- Grace Wilson, first non-binary female footballer in Australia
- Adelaide United goalkeeper, 18, wanted to be ‘free’
- Wilson has the support of his W-League teammates
Adelaide United goalkeeper Grace Wilson has become Australia’s first non-binary professional footballer and declares her burning desire to be “free”.
Wilson, 18, informed his teammates on Friday and the youngster said he felt “phenomenal” after receiving widespread support.
‘I am non-binary. That’s all. “I can’t deny it anymore,” Wilson said.
‘It was like a huge weight had been lifted from me, because for a long time I had felt that something was different. “Finally hearing people refer to me as ‘they/them’ is a phenomenal, euphoric feeling.”
Non-binary refers to people who do not relate to being exclusively male or female.
Adelaide United goalkeeper Grace Wilson has become Australia’s first non-binary professional footballer and declares her desire to be “free”.
Wilson, 18, informed his teammates on Friday and the youngster said he felt “phenomenal” after receiving widespread support.
‘I am non-binary. That’s all. “I can’t deny it anymore,” Wilson told reporters Friday.
Canadian star Quinn became the first non-binary athlete to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the midfielder won a gold medal in women’s soccer.
Wilson’s announcement follows fellow Adelaide player Josh Cavallo confirming he was gay in 2021.
Someone who is non-binary may feel like they are a mix of both genders, somewhere in between the two, or perhaps form the opinion that they have no gender at all.
Wilson coach Adrian Stenta felt education was key and confirmed the club supported the move to announce their pronouns to teammates.
‘We just asked Grace what they wanted to do. “We fully support the way they did it and share what is a really significant moment in his life and her career,” Stenta said. Nine news.
Wilson, who uses they/them pronouns, emphasized that it is important to use the correct terms when talking to people.
“Not all non-binary people are going to use they, they may not have a preference with pronouns, they can use any,” she said.
‘It’s something really important; You don’t realize how much of a difference it makes.
“I didn’t realize it, but finally hearing people refer to me as they are is encouraging.”
Wilson’s announcement comes after Adelaide player Josh Cavallo confirmed he was gay in 2021.
Canadian star Quinn became the first non-binary athlete to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the midfielder won a gold medal in women’s soccer.
On Saturday night, Sydney will host Mardi Gras, where more than 12,000 people spread across 200 floats are expected to take part in the 46th annual parade.
