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Sports

Gay sports stars

Published 10:33 AM EDT, Mon May 11, 2015
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LA Galaxy star Robbie Rogers says attitudes to homosexuality in sport have to change.
LA Galaxy star Robbie Rogers says attitudes to homosexuality in sport have to change.
Rogers announced he was gay in 2013 and initially retired from football at the age of 25 before making a return with the Galaxy.
Rogers announced he was gay in 2013 and initially retired from football at the age of 25 before making a return with the Galaxy.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
England international striker Fashanu was the first footballer to come out as gay. Fashanu was also the first £1 million black footballer in the UK, but he struggled to cope with the scars of his revelation. He committed suicide in 1998.
England international striker Fashanu was the first footballer to come out as gay. Fashanu was also the first £1 million black footballer in the UK, but he struggled to cope with the scars of his revelation. He committed suicide in 1998.
Allsport
In 2011, Anton Hysen became only the second active footballer to come out as being gay -- more than 20 years after Justin Fashanu did so. While Fashanu was a high-profile star in England, Hysen plays in Sweden's lower leagues.
In 2011, Anton Hysen became only the second active footballer to come out as being gay -- more than 20 years after Justin Fashanu did so. While Fashanu was a high-profile star in England, Hysen plays in Sweden's lower leagues.
Fredrik Holmblad
Former NBA player John Amaechi, who was raised in Britain, broke barriers as the first professional basketballer to announce he was gay in 2007. He made the revelations in his autobiography after retiring from the game.
Former NBA player John Amaechi, who was raised in Britain, broke barriers as the first professional basketballer to announce he was gay in 2007. He made the revelations in his autobiography after retiring from the game.
Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images
In 2013, Jason Collins became the first active NBA player to announce that he was gay. Collins played for the likes of the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets  over a 13-year professional career. He retired in 2014.
In 2013, Jason Collins became the first active NBA player to announce that he was gay. Collins played for the likes of the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets over a 13-year professional career. He retired in 2014.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Sport's biggest lesbian star is 18-time grand slam tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who announced she was gay shortly after gaining U.S. citizenship in 1981. Her revelation came relatively early in her career and she went on to win many more titles.
Sport's biggest lesbian star is 18-time grand slam tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who announced she was gay shortly after gaining U.S. citizenship in 1981. Her revelation came relatively early in her career and she went on to win many more titles.
Allsport UK /Allsport
American four-time Olympic gold medallist Greg Louganis came out as gay when he was diagnosed with HIV in 1988. He told CNN's Piers Morgan in 2012 he believes in "equal rights for everybody."
American four-time Olympic gold medallist Greg Louganis came out as gay when he was diagnosed with HIV in 1988. He told CNN's Piers Morgan in 2012 he believes in "equal rights for everybody."
Pascal Rondeau/ALLSPORT
Former Wales rugby union captain Gareth Thomas described the conflict between his sport and his sexuality when he came out in 2009, telling the Daily Mail newspaper: "It is barbaric. I could never have come out without first establishing myself and earning respect as a player."
Former Wales rugby union captain Gareth Thomas described the conflict between his sport and his sexuality when he came out in 2009, telling the Daily Mail newspaper: "It is barbaric. I could never have come out without first establishing myself and earning respect as a player."
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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