A Japanese soccer player who competes in the United Statesā National Womenās Soccer League announced that they are transgender.
Kumi Yokoyama, a 27-year-old forward for the Washington Spirit, made the announcement over the weekend on former teammate Yuki Nagasatoās YouTube channel.
āIām coming out now,ā Yokoyama said. āIn the future, I want to quite soccer and live as a man.ā
āWe support and are so proud of you Kumi,ā the Spirit tweeted. āThank you for showing the world itās OK to embrace who you are!ā
According to The Associated Press, Yokoyama said theyāve had more comfort with their gender identity since moving to the United States, as transgender is not a legally recognized identity in Japan.
The AP reported that LGBTQ people in Japan lack legal protections and suffer discrimination, leading many to hide their sexual identities. Transgender people in Japan must have their reproductive organs removed in order to have their gender recognized on official documents.
Yokoyama, who played in the 2019 Womenās World Cup, said they would not have come out in Japan, where there was pressure to conform.
āMore people in Japan are becoming familiar with the word LGBTQ and itās seen more (in the media), but I think awareness wonāt grow unless people like myself come out and raise our voices,ā Yokoyama said.
The Las Vegas Raidersā Carl Nassib announced heās gay Monday, becoming the first active NFL player to come out.
Related content: Raidersā Nassib is NFLās First Openly Gay Active Player
āTo Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama ā two prominent, inspiring athletes who came out this week: Iām so proud of your courage,ā United States president Joe Biden tweeted. āBecause of you, countless kids around the world are seeing themselves in a new light today.ā