Outreach to all fans is point of pride for Dash
Just over a year ago, Melissa’s 16-year old daughter sat in the kitchen crying as she forced out the words, “Mom, I think I’m gay. I’m sorry.”
Melissa, 42, didn’t know what to say, so she threw her arms around her daughter, hugged her, and repeated the words over and over. “I love you.” On Friday, it seemed like a lot more than a year had gone by since that night in their home in Missouri City.
The two sat at the Houston Dash-Portland Thorns game at BBVA Compass Stadium cheering on the home team, decked out in their official Pride uniforms with rainbow numbers.
The Dash, who are part of the National Women's Soccer League, were among many teams in the league that held an official “Pride Night” during Pride Month.
Melissa attended a few official pride events this month with her daughter, but the soccer match was her favorite.
“She plays soccer at her high school and recently came out to a few of her teammates,” Melissa said. “A few of the Dash players are out, and I know she looks up to them. Seeing people you look up to comfortable in their own skin and celebrating that goes a long way.”
For Melissa, the night was another step in supporting her daughter. She hoped other families had similar experiences.
“I wish every team would do this, honestly,” Melissa said. “Kids look up to athletes. I would love to see more of them say it’s OK to be who you are.”
More and more sports teams are publicly supporting the LGBT community, and hopefully, more will.
Most teams in the NWSL hosted a pride night this month. Every WNBA team scheduled one, and 23 MLB teams (the Astros not among them) officially promoted one on their June calendars.
During the season, the NBA
champion Golden State Warriors held an LGBT Pride Night, and on Sunday, several NBA staff members, including commissioner Adam Silver, marched in New York’s annual Pride Parade.
Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger was one of the players on the field Friday looking at a group of fans enjoying the balmy Houston night. There were rainbow decorations and cheers from the stands.
Henninger recently spoke about being a lesbian to Houston’s Outsmart Magazine. She said she’s been out to her family and friends for a long time.
“I am really comfortable with who I am,” she said. “I guess I just haven’t really talked about it a lot publicly. I just tend to keep my personal life private; that’s all. I am definitely not ashamed, though.”
Henninger said she finally started talking about her sexual orientation because she hopes it might help others struggling to come out or to find support.
“If I can touch even one person, I am happy to talk about this,” she said. “I didn’t have a hard time coming out. I had a lot of support from the people who love me. I know I am lucky, because that isn’t the case for a lot of people.”
In leagues like the NWSL and WNBA, several athletes are publicly out. Professional basketball player Sue Bird and pro soccer player Megan Rapinoe became the first gay couple to be featured on the cover of ESPN the Magazine as the two were photographed together for the Body Issue.
In the major men’s sports leagues, however, no active player is openly gay. Last year, soccer player Robbie Rogers of the Galaxy retired. He was the first openly gay male in a major men’s professional league.
No NBA, NFL, MLB or NHL player ever came out while active, though some did after their careers. Former Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam came out before being drafted by the Rams but never played in a regular-season game.
While an athlete’s personal life is his to share or keep private, the barriers that will be broken when one comes out are hard to ignore.
“I hope eventually we get to the point where it’s just no big deal when an athlete is gay,” Henninger said. “But right now, it still matters to a lot of people. I hope we can make a difference and help anyone who is unsure about coming out.”
One of the ways Henninger and teams like the Dash are helping is by hosting nights celebrating the LGBT community and creating a safe space.
“I think any time there’s a place where my daughter can go and be herself and not fear bullying or hatred, it’s a great thing,” Melissa said. “The Dash gave that to us by having this game. You shouldn’t have to go places you enjoy and hide, but a lot of people do.”
That needs to change. Hopefully, every team in every sport will see that and follow suit.
A point should come when this won’t be a conversation topic. An athlete’s being gay won’t be taboo or even newsworthy.
It will be thanks to athletes like 2018 Olympians Gus Kenworthy and Adam Rippon and ones who, like Bird and Rapinoe, share details of their relationship, and Henninger, who shares her story to help others.
“I am so happy to live in a city where at least one of the teams celebrates the community my daughter is in,” Melissa said. “I want her to feel comfortable in her own skin. And I want her to be proud of who she is. I’m glad the Dash want that for her and others, too.”