On the same team: Gabi and Mikki

From rivals on the court in high school, to teammates on the national basketball team, and now partners in life, Gabrielle "Gabi" Race and Michelle "Mikki" Kautz say sports is what first brought them together—and what continues to strengthen their relationship.

Race, a member of the national soccer team, and Kautz, a national basketball player, said in an interview for Pride Month—which is every year in June, that their relationship grew through a shared understanding of the training, travel, and sacrifices that come with competing at a high level, as well as supporting one another on and off the court.

Being married as athletes, Kautz said, “We understand each other as athletes and know what time is dedicated to that, and know that we will always respect each other’s decision to keep playing and support one another.”

Race echoed her sentiment, saying, “I can’t imagine being with someone who wasn’t an athlete just because of that time sacrifice required, and Mikki totally gets it. I just got back from a tournament and I was training every single day. You miss family events, you’re late, you can’t show up—Mikki is exceptional. She always picks up the slack when I can’t, and I try to do the same.”

But, it wasn’t all rainbows. They said that they also had to learn how to navigate being teammates on the court and partners outside.

As for the Saipan sports community they grew up in, both said they were welcomed and found acceptance. Kautz shared: “For me, it’s been very welcoming. I think, personally, sports is a place where I feel I belong. Growing up, you kind of hide this part of yourself, and sports made me realize that it’s okay to be myself. That allowed me to find people who were like me, living their lives, and it allowed me to come out and be proud of myself. Now I’m very happy.”

For them, Pride Month is a reminder of how acceptance has not always been the reality in sports, and why visibility still matters for athletes who are still finding that same sense of belonging. “As a female athlete, there are a large number of us who are part of the community and part of our teams—and also represented on the national and elite level—but we don’t see the same with boys and men. We don’t see them out,” Race said. “That’s a very personal decision for everybody, but it would be great to see more of our male athletes be comfortable coming out.”

Visibility and representation, Race said, matters all the time—not just during Pride Month. “I think it’s important all the time, but Pride Month is a great opportunity to highlight that. Visibility and representation are important. Not that long ago, things were very different, and we’re very fortunate for the way things are now for us.”

Their message to LGBTQ+ athletes is simple: step into the game without fear, and don’t feel like they have to choose between sport and identity.

Kautz’ advice: “Always give any sport a try regardless of who’s in it because you’ll just never know what you’ll love... Know that there's always someone willing to accept you and teach you and guide you.” Race added, “Sports are for everybody.”