If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the memes. There’s this running joke that the WNBA is basically a giant, high-stakes version of "The L Word." But beyond the fan edits and the shipping culture, there’s a real, measurable shift in how professional athletes live their lives. People often wonder about the actual percentage of WNBA players who are lesbian or queer, and honestly, the answer is a lot more nuanced than just one big number.
For a long time, the league was kind of quiet about it. Back in the late 90s, the marketing was all about "moms and daughters" and traditional family values. They were basically trying to prove they weren't what everyone assumed they were. Now? It’s the opposite. The WNBA is arguably the most queer-friendly professional league on the planet.
Breaking Down the Numbers: How Many Players Are Actually Out?
Let’s talk hard data. In 2025, the landscape of the league shifted significantly with the arrival of several high-profile rookies and the expansion toward the Golden State Valkyries. According to deep-dive tracking by outlets like Autostraddle and OutSports, the number of publicly out LGBTQ+ players has been climbing year after year.
For the 2025 season, researchers identified roughly 44 players who are openly out. In a league with 12 teams and roughly 144 roster spots (give or take expansion and hardship contracts), that puts the "out" percentage of WNBA players who are lesbian, bisexual, or queer at approximately 30% to 38%.
Some specific studies, like a notable report from ResearchGate and the Social Science Research Network, have historically pegged the number right around that 38% mark. To put that in perspective:
- In the general U.S. population, about 7-10% of people identify as LGBTQ+.
- In the NBA, there are currently zero active players who are publicly out.
- The WNBA is essentially operating at nearly four times the national average for visibility.
Why Is the Percentage So High Compared to Other Sports?
It’s not just "something in the water." Experts who study sports sociology point to a few things. First, women’s sports have always been a bit of a sanctuary for people who don’t fit traditional gender norms. If you’re a girl who wants to be aggressive, competitive, and physically dominant, you’re already "breaking the rules" of what society expects from women.
Because of that, the WNBA became a space where being "different" was actually an asset.
There’s also the "safety in numbers" factor. When you see superstars like Breanna Stewart married to another pro player (Marta Xargay) or Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner getting engaged as teammates, it makes coming out feel less like a career-ending risk and more like a Tuesday.
The "98 Percent" Myth
You might have heard the viral quote from former player Candace Wiggins years ago, where she claimed the league was "98 percent" lesbian. Honestly, most players and analysts laughed that off. It was a hyperbolic statement made during a frustrated exit from the league. While the queer population is high, the "98%" figure isn't supported by any actual roster tracking or anonymous surveys. It’s a bit of locker-room lore that got blown out of proportion.
Does Sexual Orientation Affect Performance?
This is where things get weirdly scientific. A study titled "The WNBA and Athletic Performance Based on Sexual Orientation" actually tried to crunch these numbers. It’s one of the few places in sports where you can even do this because the sample size of "out" athletes is large enough.
The researchers found some fascinating—if controversial—trends:
- Shooting Accuracy: Lesbian guards in the study showed a significantly higher field goal percentage than straight guards.
- Stat Stuffing: Queer forwards tended to record more steals and assists on average.
- Overall Impact: When you look at "advanced stats" and general player efficiency, the differences mostly wash out.
The takeaway isn't that being gay makes you better at hoops. It’s more likely that the queer community has a deeper, more established pipeline into competitive basketball, leading to a higher concentration of "elite" experience among those players.
The Cultural Shift: From "Don't Tell" to "Pride"
It’s easy to forget that Sue Wicks was the first active player to come out back in 2002. At the time, it was a massive deal. Then Sheryl Swoopes—the Michael Jordan of women's basketball—came out in 2005. That changed everything.
By the time the league officially launched its "WNBA Pride" campaign in 2014, the dam had broken. They became the first pro league to actively market to LGBTQ+ fans. They realized that their most loyal fans weren't just the "suburban moms" the 90s execs were obsessed with—it was the community that saw themselves reflected on the court.
The New Generation: 2024 and Beyond
The 2024 and 2025 draft classes brought in a new wave of stars who are even more comfortable with their identities. We saw Kate Martin go public with her relationship shortly after being drafted by the Aces. We see players like Natasha Cloud and Courtney Williams using their platforms for activism.
Even for players who don't explicitly "label" themselves, there's a level of comfort now that didn't exist ten years ago. They post their partners on Instagram, they walk the "Orange Carpet" at the All-Star game in suits or dresses of their choosing, and the league—and the fans—basically just say "cool."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following the league and want to understand this dynamic better, here’s how to look at the data:
- Watch the "Unrivaled" League: The new 3-on-3 league starting in 2026 features a high density of out players. It’s a great way to see how these community ties translate into on-court chemistry.
- Follow Independent Media: Sites like OutSports and Autostraddle keep the most accurate, respectful tallies of out athletes. Mainstream media often skips these details.
- Respect the "Not Out" Players: While the percentage of WNBA players who are lesbian is high, remember that many players choose to keep their private lives private. Visibility is a choice, not a requirement for the job.
- Support Inclusive Brands: The WNBA’s growth is tied to sponsors who aren't afraid of the league’s queer identity. Supporting these brands helps ensure the league remains a safe space for athletes.
The reality is that the WNBA isn't just a basketball league; it's a living Case Study in what happens when an organization stops hiding its truth and starts leaning into it. Whether the number is 30% or 40%, the impact is 100% visible every time the ball tips off.
To keep up with the latest roster changes and how expansion teams like the Valkyries are affecting these demographics, you can monitor the official WNBA player bio updates and the annual LGBTQ+ visibility reports released during Pride month.