Her response to a potential invitation to the White House? Pure gold.
BY RACHEL BADHAM. IMAGE JAMIE SMED.
Captain of the US women’s football team (and queer dreamboat) Megan Rapinoe, has caused a stir by saying that she wouldn’t be going to the, and we quote, “fucking White House,” even if her team won the World Cup in France.
It has become customary for sports teams to visit the White House – and therefore the President of the US – after a major win such as the World Cup, however since Trump won the presidential elections in 2016, some teams have refused to partake in this tradition as a result of Trump’s controversial views which often marginalise women, people of colour, and the LGBTQI community.
An outspoken LGBTQI rights advocate, Rapinoe has always been open about her sexuality. Her and her partner, WNBA basketball star Sue Bird, were the first same-sex couple to be featured on the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue in 2018.
She’s also one of the players who is suing the US Soccer Federation due to the pay gap between the men’s and women’s football team – especially insulting considering the women’s team reportedly plays more games and has had more overall success (sounds familiar, lads).
Whatever happens at the Final, Rapinoe has made it very clear that she will not engage with Trump, saying: “I’m not going to the White House. We’re not going to be invited, I doubt it.”
Despite backlash, with some even claiming the football star is “unpatriotic,” Megan says that she stands by her statement (besides her only apology, which was for expressing her views using an obscenity).
Megan has encouraged her team mates to also consider boycotting Trump, as he, “doesn’t fight for the same things” that the team stands for.
We hear you, Rapinoe.
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