Megan Rapinoe says male players won't come out until 'it is safe'

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U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe says she believes so few male players have come out because the environment is not "safe."

Rapinoe was asked why she believes there are fewer openly gay male athletes playing professional sports, during an appearance this week on Sky Sports’ "The HangOUT" show hosted by Chelsea’s Magda Eriksson and Pernille Harder, who are a couple.  

Rapinoe argued that women’s sports have presented a safer environment for athletes to come out, and she called on non-LGBTQ+ people to do more.

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Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States waves to the fans after a game between Nigeria and USWNT at Q2 Stadium on June 16, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (Wilf Thorne/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

"To everyone in the sporting culture … you have a responsibility to think about what you're saying and ensure that you're creating an environment … that is welcoming and open," Rapinoe said.

"Why aren't there any out male athletes in the elite sport? Well, it’s not safe. They don’t feel safe. They either feel that they’re going to be abused from fans, they’re going to be kicked off teams, have slurs thrown at them, whatever it is," Rapinoe added. "So it’s not safe, and until it is safe we won’t see any male players."

"I think it’s safer on the women’s side, and I think we have a lot of camaraderie just between ourselves and a lot more people coming out, which makes it easier for everyone, but I would say from the sporting directors to the club owners to the fans, to all the players, it’s your responsibility also," she continued. 

The OL Reign midfielder, known for her activism, was the first White athlete to