Sue bird is gay

Is Sue Bird currently in a relationship?

As of 2024, Sue Bird is not publicly in a confirmed romantic relationship.

Congrats baby!” Rapinoe captioned an Instagram photo of her and Bird sharing an intimate moment courtside.

Bird told E! That she hopes she and Rapinoe can be an inspiration to LGBTQ+ youth.

"I think it's so important that when Megan and I are walking down the street, there could be a little gay kid that says, ‘Oh!

One common misconception is that female athletes are assumed to be gay unless proven otherwise—a stereotype that places undue pressure on personal privacy. She advocates for a world where being gay in sports is unremarkable—not because identities should be hidden, but because they are simply part of the diverse fabric of athletic life. The couple began dating in 2016 and became one of the most high-profile same-sex couples in sports.

The answer isn’t just biographical—it reflects larger societal shifts toward acceptance and the ongoing work needed to ensure all athletes can compete without fear of discrimination.

Why Does This Question Matter?

At first glance, 'is Sue bird gay' may seem like a simple factual inquiry. “I walked away like, 'I thought you were supposed to be cool?' We joke about it now cause she was a total dork.” [sendtonews type="float" key="YyvcNA14CB-2839329-14453"] Rapinoe came out as gay publicly in 2012.

Megan’s my girlfriend … these aren’t secrets to people who know me,” the Olympic gold medalist told the outlet.

The couple posed in the nude together for ESPN’s Body Issue.

According to a 2022 Outsports survey, over 40% of professional women athletes identify as LGBTQ+, yet many still face challenges related to coming out, sponsorship equity, and media portrayal.

Bird has spoken candidly about the importance of being open about her sexuality. “She was in her basketball uniform and she had her hair down," Rapinoe told NBC in 2021.

Another is the false belief that coming out harms team cohesion or marketability, despite evidence showing increased fan loyalty and brand value when athletes are authentic.

Additionally, some people mistakenly believe that discussing sexuality distracts from athletic performance. From features in ESPN The Magazine to appearances on talk shows, she uses her platform to highlight issues like marriage equality, transgender inclusion in sports, and mental health.

However, its recurrence in search engines suggests deeper cultural curiosity. “I have to be true to that. I think people have this assumption that if you’re not talking about it, you must be hiding it, like it’s this secret. This relationship has been central to public conversations around the question 'is Sue bird gay,' as it brought visibility to lesbian athletes in mainstream media and challenged stereotypes about sexuality in athletics.

LGBTQ+ Representation in Women’s Sports

The visibility of athletes like Sue Bird plays a crucial role in normalizing LGBTQ+ identities in sports.

Rapinoe, who came out as gay in a 2012 Out Magazine interview, is involved in a number of LGBTQ causes and organizations.

“I joke she is my No. 1 go-to-for-advice person,” Bird said of Rapinoe. She won two NCAA titles at UConn, two WNBA Championships with the Seattle Storm, four Olympic gold medals (she’s seen above with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after winning one in Rio last summer), and four EuroLeague titles.

“She’s just so level-headed.”

A former No. 1-overall pick, Bird has spent her entire 15-year career with Seattle, winning two WNBA championships (in 2004 and 2010).

Positive, respectful coverage can educate audiences and promote empathy.