Seattle Reign Is First Pro Female Team to Join You Can Play Project

The new women's professional soccer team -- including out Olympian Megan Rapinoe -- is the first women's team to join the campaign.

Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.

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Sunnivie Brydum

August 01 2013 7:51 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Out olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe's new team is making waves as the first U.S. professional women's team to join the You Can Play Project, dedicated to fighting homophobia in sports.

The Seattle Reign -- part of the newly formed eight-team National Women's Soccer League -- will work with You Can Play to reach out to fans, players, and staff in providing education and media support to make professional sports more welcoming to LGBT athletes.

"I am excited that we are partnering with You Can Play and helping them take the steps that are needed to eradicate homophobia in professional sports," said midfielder Jess Fishlock in a statement announcing the partnership. "It's something I support 100% and I am honored to play for the first professional women's team aligned with this cause."

While the Seattle Reign are the first professional women's team to join the You Can Play project, the campaign has already partnered with teams in the National Football League, National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer.