referees

Marcus Griffiths, a pro official in top-tier rugby league, urges others enduring online hate to call it out.

Desiree Abrams is an NFL Replay Assistant who is out and proud as a referee in both the NFL and women's flag football.

With the NFL hiring Karina Tovar as its 4th on-field female referee, the next question is when will the league have an all-women crew.

Bill Kennedy and Che Flores are gay and trans NBA referees. The NBA has put Emirates patches on them despite anti-gay laws.

When Scott came out publicly in 2014, baseball showed him that he was welcome. Now he believes the major leagues will offer the same acceptance to their first woman umpire.

The Patriots linebacker had a two-fer in insults, using a pic of two men kissing to suggest the officials cheated on Mahomes’ behalf.

I worked my 4th LA City title game in 8 seasons, and I’ve been elected to board positions, all as an out gay man.

Flores is in their second full season with the NBA, which has warmly welcomed Flores’ new revelation.

Kennedy McDowell seems to have been targeted by a Boise State player. Thankfully, he’s “all clear,” according to Colorado State.

The Springsteen-loving soccer official shared his story on the Football v Homophobia Podcast in the week of National Coming Out Day and wants to help other LGBTQ people in the game.

Next week’s ceremony will pay tribute to Scott coming out publicly as gay while still an active umpire in 2014.

Marcus Griffiths recently received anti-gay slurs and a death threat on social media. Former ref James Child, who came out publicly in 2021, says there are issues to address.

Tyler has been the target of countless homophobic slurs and taunts from parents, coaches, players, and even his own fellow officials.

“I look the impact of integrating LGBTQ narratives into sports as my impact,” says a sports editor on this list, along with two former Olympians and people from the NBA, MMA, and a college sports.

“You must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are,” says a pro referee on this list with an Olympian, a former NFL player and a high school basketball coach.

Forman has worked behind the scenes to advance LGBTQ inclusion and is an Outsports Power 100 honoree.

Billy Van Raaphorst is a college baseball umpire working western conference and playoffs who is also publicly out as gay.

Lucy Clark is a standard-bearer for out trans officials across the world.

Mark Clattenburg has reportedly been on the receiving end of widespread abuse.

Bova has been accepted as a gay man amongst officials, and he wants other gay officials to feel the same.