This article answers a common question clearly: yes, there are openly LGBTQ players in the WNBA. It lays out who is publicly out, how the league signals support through Pride initiatives, and how readers and writers can verify disclosures responsibly. The piece focuses on public, self-disclosed identities and relies on specialist and mainstream reporting to document milestones and statements, avoiding speculation and prioritizing respectful coverage.

Multiple WNBA players are publicly out, and specialist outlets keep updated lists.

The WNBA runs league Pride initiatives and teams hold Pride Nights to support inclusion.

Verify player disclosures with primary sources and date-stamped reporting before citing them.

Quick answer and what this question really asks

Short answer

Yes, multiple WNBA players are openly LGBTQ, and specialist outlets maintain updated lists documenting public disclosures and milestones; these lists are updated season by season and should be checked for the latest confirmations Outsports list of out WNBA players.

The purpose of this piece is to answer the direct question plainly while also setting expectations about what can be verified: public disclosures and reputable reporting are the basis for any list, and rosters and personal announcements change from year to year.

Confirm public disclosures with a quick verification routine

For a quick verification routine, see the checklist later in this article to confirm dates and sources before citing a player as publicly out.

Review the verification checklist on Funded Plays Challenges

Because some readers who search for player information are also interested in betting topics, note that searches like best wnba player props today refer to betting and props markets and are not relevant to personal identity reporting; this article keeps identity information separate from gambling or prop-market analysis.

Scope and limits of public information

Publicly verifiable information about a player’s identity is limited to what the player has stated publicly or what reputable outlets have reported based on confirmed statements. Specialist aggregators and mainstream outlets are common starting points for consolidated reporting, but any single-season count can vary with retirements, new disclosures, and roster moves; for consolidated lists see specialist coverage Outsports list of out WNBA players.

Respectful reporting emphasizes self-identification and direct statements rather than inference. This piece focuses on public, self-disclosed identities and on how to verify them responsibly, rather than on speculation or private details.

Why visibility in the WNBA matters and how the league signals support

League Pride initiatives

The WNBA runs league-wide Pride initiatives and teams hold Pride Nights each season, which signal institutional support for LGBTQ players and fans as part of broader inclusion efforts WNBA Pride hub.

Those visible initiatives matter because league-level support reduces stigma, helps normalize diverse identities in sports settings, and provides public moments where players and teams can celebrate inclusion without conflating identity with athletic performance.

Visibility in a professional league provides role models for younger players and reassures fans that diverse identities are part of the sport community; league events and public communications make that support visible to a wide audience WNBA Pride hub.

At the same time, institutional support does not define a player’s career or on-court achievements. Identity and performance are separate domains, and responsible coverage treats them independently while acknowledging the cultural importance of representation.

Current landscape: notable openly LGBTQ WNBA players to know

High-profile current players

Several high-profile players have publicly identified as LGBTQ and their disclosures or public milestones have been documented by both specialist and mainstream media; for an aggregated overview, specialist reporting lists multiple current stars who are publicly out Outsports list of out WNBA players.

Among widely reported examples are athletes whose personal milestones have appeared in mainstream publications; when media outlets publish those milestones they typically reference public comments or official statements, which provides verification separate from aggregated lists.

Are there any LGBTQ WNBA players?

Yes. Multiple WNBA players are openly LGBTQ, and specialist outlets alongside mainstream reporting document public disclosures. Verify specifics by checking direct player statements, reputable outlets, and official league or team communications.

Because rosters and public disclosures change, always check the date on any aggregated list and confirm with primary reporting when possible Outsports list of out WNBA players.

Examples of public milestones reported in mainstream media

Close up of a WNBA Pride themed jersey on a hanger in a blurred arena background minimal Funded Plays aesthetic focusing on fabric detail and Pride accents best wnba player props today

Some players have had personal milestones such as engagements or marriages reported in mainstream outlets; these stories are typically based on public announcements or interviews reported by general interest publications People article on Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner.

Other mainstream outlets have covered marriages and public relationships for WNBA players when those details were shared publicly by the players themselves, offering verifiable points of reference for readers who want confirmation beyond an aggregated list ESPN coverage of Breanna Stewart's marriage.

Historical milestones and trailblazers in WNBA LGBTQ visibility

Early pioneers

One of the earliest and most influential public moments in WNBA visibility was when Sheryl Swoopes publicly announced she was gay in 2005; that disclosure is widely cited as a foundational moment in how the league and broader public discuss LGBTQ athletes ESPN coverage of Sheryl Swoopes.

Alongside other early figures, those pioneering disclosures helped set a precedent that allowed later players to speak publicly when and how they chose, shaping the media context for later decades.

Key moments that changed visibility

Historical reporting from the league's early years, combined with more recent high-profile public disclosures, demonstrates a trajectory in which visibility increased as both players spoke openly and institutions responded publicly; these milestones are referenced by both specialist and mainstream outlets when discussing league culture ESPN coverage of Sheryl Swoopes.

Those earlier moments are still referenced today in discussions about visibility because they set public expectations about how athletes might disclose and how media should report those disclosures responsibly.

Landmark personal stories: Layshia Clarendon and contemporary examples

Layshia Clarendon as a landmark figure

Layshia Clarendon is recognized as the first openly nonbinary and transgender WNBA player, and the public conversation around their journey included coverage of the league's response and support when they spoke about gender-affirming care and identity ESPN story on Layshia Clarendon.

Clarendon's experience is frequently described as a watershed moment because it expanded the public conversation to include nonbinary and transgender identities within the professional women's game, and the league's public statements at the time were widely reported as supportive.

Funded Plays Challenges

Review the verification checklist on Funded Plays Challenges

Contemporary reporting on relationships and milestones

Contemporary mainstream reporting sometimes documents public relationships and milestones, such as engagements or marriages, when those are publicly shared by the athletes; these reports provide verifiable context for a player's publicly disclosed identity without intruding on privacy People article on Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner.

Responsible coverage treats those milestones as background information that confirms public identification when the athlete has chosen to make such information public, rather than as defining elements of an athlete’s career or on-court value.

How to verify who is publicly out: reliable sources and a step-by-step approach

Trusted outlets and specialist lists

Start with specialist outlets that maintain consolidated, regularly updated lists of out athletes, and then cross-check those lists against mainstream reporting and official league or team communications for confirmation; specialist lists have been used to track WNBA disclosures in recent seasons Outsports list of out WNBA players, and other aggregators such as Autostraddle.

Primary sources to prefer include direct player statements, official team press releases, and league communications, which together reduce the risk of repeating unverified claims.

quick verification of public identity claims

Date of report
Source name
Direct quote
Player statement
Team announcement

Prefer primary source quotes

Verification checklist

Use a short step-by-step routine when you confirm a player's public identification: 1) check the publication date, 2) identify whether the piece quotes the player directly, 3) confirm the outlet's reputation, 4) cross-check with league or team statements if available, and 5) date-stamp your own citation for future readers Outsports list of out WNBA players. See our post on how Funded Plays evaluations work.

When in doubt, rely on direct player statements or official communications. That reduces harm from speculation and ensures any list you publish is responsibly sourced and time-stamped for future verification.

How WNBA coverage intersects with other topics like betting and props

Why this article is not about betting

This article focuses on identity reporting and verification; it deliberately avoids treating personal identity as relevant to betting markets or player props because mixing those topics is inappropriate and distracts from respectful coverage.

Readers searching for best wnba player props today are looking for betting and prop-market information; if you want that content, seek dedicated betting and analytics pages rather than identity-focused reporting, which should remain factual and respectful.

How to avoid mixing identity reporting with betting narratives

Writers and editors should keep separate editorial tracks for human-focused coverage and for betting or statistical analysis, and avoid headlines or leads that tie a player’s identity to their market value or prop lines.

Keeping those beats distinct protects players' privacy and preserves the integrity of both types of coverage.

Common misunderstandings and pitfalls to avoid

Speculation vs public disclosure

A common mistake is to treat social media rumors or private behavior as confirmation of identity; only public self-identification or reliable reporting should be used when naming someone as LGBTQ, and specialist lists help by compiling verified public disclosures Outsports list of out WNBA players.

Another pitfall is relying on dated articles that do not reflect recent retirements or new disclosures; always check the publication date and update any aggregated list accordingly.

Mistakes in aggregating lists

Aggregators can accidentally repeat unverified claims from social posts or outdated pieces, so best practice is to document the source and date for each entry in any list you publish and to remove or flag items that lack primary confirmation.

Date-stamping and linking to the original reporting are simple ways to keep a list honest and useful for readers and future updates.

Practical guide: how fans and writers should talk about players respectfully

Language and pronoun guidance

Use the names and pronouns that players use publicly, avoid assigning labels without confirmation, and prefer neutral language that recognizes personal agency rather than imposing identity categories.

When reporting, provide context and source: attribute identity details to a direct quote or to a reputable outlet that quotes the player, and avoid framing identity as a headline-grabbing novelty.

When to respect privacy

Respect privacy by avoiding intrusive questions about personal life and by refraining from speculating on aspects of a player's identity they have not spoken about publicly.

If a player chooses not to discuss personal matters, treat that choice as the default position and focus coverage on their career and public statements.

Examples and scenarios: Pride Nights, personal milestones, and media coverage

How teams run Pride Nights

Teams typically mark Pride Nights with visible elements such as themed apparel, in-arena activations, and community programming that signals inclusion and invites fan participation; the league's Pride hub outlines how these initiatives are coordinated league-wide WNBA Pride hub.

These events provide public moments for fans and players to celebrate inclusion, but they do not replace the need for ongoing institutional support and careful, respectful media coverage.

How media covers personal milestones

When athletes publicly share milestones like marriages or engagements, mainstream outlets may report those events, typically referencing direct announcements or interviews that make the information verifiable People article on Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner.

Responsible media coverage emphasizes consent and confirmation, avoids sensationalizing private life, and treats such milestones as part of a broader profile rather than its defining element.

What the current visibility trend means for the league and sport culture

Implications for fans and young players

Growing visibility means more role models and a clearer signal that professional basketball is a place where diverse identities can be seen and supported; specialist and league reporting together help make that visibility accessible to fans and aspiring athletes Outsports list of out WNBA players.

For young players, seeing professionals who are openly LGBTQ can reduce isolation and expand the sense of possibility about a sporting future that includes authenticity and competitive success.

Possible future directions

Visibility will continue to vary seasonally as players retire, sign with teams, or choose to share personal details publicly; institutional support and responsible media practices will shape how that visibility is experienced and interpreted.

The most constructive path is continued public support from the league and teams, paired with respectful, evidence-based reporting that centers players' own statements.

Quick checklist for writers and readers verifying player information

Five-step verification checklist

1) Confirm the player publicly stated their identity or a reputable outlet quoted the player directly. 2) Check the publication date to ensure the information is current. 3) Prefer primary sources such as player statements, team releases, or league communications. 4) Use specialist lists for an aggregated overview, but cross-check each entry before republishing. 5) Date-stamp your own citation and note the original source for transparency Outsports list of out WNBA players, or consult recent compilations such as Write Through the Night.

Example of a short attribution line: Player Name said in an interview on [date] that they identify as [identity], as reported by [outlet]. That format keeps sourcing transparent and verifiable.

Further resources and where to follow updates

Reliable outlets to follow

For ongoing updates, follow specialist outlets that compile out athlete lists, the WNBA's official Pride hub, and the Funded Plays blog; outlets such as SFBay Times offer additional coverage Outsports list of out WNBA players.

Also monitor reputable mainstream reporting for profiles and milestone coverage, and prefer direct player statements when available to confirm identity-related information.

Official league and team sources

WNBA.com and team press releases are primary sources for official statements about league initiatives and team-level programming, and they are useful when confirming whether a team is running a Pride Night or making a related announcement WNBA Pride hub.

When in doubt about a specific player disclosure, cross-check specialist lists, mainstream coverage, and any team or league statements before treating a claim as confirmed.

Conclusion: supporting visibility with accuracy and respect

Multiple WNBA players are openly LGBTQ, and that visibility is supported by both specialist reporting and league Pride initiatives; these combined sources help readers and reporters confirm public disclosures responsibly Outsports list of out WNBA players.

Respectful coverage centers player self-identification, prefers primary sources, and avoids speculation. Because rosters and public disclosures change, always verify with current-season reporting before citing any list.

How many WNBA players are openly LGBTQ?

Counts change seasonally; specialist outlets maintain updated lists, and numbers should be verified against current-season reporting.

Does the WNBA officially support LGBTQ players?

Yes, the league runs Pride initiatives and team Pride Nights as public support mechanisms, and the WNBA has a Pride hub outlining those efforts.

How should I verify a player's public identification?

Check for direct player statements, reputable reporting, official team or league communications, and date-stamp sources before citing.

Visibility in the WNBA is the product of both player decisions and institutional support. Readers and writers can contribute to a healthy public conversation by relying on direct statements and reputable reporting, and by respecting privacy when players choose not to disclose personal details. Because rosters and public disclosures change, always check current-season reporting and date-stamp any list or citation you publish.