Washington Spirit forward Kumi Yokoyama came out as a transgender man in a video posted Saturday on former teammate Yuki Nagasato’s YouTube channel.
Yokoyama, who signed with the Spirit in December 2019, said during the interview that living in Germany and the United States showed Yokoyama that it can be possible to live openly. They said in Japan, there isn’t as much of an understanding and acceptance regarding LGBTQ culture, although Yokoyama joins a recent group of Japanese athletes opening about their sexuality.
“I’ve dated several women over the years, but I had to stay closeted in Japan,” Yokoyama said, who uses they/them pronouns. “In Japan I’d always be asked if I had a boyfriend, but here [in the United States] and in Germany, I’m asked if I have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
“When my girlfriend said there was no reason for me to stay closeted, it really hit me,” Yokoyama said. “Coming out wasn’t something I was enthusiastic about, but if I think about my life going forward, it would be harder to live closeted, so I found the courage to come out.”
Yokoyama played for the Japanese women’s national team at the 2019 World Cup in France, and they featured in eight games during the 2020 season and have two starts this year. They referenced Canada international and OL Reign midfielder Quinn — who made their transition public in 2020 — as an inspiration.
“[Quinn] wore a [sweatshirt] that said ‘Protect Trans Kids’ before a game, and I realized that’s what taking action looks like,” Yokoyama said. “To be able to accept people you have no relationship with, that’s the kind of person I’d like to become, and I hope we can create that society.”
The 27-year-old said they received top surgery to remove breast tissue seven years ago without hormone use, because “I would have been caught by doping tests if I was on hormones.”
Yokoyama said they plan to undergo additional gender-affirming surgeries once they retire from soccer.
Yokoyama said they knew their gender identity from a young age, cutting their hair short in elementary school and refusing to wear feminine clothing during the traditional Shichi-Go-San ceremony, a rite of passage for 3- and 7-year-old girls and 5-year-old boys.
“I never saw myself as a girl, so I hated puberty,” Yokoyama said. “When I reached adulthood, I thought I’d maybe play soccer for another one or two years, so after that season ended, I had my breasts removed.”
In a tweet, the Washington Spirit supported Yokoyama’s announcement. And Spirit manager Richie Burke told the Japan Times following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Chicago Red Stars that he and the team support Yokoyama. He said the team was aware of Yokoyama’s transition when signing them in 2019.
“We have no time for hate, we only have time for love in our football club,” Burke told the Japan Times. “I love Kumi, always will, and I’ll always have a special place for somebody with that mentality. They are very brave, they are very committed to this process, and if that’s what they want to do I’m going to do whatever I can do to support them. As long as they’re happy, I’m happy.”
Yokoyama also received support from Shiho Shimoyamada, who became Japan’s first openly gay professional athlete in February 2019. Shimoyamada plays for Sfida Setagaya in Japan’s Nadeshiko League.
“To smile this much when you’re coming out isn’t very common and it was incredibly moving,” Shimoyamada tweeted, which was translated by the Japan Times. “I hope Kumi’s thoughts reach as many people as possible.”
Yokoyama said she didn’t want to play “a leading role” in the LGBTQ movement in Japan, but they would be involved in activism moving forward.
“Lately the word ‘LGBTQ’ has become more commonly known in Japan and been covered by the media, but people in my position aren’t able to raise our voices and talk about it,” Yokoyama said. “Japan may be a small country, but if all of us speak up together then we can help raise awareness.”
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