Mary Earps announces 'happy' same-sex relationship ahead of memoir release
– 1 min read
Lionesses legend and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has publicly shared that she is in a same-sex relationship, describing it as “really happy” in a heartfelt statement released ahead of the publication of her memoir All In.
The 32-year-old, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, said she felt “ready and happy” to share this part of her life, having previously kept her personal relationships private. “The people closest to me have always known, and I feel ready and happy to share that with everyone else now,” Earps told the BBC.
Earps’s decision to come out publicly was made so she could tell her story on her own terms, without overshadowing other themes in her book, which also explores her mental health journey and career highs and lows. Her manager, Tina Taylor, said Earps hopes her openness will “inspire people around the world to find the confidence to live authentically”.
The goalkeeper also paid tribute to her girlfriend, Kitty, who she credits with helping her navigate the pressures of fame and professional sport. The couple’s relationship is discussed in the memoir, which is due for release on 6 November.
Earps has been widely praised for her courage and authenticity, with LGBTQ+ organisations hailing her as a role model. Sarah Garrett, founder of the British LGBT Awards, called her “a hero and inspirational role model to young women and girls all over the world”.
A trailblazer on and off the pitch, Earps was a key figure in England’s Euro 2022 triumph and the 2023 World Cup campaign, where the Lionesses finished runners-up to Spain. She was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023 and received an MBE from Prince William in May 2024.
Her announcement adds to the growing visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes in women’s football, a sport that has seen significantly more openly gay players than the men’s game. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, over 40 players identified as lesbian or bisexual, compared to none in the men’s tournament the year before.
