It’s time for another sports edition of the LGBTQ Parenting Roundup, and for Women’s History Month, I’m featuring queer parents in women’s pro sports! Let’s see what some of them have been up to.
Not only are these parents and athletes posting about their families, but their leagues are in many cases also doing so in a clear show of inclusion. Of course, some sports leagues could be better in terms of supporting pregnant and parenting members of all identities, but there seem to be moves in the right direction, and it’s great to see that queer parents are visibly in the conversation. The new Unrivaled Basketball League is arguably leading the way in parental benefits; perhaps unsurprisingly, it was founded by two players and moms: Breanna Stewart, who is queer, and Napheesa Collier, who is (to the best of my knowledge) straight.
On to the roundup! The athletes below are hardly the only queer parents in women’s sports right now, but they’re the ones who caught my eye for this roundup. Stay tuned for more.
Emerance Maschmeyer, a goaltender for the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge, was placed on long-term injured reserve status after an injury last week. We wish her well in her recovery. She and her spouse Geneviève Lacasse, welcomed their son Beckham last fall. Read some of her thoughts on balancing motherhood and hockey and being LGBTQ role models in this interview at The Ice Garden, and see her “chaotic motherhood mixed with pro athlete” reel below. “Somedays we have it all together, and other days, there’s hockey equipment in the play crib,” she writes. Even those of us who don’t play hockey can probably relate to the sentiment.
Maschmeyer and her team captain, Brianne Jenner (of Hyundai commercial fame), were also both highlighted by their team in a post for Women’s Empowerment Month. “We’re incredibly lucky to have four little members of the Charge family, and even luckier to have their Mama’s leading us on the ice,” the team wrote.
Jenner also shared on her own feed some adorable photos of her and spouse Hayleigh Cudmore (a former pro hockey player) teaching their daughter to skate. (Swipe for more adorableness.)
Amanda Pelkey, a forward with the PWHL’s Boston Fleet [Go Fleet! —Ed.], shared her feelings on motherhood and her career with this adorable photo, saying, “My whole world on the other side of the glass. Never would have dreamt about being able to say ‘momma’ and ‘athlete’ in the same sentence. Nothing tops this.”
Pelkey also shared last week that her spouse, Venla Hovi (a Finnish Olympic medalist and pro hockey coach), was heading back to work after having stayed home with their son since he was born last fall. “Thank you for all of the countless hours making sure our boy gets every ounce of love,” she said, noting that while his days would now be different, “The smile on his face when he saw you after work today will only get bigger.” She added, “Now it’s time for this boy to get endless love and attention from the girlies.” It takes a village—or a Fleet.
Mélodie Daoust, a former player for the PWHL’s Montreal Victoire, and Hanna Bunton, a former player for the (now-defunct) CWHL, announced a week ago that they are expecting. Daoust also has a son with her ex-spouse, Audrey St-Germain.
Moving from hockey to basketball, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury announced that superstar Diana Taurasi’s jersey would be retired in a ceremony in the summer of 2026, only the sixth Mercury player to receive that honor (one of the others being Taurasi’s spouse, Penny Taylor). The team made a point of noting, “It’s a family affair. Whole gang will be here to celebrate!”
Taurasi’s former Mercury teammate Brittney Griner, currently playing for Unrivaled’s Phantom, showed us that baby Bash is a fan of dancing (but maybe not the noise in the arena). Brittney and spouse Cherelle Griner welcomed Bash last July.
Finally, let’s not forget footy! Goaltender Adrianna Franch of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current also brings her son to games. “Our 12th player always keep us grounded,” she wrote. She and spouse Emily Boscacci became parents in 2021.
