What a nice 12 months it has been in domestic soccer for diversity and progress. In terms of culture, two of the big stories during the last year were former Major League Soccer player David Testo coming out and U.S. Olympian Megan Rapinoe coming out shortly before the 2012 London Games.
And how about this to punctuate a swell period of progress: Rapinoe was just honored by the LA Gay and Lesbian Center during last weekend’s Anniversary Gala.
Rapinoe received the center’s Board of Directors Award for coming out as a high-profile athlete, and for counting herself among the few outwardly gay competitors during the London Olympic Games.
Rapinoe has been a wonderful spokesperson and role model for U.S. Soccer, a marketing and PR dream who is blessed with ample playing talent and personality. She certainly knows how to deliver short, moving and meaningful “thank you.” Watch her acceptance speech from the weekend’s gala.
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