rights
From Kiss-In Protests to Ellie the Elephant: Why the WNBA Took 30 Years to Get This Gay
By Jackie Powell at them.
· July 1, 2026
· 17 min read
Washington Mystics Rookie Lauren Betts was on yet another TikTok livestream recently with former and current teammates Charliese Leger-Walker, Angela Dugalić, and Cotie McMahon. “I saw a comment that said Ang should try women,” Betts blurted out to the group. “I said, ‘I agree.’” The quartet burst o
Key takeaway “I saw a comment that said Ang should try women,” Betts blurted out to the group.
Why this matters
The WNBA's evolution on LGBTQ+ issues is closely tied to the broader national conversation on queer rights. As the league marks 30 years since its inception, the contrast between its early years and the present is striking. The fact that players like Lauren Betts feel comfortable discussing their sexuality openly reflects a significant shift in cultural attitudes. This change is also reflected in the growing number of national resources available to support LGBTQ+ individuals, such as the Trevor Project crisis line and the National LGBTQ Task Force. The WNBA's growing popularity and cultural influence have created a platform for players to express themselves authentically, which in turn can help promote greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues nationwide. As the league continues to grow, it will be important to watch how it navigates the complexities of LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy, particularly in states with varying levels of legal protections for queer individuals.
About this story
Original reporting by them. . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit them. . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: them. ·
Reading time: 17 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Washington Mystics Rookie Lauren Betts was on yet another TikTok livestream recently with former and current teammates Charliese Leger-Walker, Angela Dugalić, and Cotie McMahon. “I saw a comment that said Ang should try women,” Betts blurted out to the group. “I said, ‘I agree.’” The quartet burst o
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by them. and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jackie Powell at them.. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .