Japanese Soccer Player Yokoyama Comes Out As Transgender

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
NPR
@NPR
Japanese soccer player Kumi Yokoyama has come out as a trans man.

The 27-year-old forward plays in the U.S. for the Washington Spirit and represented Japan in the 2019 World Cup.

Japanese Soccer Player Yokoyama Comes Out As Transgender
Kumi Yokoyama plays in the U.S. for the Washington Spirit and represented Japan in the 2019 World Cup. In Japan, LGBTQ people lack many legal protections and often suffer discrimination.
npr.org
3:39 PM · Jun 23, 2021

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/23/1009458160/japanese-soccer-player-yokoyama-comes-out-as-transgender


TOKYO — Japanese soccer player Kumi Yokoyama said they are transgender — a revelation praised in the U.S. where they play in the National Women's Soccer League but an identity not legally recognized in Japan.

The 27-year-old forward for the Washington Spirit said they felt more comfortable with their own gender identity while living in the United States, where teammates and friends are more open to gender and sexual diversity.

"I'm coming out now," Yokoyama said in a video talk on former teammate Yuki Nagasato's YouTube channel. "In the future, I want to quit soccer and live as a man."

Yokoyama's revelation was praised by President Joe Biden.

"To Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama – two prominent, inspiring athletes who came out this week: I'm so proud of your courage. Because of you, countless kids around the world are seeing themselves in a new light today," Biden tweeted. Nassib is the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

*snip*

[MichMan]

1. Are they planning to play for a Men's Soccer team now?

At least in the US leagues?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. I'm assuming from their quotes that they'll continue to play in the NWSL and follow its policy until

they retire.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Quote in the OP: "I want to quit soccer" (nt)

[MichMan]

6. "In the future"

Next week? Next year? 2030 ?

[LisaL]

4. No.

NT

[betsuni]

5. The other day I saw a Japanese commercial while watching something online.

(I live in Japan.) It featured all sorts of families. Non-Japanese and Japanese couples, not unusual. But I was shocked by the inclusion of same sex couples with children. Don't remember ever seeing that before. Wow!

Ironic because sexuality in Japan has always been fluid historically, but after WWII not.