How Many WNBA Players Are Gay? Everything You Need to Know

Professional sports used to reward athletes based on their physical endowment, but LGBTQ+ players encountered significant obstacles. Throughout history, several athletic figures had to conceal their identities due to biases as well as unfair treatment. A positive change has occurred within the professional sports world because leagues are making progress toward acceptance, and players gain confidence to express themselves without hiding their identities. As per the recent analysis, there are 38 percent of WNBA gay players, as per the researchgate analysis.

The WNBA positions itself in front of professional sports leagues because it presents the most welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ athletes like Diana Taurasi. Throughout its history, this league has established complete support for diversity. The WNBA extends its support to LGBTQ+ athletes by providing them platforms where they can be openly themselves and simultaneously celebrate their sports contributions, which makes the league a leading authority in sports inclusivity.

What Percentage of WNBA Players Are Gay?

Determining the exact percentage of WNBA players who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual is challenging due to personal privacy and varying levels of public disclosure. So, what percentage of WNBA players are gay? In 2022, Outsports reported that 20% of WNBA players on current rosters were publicly out as LGBTQ+. Also answering the question, what percentage of WNBA players are lesbian, is 38%.

By 2024, the number of openly LGBTQ+ players had increased. A report from Write Through the Night listed 41 active players who had come out publicly. Given that the WNBA comprises 12 teams with 12 roster spots each, totaling 144 players, these figures suggest that approximately 38% of players were openly LGBTQ+ in 2024. Below is a comparison of the number of openly gay players in the WNBA in 2022 and 2024:

The reported statistics involve players who share their sexual orientation with the public. The WNBA could hold more LGBTQ+ players than current statistics show, since certain individuals supposedly maintain secrecy about their sexual orientation.

How LGBTQ+ Representation in Sports Has Evolved?

The representation of queer athletes in the sporting world has increased rapidly in the past few decades. One of the trailblazing events igniting the rise of LGBTQ+ athletes has been the repealing of mandatory gender testing by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1999. Since then, there has been a steady rise in the participation of queer players in sports. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there was a record number of 186 LGBTQ+ athletes participating in the event. That number increased significantly with the 2024 Paris Olympics, seeing 191 athletes participate in the event.

A significant portion of the WNBA is considered to be dominated by LGBTQ+ players. The W is known to be an inclusive and queer affirmative league and. As per a 2022 study, approximately 20% of WNBA players identify as lesbians. The league has always supported its players discussing their sexual orientation and relationships almost since its inception. In a way, the WNBA has been one of the trail blazers of starting with the inclusion of LGBTQ+ players in sports.

Famous Gay WNBA Players

Through its leadership, the WNBA functions as an LGBTQ+ advocate. Many of its female athletes use their platforms to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. We have listed some WNBA players who are a great representation of the community. Without further ado, let's get to know more about the most popular gay players in the WNBA.

#1: Sue Bird

While we count what percentage of WNBA players are gay, Sue Bird is one of the foremost names. She claimed fame as a historic WNBA champion who has earned 13 All-Star selections and plans to enter the Hall of Fame, while players consider her among the best basketball players ever. In 2017, the professional athlete announced her gay identity to the public while revealing her romantic bond with Megan Rapinoe from the United States Soccer team. She is one of the most outspoken gay players in the WNBA.

During her time away from basketball, Bird dedicates herself to advocating for equality among gender groups, as well as LGBTQ+ rights, alongside social justice initiatives. She uses her immense support for WNBA activist work to join anti-racism initiatives. She also makes efforts to promote diversity within LGBTQ+ communities.

#2: Brittney Griner

The Phoenix Mercury set history in 2013 by choosing Brittney Griner as their first selection in the WNBA draft. If we count what percentage of WNBA players are gay, Griner has always been open about her identity, making her one of the outspoken gay players in the WNBA. Since the start of her professional career, Griner has demonstrated outspokenness regarding her identity while confronting discriminatory challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes. Basketball takes up most of her time, but she makes additional efforts to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion and promote mental health awareness.

Brittney’s activism took a central role following her unlawful imprisonment in Russia in 2022, when numerous people demanded her freedom. During her detention period, both the WNBA and the LGBTQ+ community showed their strong support for her, which solidified her position.

#3: Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne, the two-time WNBA MVP and skilled league legend, came out in 2016 when she revealed her engagement to Amanda Clifton, her long-term partner. If we count what percentage of WNBA players are gay, Delle Donne revealed her sexual identity after experiencing family support, which allowed her to approach it with determination.

The Washington Mystics player, through her exceptional performances on the court, secured massive popularity that she dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusivity and awareness campaigns. Through her advocacy, she supports disability rights by strongly standing by her disabled and blind, and deaf sister Lizzie.

#4: Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi has been one of the most openly gay WNBA players. She married her former teammate Penny Taylor on May 13, 2017. The couple also shares a son, whom Taylor gave birth to in 2018. Diana Taurasi has been quite vocal about her openly lesbian relationship and can often be seen praising or hyping her partner on social media or through interviews.

In a Game 5 win in the playoffs semifinals in October 2021, Taurasi had a sweet message for Taylor, who was giving birth to their daughter. During the post-game interview, Taurasi said, “Hold it in babe, I'm coming,” and flew back to Phoenix, arriving in time to witness Taylor giving birth to their daughter on October 9, 2021. Taurasi is indeed a queer icon and a trail blazer for LGBTQ+ people finding respect and footing at the highest level in sports.

#5: Seimone Augustus

As a WNBA champion, Olympic winner, and top competitor in league history, Seimone Augustus has stood as an LGBTQ+ rights supporter throughout her professional career. Through her 2012 public announcement, she confirmed her sexuality as gay and championed the fight for marriage equality in America, which made major contributions to opening professional sports to the LGBTQ+ community at a time when few players were out.

Augustus brings her support for both LGBTQ+ inclusion and racial justice through her work beyond basketball competitions. Through public conversations, she has emphasized LGBTQ+ athletic difficulties and actively built a welcoming future for young LGBTQ+ athletes. The retirement of her active career has not slowed down her commitment to basketball. Seimone now serves as a coach while mentoring others in addition to pushing forward sports equality initiatives.

What is the Impact of Gay WNBA players on the game?

The gay WNBA players have been able to highlight the talents and skills of queer basketball players into the spotlight. At the moment, we are witnessing a record-breaking rise in the popularity of the league. Although the historic draft class of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese should be given much of the credit for the W's rise, the league's viewership was already on an upward trajectory from years prior. However, a huge factor contributing to the rise of the W in the long run has been its lesbian fan base. Rebecca Lobo summed it up brilliantly on how WNBA became accommodative as a queer affirmative league and space when she said, “When chasing the desirability of straight men and ‘Middle America’ didn’t produce the kind of prosperity the league dreamed of, the WNBA made room for the LGBT fans that had been there all along.”

In a way, the WNBA has made the acceptance of queer athletes in the hoops and sporting community to become mainstream.

Is the WNBA the Most LGBTQ+ Friendly League?

The WNBA indeed is one of the most queer affirmative and LGBTQ+ friendly professional sports league. The W always shared a history of embracing LGBTQ+ athletes and fans and became one of the first major sports leagues to publicly market itself to the LGBTQ+ community. The league has time and again proven with its record of promoting inclusivity and diversity both on and off the court. Furthermore, the league also hosts and organizes Pride events and campaigns, showing its commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and representation.