U.S. Women’s soccer Olympian Ali Krieger spoke at the LGBT caucus of the Democratic National Convention, discussing equal pay and LGBTQ+ rights. Krieger, a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, has been vocal about equality in sports and society.

Krieger’s appearance at the DNC comes after her involvement in the equal pay lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation, which reached a settlement in 2022. She is also known as one of the prominent openly LGBTQ+ athletes in American sports.

Gender equity in sports

The issue of equal pay in sports remains significant. According to a 2021 study by the National Women’s Law Center:

• Women in the U.S. earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men.
• In sports, the gap can be even wider. For example, female soccer players earn 25 cents to the dollar of men at the World Cup, a 2023 CNN analysis found.

During her speech, Krieger said, “We understand that equal pay is a commitment to justice.” She referenced the women’s soccer equal pay victory, stating, “When we fight, we win. In the same way we fought for equal pay in women’s soccer, we fought and we won.”

LGBTQ+ representation in sports

Addressing LGBTQ+ issues, Krieger noted, “Many folks in our community know too well the impact of being their authentic selves may impact their health.” She emphasized the need for safe and supportive environments.

Recent data on LGBTQ+ representation in sports shows:

• A 2021 study by Outsports, The University of Winchester and the Sports Equality Foundation found that 95% of LGBTQ+ athletes reported that their teammates’ responses to their coming out were “neutral” to “perfect”.
• However, a 2021 survey by the Trevor Project found that 78% of LGBTQ+ youth reported experiencing discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

On reproductive rights, Krieger described it as “undeniably a queer issue” and “a fundamental right that must be restored.” She added, “We all deserve access, safety, and support to create our own families.”

Women in leadership

Regarding leadership, Krieger commented, “When women lead, we bring diverse perspectives and unique insights.” She encouraged attendees to recognize their leadership potential.

Data on women in sports leadership positions shows room for improvement:

• A 2021 report by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport found that women held only 32.3% of leadership positions across professional sports leagues in the United States.
• In college sports, women held only 15% of athletic director positions in NCAA Division I schools in 2020, according to the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Krieger’s speech at the DNC LGBT caucus reflects the increasing involvement of athletes in political and social discussions. Her remarks covered equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and the importance of diverse leadership.

As the 2024 election nears, Krieger’s speech highlighted several key issues for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, drawing from her experiences in sports and activism.