(Retired/USA): A legendary figure who used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career.
While many professional soccer players identify as LGBTQ+, only a small number of male players are currently "out" and active at the highest professional levels as of 2026. In contrast, female professional soccer has a long history of prominent openly gay and queer athletes. gay soccers players
: A former Premier League referee who came out in 2025. 20 Professional Men's Soccer Players Who Have Come Out (Retired/USA): A legendary figure who used her platform
(Loudoun United/USL): Martin came out in 2018 while playing for Minnesota United in the MLS and continues to play professionally in the United States. : A former Premier League referee who came out in 2025
: The first openly gay man to play in a major North American professional sports league (MLS).