RE—INC’s Revolutionary 11: Our 2023 Lineup

Representing RE—INC’s values of progress, art, equity, and creativity, our inaugural Revolutionary 11 exemplify change through sport.

These queer icons were nominated by our Membership community for breaking barriers, making a difference on and off the field, and embodying that existence is resistance.

As a nod to the number of players on the pitch in honor of the upcoming World Cup, we have selected eleven queer athletes who shine a light on the revolutionary power of the queer community.

Introducing our 2023 Revolutionary 11.

Abby Wambach is a soccer icon, an Olympian with 2 Gold Medals, and a World Cup winner. She channels all of the drive she had on the field into a voice for change off the field. Today, Abby is a speaker and an activist, a New York Times best selling author, co-host of the podsquad favorite ‘We Can Do Hard Things,’ and an advocate for change.

Our community nominated Abby because of “the way she just carries herself and is unapologetically [who] she is.”

A veteran defender whose professional soccer career took her all around the globe, Ali Krieger was a key member of the 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Cup squads for the U.S.. She currently plays for Gotham FC.

Ali is a force to be reckoned with on and off the field—unapologetically using her platform and voice to fight for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights.

Our community nominated Ali for “living and speaking her truth so openly and in such an impactful way. And for all her involvement and support in the LGBTQ+ and Black communities.” Ali supports the Human Rights Campaign for their work to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people are treated as full and equal citizens around the world.

Ashlyn Harris was a world-class goalkeeper, and a member of the 2015 and 2019 U.S. World Cup-winning teams. The first NWSL player to reach 500 saves, Ashlyn also made a total 25 appearances for the USWNT. Another record: today, Ashlyn is Gotham FC's first global creative advisor.

Ashlyn is a vocal proponent of LGBTQ+ equality and supports the Human Rights Campaign. HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Our community nominated Ashlyn for “showing to so many people that they aren't alone. That they matter. That they belong.”

Billie Jean King is a legend.

As one of greatest tennis players of all time, she won 39 Grand Slam titles in her tennis career. A record 90 million people watched on as Billie Jean defeated Bobby Riggs in the historic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ game.

Like the badass she is, Billie Jean led the fight for equality and equal pay in sports, including advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2009, Billie Jean received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Our community nominated Billie Jean because “she was fighting for parity and for females to get the money and respect they deserved long before it was considered mainstream.”

Brittney Griner is a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. Women's National Basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star.

Brittney blazes trails on and off the court—and in 2013, was the first openly gay athlete to be endorsed by Nike. A courageous fighter, Brittney is a voice for change who shows extraordinary strength and dignity in the face of adversity.

Our community nominated Brittney because “BG is such an icon that I took it for granted until she wasn't there anymore. A queer black woman who can dunk on anybody and loves her wife and knows her worth and shares her light.”

Candace Parker is cited as one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time, and is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist.

With her work in activism for the Social Change Fund, Candace is one of the world’s most influential LGBTQ+ athletes. She also happens to be a fashion maven.

Our community nominated Candace because “she consistently breaks barriers. Her existence as an Out athlete, NBA broadcaster, African American woman, and mom is resistance. Candace Parker is more than that; she is herself and she is willing to share her experience with everyone—an embodiment of equity, art, creativity, and progress.”

Josh Dixon is a former U.S. Men’s National Team member who brought his talent through two Olympic cycles - the first openly gay gymnast to ever compete for Team USA on the world’s biggest stage.

Josh still brings it as a prominent voice on matters of racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and scholastic opportunity to young students and student-athletes. Josh supports the Victory Fund, which is dedicated to electing out LGBTQ+ people who can further equality at all levels of government.

Josh was nominated by our community because “he is a pioneer for gay gymnasts. He brought visibility to a sport that needed it, and has gone on to do even more inspiring things for queer athletes and student-athletes. He's a rockstar!”

Kumi Yokoyama is a Japanese footballer who played as a forward for the Japan Women’s National Team. In 2015, they were called up to the Japan Women’s National to play in the Algarve Cup. They currently play for the club Okayama Yunogo Belle in Japan.

Aside from their soccer star status, Kumi is one of the most visible LGBTQ+ athletes in their native country of Japan. Kumi was one of two trans athletes in the NWSL.

Kumi was selected by our community because "[they represent] athletes from Asia who are out—LGBTQ+ is still very taboo in Asia and their being out is a very brave move in a society that is still in need of more openness.”

Nikki Hiltz is a whopping seven-time All-American mid-distance runner. Yet their impressive talents aren’t just on the track— they are an out and proud trans/non-binary athlete who is working to make running more inclusive for all identities.

They were selected by our community because “Nikki is a tireless advocate for the trans community. Every year they put on a virtual Pride 5k to raise money for the Trevor Project. They are such a light and seeing them do what they love as their most authentic self is beautiful!”

Nikki proudly supports Stand with Trans, an organization providing education and support for transgender youth and their families.

Patricio Manuel is a professional American boxer with 5 amateur championships under his belt.

And he isn’t just making history in the ring. In 2018, Patricio became the first transgender man to box professionally in the US—and the first to win.

Patricio was selected by our community because “after transitioning he won his first bout... Pat is a speaker for [LGBTQ+] sports events and he's just a badass.”

Patricio supports Mirror Memoirs, a storytelling project centering around the narratives of LGBTQ+ survivors of color in the movement to end child sexual abuse.

Robyn Lambird is an elite Australian wheelchair racer who took the bronze medal home in the 2020 Summer Paralympics—becoming the first out non-binary Paralympian to win a medal.

Robyn isn’t just beating the odds; they also use their platform to fight for visibility for disabled people. Robyn starred in a 2016 fashion campaign, marking the first time in Australia that a person in a wheelchair was represented in nation-wide advertising.

They were selected by our community because “Robyn lives in a world of creativity in the way they simply move through the world with their disability.”

This is the start of a new tradition here at RE—INC. Every June, we will champion a team of queer icons and athletes who are changing the game to be more inclusive, equitable, and beautifully queer! Athletes, activists, and trailblazers.