Remember how I always say representations matters? Well, highly toned and incredibly chiseled representation matters, too. Ahem. Fans of everyone’s favorite not-so guilty pleasure, ESPN The Body Issue, were treated to the first-ever out gay couple on its cover this year. Pro basketball’s Sue Bird and pro soccer’s Megan Rapinoe graced the cover and pages of The Body Issue together. And it was good, it was very, very good.
As Megan told the magazine in the accompanying interview:
“I think neither of us really wants to just do things and be like, ‘We're the gay couple.’ But to have this really unique vehicle to actually do that, to celebrate who we are in our sport, but also the fact that we'll be the first gay couple, is pretty special. It's pretty amazing to think about, especially in the times we're in. Just think of how far we've come, but also the current climate and defiance in the face of that. Not only are we female athletes, but we're dating as well. It's kind of badass.”
Have I mentioned this photo shoot, even the strange lost in the forest shots, are very good? Because it is.
5 comments:
Noticed the photographer is female, too. Kudos Kittens!
The Seattle Times ran a long article about the couple...on the front page of the sports section! https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/seattle-meet-your-sports-power-couple-sue-bird-and-megan-rapinoe/
Not sure how I feel about this. Shouldn't they be on the cover for their accomplishments? Seeing naked people on ESPN websites just seems exploitave. And PS: most people look better clothed. Just my 2 cents. But consumer dollars win out over opinion. If people pay for this I think we will be seeing more of it.
I agree with the two cents above
2 more cents - I’d say they are on the cover exactly for their accomplishments...achieving peak sports performances for them in the group for consideration and being out and vocal advocates for gay rights just may have gotten them the cover.
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