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Megan Rapinoe becomes first openly gay woman to pose for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue

The soccer star calls her feature a ‘bold statement’

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Megan Rapinoe is the first openly gay woman to pose for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.

The U.S. Women’s Soccer midfielder and Seattle Reign FC captain posed along with her teammates Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Abby Dahlkemper.

“I think it’s really quite a bold statement by Sports Illustrated to be honest because it has been seen as sort of this magazine only for heterosexual males. I think so often with gay females in sports there’s this particular stereotype about it and there’s such a narrow view of what it means to be gay and be athletic. So, to kind of just blow that up and do something totally different I think is really important,” Rapinoe, who was the guest editor of the Washington Blade’s sports issue in 2014, told Sports Illustrated. “I think our view is still way too narrow of gay people in general. Stereotypes still very much persist and they are just such incomplete views of who we really are as people, so I think for that reason it’s really important to just continue to push those boundaries.”

Rapinoe has made history being featured in a publication before. She and her girlfriend WNBA player Sue Bird were the first same-sex couple to be featured in ESPN’s annual Body Issue in 2018.

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PHOTOS: Shenandoah Valley Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Turner Pavilion in Harrisonburg, Va.

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A scene from the 2026 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The 2026 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival was held at Turner Pavilion in Harrisonburg, Va. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

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PHOTOS: Walk and 5K to End HIV

Whitman-Walker Health holds 40th annual event

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A scene from the 2026 Walk and 5K to End HIV on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Whitman-Walker Health held the 40th annual Walk and 5K to End HIV at Anacostia Park on Saturday, Sept. 19.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Wanda Alston Foundation Fall Reception

LGBTQ youth services organization honors Robert White, Japer Bowles, Washington Capitals

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Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee at the Wanda Alston Foundation 2026 Fall Reception. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wanda Alston Foundation held its Fall Reception at the Penthouse Rooftop at The Wharf on Friday, Sept. 18. Honorees included D.C. Councilmember Robert White, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs Japer Bowles, and the Washington Capitals. Rayceen Pendarvis served as the emcee and entertainment was provided by the Thomas Circle Singers.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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