WNBA Player Out and Proud
Michele Van Gorp, a player for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx is that rarest of athletes: someone who is out and proud. Van Gorp, who says "I've never been in the closet,’" nonetheless caused a minor stir when she spoke openly about being a lesbian to Lavender, a gay and lesbian magazine in the Twin Cities. Articles appeared in mainstream Minneapolis-area newspapers and was the topic of discussion on talk radio. Story

A Pro Golfer's Public Coming Out
Rosie Jones has won 13 events during her 21 years as a professional golfer, but her biggest splash likely occurred Sunday when she came out publicly as a lesbian in a column in the New York Times. Jones, 44, wrote in “First, a Word About Me and My Sponsor” that the impetus behind her public declaration was her association with a new sponsor, Olivia, a lesbian travel company. Story
Related: Pat Griffin's open letter to Rosie Jones

Firefighter Jock Out, Proud in a Man's World
Dubbed the triple whammy by USA Today, firefighter Juliet Draper is black, female and gay and out. The former powerlifting and bodybuilding champion has carved a life for herself and her partner in Colorado Springs, a conservative city home to dozens of Christian groups, many of them anti-gay. Story

2003-04 Women's Basketball Preview:
For women’s college basketball enthusiasts the upcoming 2003-04 season should be nothing short of spectacular. Depth and experience will be the key factors for the nation’s top teams this year as many programs return loads of talent. The race to become the belle of the bayou may very likely result in a team other than UConn or Tennessee wearing the crown when all is said and done. This, at the end of a season when a loss for the Huskies or Lady Vols won’t necessarily be considered an upset. Parity will be shown in its greatest form this season as many teams boast superstars surrounded by great support. Story

Women in Gay Sports History
l Babe Didrikson Zaharias: Golfing Amazon of the newsreels
l The Olympics: The Early Days of Gender Testing
l Amelia Earhart: 'Odd Girl' of Air Racing
l Gay Stallions and Tomboy Mares
 

Homophobia Alleged in Softball Program
Andrea Zimbardi, an honor student and a senior captain on the University of Florida's softball team, was kicked off the Gators’ squad in March. Her coach told her it was because Zimbardi had spread lies and misconceptions about an assistant coach and about the program. Zimbardi, though, suspects the real reason is that she’s a lesbian. Story
Update: Florida Settles With Lesbian Athlete

Ex-Coach a Trailblazer for Athletes' Rights
“I’m just an old basketball coach,” Helen Carroll, 50, says in a self-deprecating way that belies her effectiveness as an advocate. In her job with the NCLR, Carroll is at the forefront of fighting discrimination against gays and lesbians in high school, college and pro sports. Story

Why Sorenstam Matters
When pro golfer Anika Sorenstam teed it up with men, it became the sports story of the month. Despite not making the cut, Sorenstam proved she belonged. And her grace under pressure may help show the way one day for out athletes. Story

NCAA Women's Preview
Is this the year for Duke in women's basketball? Preview

Wicks and Piazza: A Double Standard
The reactions to Mike Piazza and Sue Wicks confirm that there's a double standard when reporting on the sexuality of male and female athletes. The media--and by extension the public--seems much more fascinated with the identity of gay male athletes. Story

Lesbian Pro Footballer Speaks Out
In Philadelphia, a former National Women's Football League player is talking about homophobia she saw playing for the Philadelphia Liberty Belles.  Story

Lesbians Kiss-In
A group of lesbians, fed up with the New York Liberty's refusal to have a gay pride night, had a kiss-in during a Liberty WNBA game against Miami. Story

Still A Front Runner
With the Boston Marathon this week, we turn our attentions to a time when only men were allowed to run and a few brave women dared challenge the male-dominated sport of distance running.  One of those women was Patricia Nell Warren, author of The Frontrunner, who blazed a trail not only for women, but for gay athletes. Story

Wimbledon is the lesbian Super Bowl 
Instead of watching the WNBA, I spend the latter part of June and early July watching along with countless others of my sister lesbians, the most important sports event of the year for women …Wimbledon.
Columnist Mindy Tanner

Making A Difference - Lorrie Kim
Lorrie founded and operates a wonderful organization called Rainbow Ice that tackles issues of homosexuality in the sport of figure skating.  Story.

 Out Athletes
From Martina to Amelie, Patty Sheehan to Diana Nyad, women have led the way for those who are openly gay and lesbian to participate in sports.  Here we have the most comprehensive list of top level out athletes.