Although it has been a year since Joanna Lohman wore a Philadelphia Independence jersey, her freedom has continued to flourish since leaving the City of Brotherly Love.
Lohman, an alum of the local Women’s Professional Soccer team, will return to Philly to mark the relaunch of GO! Athletes — the first national network for LGBT high-school, college and former student athletes — from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 11 at University of Pennsylvania’s Bodek Lounge.
Lohman, 30, is a Penn State grad who played for the Independence in 2010 and 2011. Last season she played professionally for a team in Barcelona, Spain, and is now a member of D.C. United Women. She spent several years as a member of the U.S. Women’s National soccer team.
She has been out since age 22 — most of her professional career — but she said she didn’t have a definitive coming-out moment.
“It wasn’t a big affair because, in all honesty, it was a natural decision for me,” she said. “I wasn’t a celebrity so I didn’t have to come out in a big magazine or anything; it was just a natural, organic process.”
While the sports world is often stereotyped as harsh on LGBT people, Lohman said she’s had a very positive reception within her field.
Women’s sports, however, may be inherently more progressive than their male counterparts, she noted, and soccer in particular has a reputation for its LGBT-friendliness, with athletes like out Olympic great Megan Rapinoe.
“Obviously you hear stories, like from the World Cup, of coaches and teams where it’s not accepted, but those are in the absolute minority,” Lohman said. “It’s hard to be in women’s sports in the United States and be homophobic. It’s not this huge surprise that some players are gay, and it’s really nice to see people speaking about it publicly.”
Lohman has been open about her relationship with her partner, whom she met during their time as teammates on the Independence. The pair went on to found JoLi Academy, which brings the sport of soccer to young women in countries that lack opportunities for female athletes.
When traveling on Academy business, Lohman said she has had to remain aware that some environments may not be as accepting of her sexuality as in the United States, but she puts the success of the program as top priority.
“In January we’re going back to India for our second trip, and we’re really just working to develop the game for women,” she said. “Regardless of our sexuality, everyone can appreciate how much women need help around the world. In America, with Title IX, we don’t realize how lucky we are to have a supportive environment for women athletes. America is very unique in that sense and so we’re trying to provide a glimpse of the same human rights and opportunities that we’re presented.”
Embracing opportunities is part of the mission of GO! Athletes, which connects current and former LGBT and ally student athletes and works for safe athletic spaces.
The group was originally created in 2008 and last month reorganized under the GO! moniker with a new board and website.
Lohman said the leaders of the group, including executive director Anna Aagenes, are “fantastic individuals” with whom she was eager to work.
“Their message of trying to support LGBT athletes and build an environment that’s accepting and positive for athletes to come out and be themselves is so positive and something that I really wanted to be a part of,” she said.
In her own athletic career, Lohman said she’s been contacted by a number of student athletes who themselves are struggling with their sexuality.
“On a weekly or monthly basis, I get emails and messages from young athletes who are trying to come out and who have been inspired by how open I have been,” she said, noting she finds the contact “very flattering.”
“I’m a big believer in being authentic and living an authentic life, and I always try to encourage them to come out and live as their true selves, as long as it’s safe,” she added.
Young athletes will have the chance to get some in-person advice from Lohman during next week’s visit to Penn.
Lohman said she’s looking forward to coming back to the city that provided her with so many opportunities.
“I really can’t wait to get back to the city and spend time with so many friends in the area,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to meeting with members of GO! and just making new personal connections. It’s going to be a really great time.”