'I'm not going to the fucking White House': Megan Rapinoe - Hot Press' Pride Hero of 2019

On Wednesday, American soccer magazine Eight by Eight posted a video of Megan Rapinoe, who said candidly that, if the womens team win the World Cup, she’s "not going to the fucking White House.” The co-captain of the U.S national soccer team also added that she believed that the team wouldn't get invited.

“I’m not going to the fucking White House.” - @mPinoe pic.twitter.com/sz1ADG2WdT

— Eight by Eight (@8by8mag) June 25, 2019

Rapinoe's comments were widely shared in the days that followed, with many people praising her blunt and unequivocal stance. There was also some pushback from people who felt - somehow - that her words were "unAmerican".

Word of the short clip evidently reached the ears of sitting president Donald Trump, who took to Twitter on Wednesday to blast Megan Rapinoe for comments.

Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is “not going to the F...ing White House if we win.” Other than the NBA, which now refuses to call owners, owners (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed, Black unemployment is at the lowest level...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019

Despite this, Megan Rapinoe didn't back down from her comments when questioned about them at a press conference earlier today.

She told journalists: "I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House," then joked, "with the exception of the expletive, my mom will be very upset about that."

"I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive," USWNT co-captain Megan Rapinoe says. "My mom will be very upset about that." https://t.co/HAKZHqzLZ2 pic.twitter.com/hI6Av2d5FY

— ABC News (@ABC) June 28, 2019

Megan Rapinoes Activism

For those who've been aware of Megan Rapinoe for years, her words will come as no surprise.

The player gained national attention back in 2016 when she took the knee during the national anthem, in solidarity with American football player Colin Kaepernick, who also took the knee to protest racial injustice.

As a gay person, Rapinoe was engaging in a protest against the way that minorities in America are treated.

“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties," she said. "It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. It’s important to have white people stand in support of people of colour on this. We don’t need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something that’s really powerful.”

This wasn't to be the only time that Rapinoe raised awareness for what it meant to be a gay woman in America. She was the first openly gay woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2012 - the same year that she was shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year award. Then, alongside her girlfriend Sue Bird, she posed for the Body Issue of ESPN The Magazine.

On top of that, Rapinoe is noted for her activism and philanthropy. She is an advocate for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and, in 2013, she became an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organisation that focuses on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports.

At a time when LGBT rights are being either curbed, restricted or contested across western nations, Rapinoe's activism and awareness-raising cannot be overstated. On top of that, her candid comments about the White House spoke for a nation weary with division. For those reasons, Megan Rapinoe is one of our Pride heroes of 2019.