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Months after U.S. Women's National Team player Korbin Albert shared anti-LGBTQ+ posts on social media, the controversy lingers. Fellow teammate Tierna Davidson recently addressed the issue in an interview.
During a conversation on the Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast published on Tuesday, July 23, Davidson, 25, discussed how Albert's actions have impacted team dynamics and her personally as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. "It's a difficult situation that has obviously affected me personally given what she was speaking on," Davidson said. "As a young player with a public platform, you must understand that your beliefs and expressions are seen and heard by many."
She continued, "We have to learn from our actions and understand the hurt they can cause. As a team, we've always aimed to be welcoming to all fans and players in the locker room."
Davidson noted that the backlash Albert received has led to some learning on Albert's part about the impact of her views. "Whether these views were ingrained from a young age or not, they can hurt others," Davidson added.
In March, Albert, 20, issued an apology on social media after liking and sharing posts that mocked soccer star Megan Rapinoe and the LGBTQ+ community. Fans noticed Albert's engagement with anti-LGBTQ+ content on TikTok and Instagram, including a post making fun of Rapinoe's injury in her final game.
Rapinoe, 38, responded on Instagram, challenging those hiding behind "my beliefs." She wrote, "Are you making any space safer, more inclusive, more whole? Because if you aren't, all you believe in is hate. Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake, TF up! Yours truly, #15."
A few hours later, Albert, who wears Rapinoe's no. 15 on the USWNT, issued her apology via Instagram Stories. "I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media," she began. "Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive, and hurtful was immature and disrespectful, which was never my intent." Albert expressed deep regret and apologized to her teammates, other players, fans, and anyone offended.
The USWNT's first Olympic match against Zambia is on Thursday, July 25, at Stade de Nice in France, streaming live on Peacock at 3 p.m. EST.
