Washington Spirit's Kumi Yokoyama comes out as transgender man

The soccer player says it would be "harder to live closeted."

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Washington Spirit forward Kumi Yokoyama has come out as a transgender man in a video posted on Saturday. Yokoyama, who uses they/them pronouns, said it would be "harder to live closeted" and that they wanted to share their truth with the world.

Why it matters

Yokoyama's announcement is a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports, as they become one of the few openly transgender athletes competing at the highest levels. Their decision to live authentically could inspire others to do the same and help break down barriers for the transgender community in sports.

The details

In the video, Yokoyama discussed the difficulties of living as a closeted transgender person and the importance of being true to oneself. They said they had been considering coming out for a long time and felt it was the right time to share their story publicly.

  • Kumi Yokoyama posted the video announcing their transgender identity on Saturday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Kumi Yokoyama

A forward for the Washington Spirit soccer team who has come out as a transgender man, using they/them pronouns.

Washington Spirit

The professional women's soccer team that Kumi Yokoyama plays for in the National Women's Soccer League.

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What they’re saying

“It would be harder to live closeted.”

— Kumi Yokoyama (foxsports.com)

The takeaway

Kumi Yokoyama's decision to come out as a transgender athlete is a powerful moment that will help increase visibility and representation for the LGBTQ+ community in professional sports. Their courage to live authentically can inspire others to do the same and work towards greater acceptance and inclusion.