Walk into any WNBA arena and you'll feel it. The energy is different. It’s not just about the crisp chest passes or the tactical brilliance of a New York Liberty half-court set. There’s a specific, unapologetic culture of authenticity that defines this league, especially regarding its LGBTQ+ identity. If you’ve ever wondered what percentage of WNBA is gay, you’re looking for a number that’s actually a moving target.
Honestly, the "official" stats and the "real" stats are two different things. Why? Because being "out" is a personal choice, even in the most inclusive league on the planet.
As we head into 2026, the landscape has shifted. We aren't just guessing anymore. Recent reporting from outlets like Autostraddle and Outsports has been tracking the rosters with surgical precision.
The Math: What Percentage of WNBA is Gay?
Let’s get straight to the data. Based on the most recent tracking of active rosters, approximately 30% to 38% of the WNBA identifies as LGBTQ+.
To put that in perspective, in a league of roughly 144 players, we are talking about 40 to 50 athletes who are publicly out. This isn't a static number. In 2022, research suggested about 20% of the league was out. By the 2024 and 2025 seasons, that number jumped significantly as more veterans felt comfortable and more "out" rookies entered the draft.
Take the 2025 playoffs as a case study. There were 29 openly LGBTQ+ players competing in the postseason alone. That means every single team in the tournament had at least two queer players. It’s not a fringe element; it’s the backbone of the league’s talent.
👉 See also: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
Why the Numbers Keep Growing
It’s not necessarily that "more players are gay" than before. It’s that the cost of being yourself has dropped.
Years ago, the league tried to market "family values"—which was basically code for heteronormativity. They’d show players with their husbands in the stands to appease a specific demographic of sponsors. But the fans didn't buy it. Or rather, the queer fans who were already filling the seats demanded more.
Everything changed around 2013-2014. Brittney Griner’s arrival was a massive catalyst. She didn't "come out" in a dramatic, tearful interview; she just was who she was. Then you had icons like Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart sharing their lives. When the best players in the world are out, the mid-roster players and rookies feel a lot safer.
Teams with the Highest Visibility
If you're looking for which teams are statistically the "queerest," the rosters shift every year due to trades. But as of the most recent season data:
- The New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury often lead the pack.
- The Minnesota Lynx have a high concentration of out players, including the fan-favorite "StudBudz" duo of Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams.
- The Golden State Valkyries, the league's newest expansion team, hit the ground running with at least three out players in their inaugural setup.
The "Paige Bueckers" Effect and the Next Generation
We have to talk about the shift in college recruiting. The players coming into the league in 2025 and 2026—the Gen Z stars—view their sexuality differently. For many, it’s just a Tuesday.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Paige Bueckers, who has become one of the most visible faces in the sport, represents a new era where players don't necessarily feel the need to hold a press conference about their private lives, yet they live openly on social media. This fluidity makes the question "what percentage of WNBA is gay" harder to answer with a rigid "yes" or "no" box. Many players identify as queer, fluid, or simply don't use labels at all.
Real Couples, Real Visibility
What makes the WNBA unique is that these aren't just statistics; they are relationships that the fans follow like soap operas.
You have Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, who aren't just teammates on the Connecticut Sun (and later Mercury)—they’re engaged. Then there’s Natasha Cloud and Isabelle Harrison, who actually ended up playing together on the Liberty. These relationships are part of the league’s marketing now. The WNBA realized that the LGBTQ+ community is one of their most loyal fanbases. Instead of hiding the players' lives, they started celebrating them.
Misconceptions and the "Hidden" Percentage
Is the number actually higher than 38%? Probably.
There are still players who prefer to keep their private lives private. Some come from conservative backgrounds or international markets where being out could be dangerous for their families back home. We also shouldn't assume every player with a "masculine" aesthetic is gay, or that every "feminine" player is straight. That’s an old stereotype the league is actively dismantling.
🔗 Read more: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
What This Means for the Future of Sports
The WNBA is the blueprint. While the NBA still hasn't had an active player come out, the W is proving that authenticity actually drives revenue. Ratings are at an all-time high. Jersey sales are through the roof.
The percentage of WNBA players who are gay matters because it reflects a workplace where people can actually perform at their peak because they aren't wasting energy hiding who they are.
How to Stay Informed
If you want to keep up with the actual roster changes and the evolving statistics of LGBTQ+ representation in the league, here’s what you should do:
- Follow specialized media: Outlets like Outsports and The Next provide much deeper coverage of these dynamics than traditional sports networks.
- Watch the Unrivaled League: The new 3-on-3 league starting in 2026 features a high percentage of out WNBA stars and offers a more intimate look at the players.
- Support the WNBA's Pride initiatives: The league's "WNBA Pride" platform is a great resource for seeing how the organization officially supports its players.
The "out" population of the league will likely continue to climb as the cultural stigma fades. Whether the number hits 40% or 50% isn't the point—the point is that the WNBA has created a space where the question "what percentage of WNBA is gay" is answered with pride rather than a whisper.