The footballer spoke candidly about her sexuality ahead of the release of her memoir
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY JAMES BOYES/FLICKR
Lioness Mary Earps has confirmed that she is in a “happy” relationship with a woman, marking one of the first times she’s spoken candidly about her sexuality.
Ahead of the publication of her memoir, Mary Earps: All In: Football, Life And Learning To Be Unapologetically Me, the goalkeeper told the BBC that she was ready to talk about her sexuality openly.
In a statement to the BBC, Mary said: “I’ve always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one, but it would have felt inauthentic not to include something so important to me in this book.”
“I’m in a really happy relationship. The people closest to me have always known, and I feel ready and happy to share that with everyone else now.”
The Paris Saint-Germain was a crucial player in the Lionesses’ first Euros win as well as the team’s performance at the Women’s World Cup in 2023. In the same year, she was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Over the last decade, LGBTQIA+ representation in professional women’s football has risen massively. Mary is joining former and current Lionesses like Beth Mead, Jill Scott and Jess Carter who are all openly waving the rainbow flag high.
Mary’s manager, Tina Taylor, told the BBC that the footballer hopes being open about her sexuality will “inspire people around the world to find the confidence to live authentically”.
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