Who is Quinn? Meet the transgender Canadian footballer who has made history at the World Cup
- Quinn became the first trans and non-binary footballer to play at a World Cup
- The Canadian midfielder played the full 90 minutes of their draw with Nigeria
- They are hoping to be a role model for young trans and non-binary people
Canadian midfielder Quinn made history last week as they became the first out trans and non-binary footballer to play at a World Cup.
Quinn started Canada's match against Nigeria on Friday, with the game ending in a goalless draw.
The 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes, but was unable to help the team find a breakthrough as their campaign got off to a frustrating start. Quinn then started once again in Canada's 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland.
Canada are ranked seventh in the world and are one of the favourites for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
In light of the history-making appearance on Friday, Mail Sport provides everything you need to know about Quinn.
![Quinn has become the first out trans and non-binary player to play at a World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73522361-12331067-Quinn_has_become_the_first_out_trans_and_non_binary_player_to_pl-a-1_1690191859266.jpg)
Quinn has become the first out trans and non-binary player to play at a World Cup
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/12/73549597-12331067-image-a-20_1690198454838.jpg)
Quinn (pictured) played the full game as Canada drew with Nigeria on Friday at the World Cup
Who is Quinn?
Quinn, formerly Rebecca Quinn, was born in Toronto, Canada, on August 11 1995.
Growing up with three sisters, Quinn started playing football from the age of six and it quickly became clear they had a talent for the game.
They went to Duke University where Quinn became the first Canadian to play for the Duke Blue Devils soccer team between 2013 to 2018, while majoring in biology.
After originally featuring as a defender, they eventually developed into a midfielder and were awarded the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference Midfielder of the Year award in 2017.
During Quinn's time at university, they also represented Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics when the country won bronze after previously debuting for the national team in 2014 aged 18.
Quinn is accustomed to creating history after becoming the first out trans and non-binary athlete to compete at the Olympics two years ago.
That proved to be a triumphant tournament for Canada as they won gold in Tokyo.
![Quinn has long-been touted for greatness in the game and shone while playing at university](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546301-12331067-image-a-3_1690191870775.jpg)
Quinn has long-been touted for greatness in the game and shone while playing at university
When did Quinn transition?
In September 2020, Quinn took to social media to come out publicly as trans and non-binary.
In a detailed post on Instagram they shared the news which included Quinn highlighting their desire to be 'visible to queer folks who don't see people like them on their feed'.
Quinn uses the pronouns 'they' and 'them' and was allowed to continue playing professional women's soccer on the basis of their sex assigned at birth.
The midfielder is subsequently a role model for all trans and non-binary people around the world.
![Quinn came out as trans and non-binary in a brave and detailed post on Instagram in 2020](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546429-12331067-image-a-13_1690192610808.jpg)
Quinn came out as trans and non-binary in a brave and detailed post on Instagram in 2020
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546423-12331067-image-a-6_1690191903429.jpg)
At the time she also said: 'I want to be a visible figure for young trans folks or people questioning their gender, people exploring their gender.
'Because unfortunately when I was growing up, and even going through that process of figuring out myself in college, I didn't have those people in the public sphere to look up to.
'There are several trans athletes and several trans people in media and politics, but I just think those faces are not common enough.
'I want to be a visible trans person succeeding in my job, so that younger trans folks could see that they did have an avenue to go and that they would have a future and a career ahead of them.'
![The midfielder has regularly talked about her desire to be a role model for young trans people](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546427-12331067-image-a-14_1690192705258.jpg)
The midfielder has regularly talked about her desire to be a role model for young trans people
Who do they play for?
After excelling at Duke University, Quinn became the highest drafted Canadian in National Women's Soccer League history when they were snapped up third overall by the Washington Spirit in 2017.
After a year with the club, they moved to France to play for Paris FC ahead of the 2019 Women's World Cup in the country.
Later that year, they signed for OL Reign - who are based in Seattle - and Quinn has been there ever since bar a short loan spell at Swedish club Vittsjo GIK in 2020.
Since debuting for Canada at 18 in 2014, the midfielder has racked up 90 caps for the Canucks and has featured at two Olympic games in 2016 and 2020.
After Canada won the 2020 Olympics - which were played in 2021 in Tokyo due to the Covid-19 pandemic - Quinn became the first out, trans and non-binary gold medalist in Olympic history. Quinn also secured a bronze medal in 2016.
![Quinn became the first trans and non-binary gold medalist in Olympic history at Tokyo in 2021](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546305-12331067-image-a-15_1690192763852.jpg)
Quinn became the first trans and non-binary gold medalist in Olympic history at Tokyo in 2021
How has Quinn coming out been received?
The Canadian midfielder has generally been met with much positivity since they came out.
Quinn's announcement made headlines all across the world with FIFA commenting on the news in a statement.
The world governing body said at the time: 'FIFA congratulates Rebecca Quinn for being out and proud, and we wish them continued success in their career and for the future.'
Meanwhile, Canada coach Bev Priestman couldn't be more glowing in her praise of the 27-year-old.
![Quinn has received significant support from her team-mates including captain Christine Sinclair (above) along with coach Bev Priestman (below)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/11/73546589-12331067-image-a-19_1690192829486.jpg)
![Priestman announced her pride in what Quinn is doing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/11/73546593-12331067-image-m-18_1690192817979.jpg)
Quinn has received significant support from her team-mates including captain Christine Sinclair (left) along with coach Bev Priestman (right)
She recently said: 'I'm really proud of what Quinn's doing to raise awareness and make, I guess, this world a much more inclusive place.
'When you talk about why (to) do these things, it is a bigger purpose. I think that's really important.'
Meanwhile, Quinn's Canadian team-mates are fully-behind their trailblazing efforts to normalise trans and non-binary people across football and society.
Christine Sinclair - captain of the national team - said: 'We joke that we don't deserve Quinn. They're that good of a person.'
What is Quinn doing off the field?
It is both heartwarming and inspiring that not only does Quinn feel comfortable to come out, but they are clearly motivated to be a role model for younger people who are looking up to trans and non-binary individuals in society.
Trans athletes have regularly been criticised in the media over recent months and years while significant legislation has been passed across the US in relation to trans people.
Quinn is appreciative of their role in helping the world understand more about trans issues and after the World Cup the midfielder plans to launch a mentor programme in Canada.
This will be for eight gender-diverse footballers aged between 13 and 17 and Quinn will support them under a new initiative called See Them, Be Them.
Speaking to the Toronto Star ahead of the tournament, Quinn emphasised how important this is given what is going on in the US in regards to trans and non-binary people.
![Quinn (right) is keen to help the world understand more about trans people and key issues](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546307-12331067-image-a-11_1690191956872.jpg)
Quinn (right) is keen to help the world understand more about trans people and key issues
![In the meantime, Quinn hopes to help Canada surpass their best performance at a World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/10/73546303-12331067-image-a-12_1690191960969.jpg)
In the meantime, Quinn hopes to help Canada surpass their best performance at a World Cup
'I think it is a scary time, for me,' they said. 'I think I do have a lot of points of privilege when entering this conversation, so I have to be mindful of that. But I think the reality is, it's scary.
'I'm someone who's gone through parts of medical transition, and I think trying to navigate the United States right now, which is where I live, it's a difficult one, for sure, in day-to-day life.
'I'm lucky enough to be in an environment in Seattle that's pretty liberal and accepting and easy to operate in, but I don't think that's the case for all of the US right now.
'The most vulnerable populations are trans kids, trans people of colour, they've been weaponised for political gain. And this has been a really targeted and diligent approach to create this narrative.'
They continued: 'The progression of trans rights in society isn't linear right now, (but) I think at the end of the day, it's something that's going to persevere, and is going to come out on top.
'And I think you're seeing that with the visibility of trans people in society. I think with that visibility, although it's bringing pushback, I think, if we're looking years down the road, it's going to lead to more acceptance.'
But for now, Quinn will be hoping to help Canada build on their Olympic Gold medal by surpassing their best-ever finish at a World Cup - the quarter-finals in 2015 - starting with a clash against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
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