Coming out in professional sports

Sports Free

The campaign

“Sports Free” is fighting for queer athletes in professional sports who still have to hide their identity.

With your support, you are making “Group coming out in professional sports” possible. This is not only a call for athletes, but for everyone – athletes, children, youth and the whole society. It is a chance to send a clear message: “How do we want to live? Who do we want to be?”

Starting on IDAHOBIT on May 17, 2024, Diversero hereby declares the 17th of every month as the worldwide “Sports Free Day”. On this day, actions can take place around the world to raise awareness of the challenges that queer athletes face in professional sports and to offer them our unconditional support.

Campaign updates

08.08.2024

FK Austria Wien: First Austrian club joins ‘Sports Free’ campaign

26.07.2024

‘Red Devils’ stand up for diversity: 1. FC Kaiserslautern supports ‘Sports Free’

25.07.2024

Olympic Games in Paris: Visibility for queer athletes through cooperation with the US Embassy in Germany

15.05.2024

Jobrad sets an example: Record donation for ‘Sports Free’ at SC Freiburg

08.05.2024

VfL Wolfsburg is committed to diversity with ‘Sports Free’

10.04.2024

Hannover 96 donates to ‘Sports Free’ and sends a strong signal

05.04.2024

Jobrad enthusiastic about ‘Sports Free’ and plans campaign for Bundesliga match

26.03.2024

Hannover 96 supports ‘Sports Free’ campaign

07.02.2024

FC St. Pauli fans show solidarity: Donation for ‘Sports Free’

30.01.2024

VfL Osnabrück collects 2007 euros for ‘Sports Free’

23.01.2024

SC Freiburg supports ‘Sports Free’ with a generous donation

03.01.2024

VfL Osnabrück sets creative example for “Sports Free”

21.12.2023

SC Freiburg wants to help “Sports Free” with financial and media support

04.12.2023

FC St. Pauli strengthens “Sports Free” with donation and podcast

15.11.2023

Borussia Dortmund’s generosity gives “Sports Free” new momentum

14.11.2023

Launch of the “Sports Free” campaign and introduction of “Sports Free Day”

15.09.2023

Union Berlin promotes “Sports Free” and President Zingler becomes interview partner

23.08.2023

VfB Stuttgart signals support for “Sports Free”

Our supporters

Storytelling & Safe Space for Athletes

Researching and publishing stories of already out people in professional sports and creating a safe platform for personal, safe coming-outs

Dirk Elbrächter

Head of Content Management at TSG Hoffenheim

Jakub Jankto

Professional football player, currently playing for Cagliari Calcio in Serie A, 45-time Czech international

Zander Murray

Active professional footballer, Scottish League, campaigning against homophobia in football

Josh Cavallo

Professional Footballer, active member of Australia's A-League, committed to LGBTQ+ rights​

Collin Martin

Professional soccer player, active member of the USL Championship, committed to LGBTQ+ rights

Oliver Egger

Footballer, Teacher, Ombudsman for the ÖFB ombudsman's office "Football for all" against sexual discrimination and homophobia

Alexander Wehrle

Chairman of the Executive Board of VfB Stuttgart, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DFB GmbH

Thomas Hitzlsperger

Sports official, sports commentator, ex-professional footballer

Marcus Urban

Co-Founder Diversero, Managing Director Association for Diversity in Sport and Society, Systemic Coach, Speaker, Ex Professional Footballer

Justin Fashanu

First outed active professional footballer in football history

“Hide and Seek – The Long Road to Freedom”

Production of a film series with in-depth insights into the individual coming out processes in professional sport, including the confrontations and challenges

Your donation will be used for

Storytelling

Researching and publishing stories of professional athletes who have already come out

Safe Space for Athletes

Creating a secure online platform that offers athletes the opportunity to come out in an individual and protected way

“Hide and Seek – The Long Road to Freedom”

Production of a film series with in-depth insights into the individual coming out processes in professional sport, including the confrontations and challenges

Education & support

Provide services for sports organizations to promote a more inclusive sports world
Coming out in professional sports

Sports Free