Two sportswomen become first same-sex couple on cover of ESPN's 'The Body Issue'

By Cheryl Kahla

Jun 28, 2018

10:18 A.M.

Basketball point guard Sue Bird and soccer forward Megan Rapinoe made history when they became the first same-sex couple to appear on the cover of ESPN.

To mark the publication's 10th anniversary, the 37-year-old Bird and 32-year-old Rapinoe posed in their birthday suits for the annual body issue.

It was a proud moment for both Rapinoe and Bird, who shared images of the nude photo shoot to their Instagram accounts, with the captions 'Body in Motion.'

Both Rapinoe and Bird told ESPN's Jemele Hill that it's quite an achievement to be the first openly gay couple on the cover, with Rapinoe adding "visibility is important."

She said someone had to do it, be the first one to step up and step out, especially in the current social climate. To learn more, follow our official Twitter account, AmoMama USA.

Their photographer, Radka Leitmeritz, was proud of the photo shoot as well, and said on Instagram it 'was such a [sic] honor to work with those 2 amazing gladiator-women.'

"Just think of how far we've come, but also the current climate and defiance in the face of that. Not only are we female athletes, but we're dating as well."

Megan Rapinoe, ESPN, June 25, 2018.

She added that this is the perfect time in our culture to celebrate things that are different and to accept other types of lifestyles.

Bird hopes that 'having a gay couple on the [the covers of magazines] becomes the norm' and perhaps soon people will stop differentiating between a 'gay couple' from a 'normal couple.'

As for their fitness regimes and maintaining a healthy body, Bird said nutrition is essential, while Rapinoe admits she's a little laxer than her partner.

According to ABC News, both Bird and Rapinoe are Olympic gold medalists. Bird plays for the Seatle Storms and is a two time WNBA champion.

Rapinoe is a World Cup Champion who plays for the Seattle Reign Football Club. They began their relationship 2 years ago but only announced it publicly back in July of 2017.