Megan Rapinoe Opens Up About Her Journey as a Lesbian in the World of Sports

Published: June 20, 2025

Megan Rapinoe memoir, One Life, offers a candid look at her life as a lesbian in the world of sports. The book was recently discussed on the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast, where hosts Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton delved into the book's themes of identity and perseverance.

Rapinoe's memoir was published in 2020, covers her realization of her own sexuality, watching her teammates struggle with coming to terms with theirs, and the muddled dialogue about the subject in women's sports.

The 39-year-old soccer star describes the moment she knew she was gay: during a college soccer practice when she was struck by the fact that she had a crush on her teammate. Parker and Hamilton recount this life-changing moment for Rapinoe from her memoir: "Oh my god. I've been gay this whole time. Why didn't anyone tell me?"

After this realization, Rapinoe comes out to her twin sister, Rachel, who simultaneously came out to Rapinoe. One Life focuses on times of change and maturation. After being on the United States women's national team (USWNT) for some time, Rapinoe began a discreet romance with team leader Abby Wambach — who was five years her senior at the time.

Rapinoe's Journey

Parker and Hamilton summarized the relationship as "this dynamic where (Rapinoe) thinks Abby is like the older, more serious and in-charge person." This power imbalance pushed Rapinoe to eventually end the relationship with Wambach, her teammate after the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

In July of 2012, Rapinoe decided to come out publicly. As she reflected on her fellow professional female athletes, Rapinoe noticed a lot of the players were out, just not explicitly. Parker and Hamilton highlight Rapinoe's observations of this "don't ask, don't tell" mindset.

"I think she is trying to break that barrier of like, don't ask, don't tell," the hosts said "Because she said, even amongst the team, it sounds like if you're gay, you just didn't talk about your relationship."

Though the USWNT player had never really been closeted per se, she was never explicitly open about it either — no one has ever asked her about her sexuality.

Rapinoe's Relationship with Sue Bird

The podcast episode also takes time to focus on Rapinoe's relationship with four-time WNBA Championship winner and partner of eight years, Sue Bird. The two met at the Rio Olympics while Rapinoe was engaged to another woman.

Per Parker and Hamilton — once Rapinoe has broken her engagement — the two fell "madly in love." However, Bird only came out in 2017, after the encouragement of Rapinoe. Rapinoe and Bird also launched a podcast A Touch More with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe in August.

One Life is available wherever books are sold.