Recently capped Young Matilda Grace Wilson has become the first Australian professional soccer player to come out as non-binary. The Adelaide United goalkeeper hopes it'll make it easier for other athletes grappling with their gender identity in a sporting world where queerphobia is still a pressing issue.
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00:00 Taking a leap that 18-year-old goalie Grace Wilson hopes will create change.
00:07 By coming out, you know, just being able to be honest with everyone around me.
00:11 For the last year and a bit, you know, I haven't been and it's really difficult to kind of navigate.
00:17 The young Adelaide United goalkeeper is now the first professional soccer player in the country to come out as non-binary.
00:24 They're making strides as they gear up for the Asian Cup in Uzbekistan after being named in the young Matildas squad last month.
00:33 Wilson was signed by United in 2022 and has played for the young and junior Matildas before.
00:40 Despite support from their club and team, Wilson knows there's still a long way to go.
00:47 I faced, you know, some homophobia within, you know, teams because I was one of the first openly queer people on my team.
00:55 It's an all too common hurdle for many queer sports people.
00:59 Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo made global headlines in 2021 for being the first professional male footballer to come out as gay.
01:09 Since then, he's called out homophobic abuse on the ground and online.
01:15 A 2019 Flinders University study found almost 40% of respondents felt unsafe or vulnerable in a sporting environment because of their gender identity or sexuality.
01:28 It also found feelings of intimidation eased once the athlete had spent time with the club.
01:34 It's just about a mutual respect and engaging in conversation. So for me, that's the most important thing.
01:41 Wilson hopes awareness and education will give other queer and gender diverse athletes an easier run.
01:48 I just hope that through me coming out, you know, it's something for myself, but also something for other people who, you know, may be considering their gender.
01:57 Keeping strong to give others a shot.
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