23.06 / 20:57
lgbtq
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Transgender
Kumi Yokoyama Says They 'Would Not Have Come Out' as Transgender if Still in Japan
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.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 recent 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.