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[ID: Wales native, Jessica Fishlock with head coach of OL Reign, Laura Harvey]

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Audre Lorde was an eminent author and activist who coined the term, erotic.

The erotic can be defined as, “a resource within each of us that lies in a deeply female and spiritual plane, firmly rooted in our unexpressed or unrecognized power” (Lorde 87). Further, the erotic has a deep sense of feelings and emotions that are often suppressed due to societal norms, yet Lorde wants to exploit that these feelings need to be expressed as they lead to a newfound power which can be seen in the Women’s soccer team, OL Reign. Laura Harvey is the head coach for the team and has become one of the best not only for her style of coaching but the way in which she connects with each player. Harvey taps into her erotic to be able to understand each and every player in order to help them succeed. She is not afraid to express her emotions when on the field which in turn makes her team undeniably the best.

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[ID: From left to right, Lauren Barnes, Jessica Fishlock, and Megan Rapinoe]

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Functions of the Erotic With Lauren Barnes, Jessica Fishlock, and Megan Rapinoe

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Functions of the Erotic With Lauren Barnes, Jessica Fishlock, and Megan Rapinoe

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The erotic functions in many ways, yet in particular, the erotic functions by “providing the power which comes from sharing deeply any pursuit with another person. The sharing of joy…forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding” (Lorde 89). Many individuals are led to believe that sports are a toxic environment due to the constant need to compete against one another, yet that is far from the truth. In fact, sports, in particular, the OL Reign team are prided on their team culture. Laura Harvey has tapped into her erotic creating an environment for the players to exude joy and love amongst one another which can often be seen between Lauren Barnes, Jessica Fishlock, and Megan Rapinoe. They create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone including their fans. These three players have defied sports culture by sharing their true joy on and off the field. They have created an unbreakable bond that allows them to have that deep understanding of one another.

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[ID: Megan Rapinoe saying her final goodbyes during her last match]

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The Erotic As Joy Expressed Through Megan Rapinoe

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The Erotic As Joy Expressed Through Megan Rapinoe

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Another function of the erotic is the “deep and irreplaceable knowledge of [a] capacity for joy comes to demand from all of [one's] life” (Lorde 89). Megan Rapinoe is often known for being an outspoken lesbian and is often expressing how she always wants to be her true authentic self no matter what. This perfectly encompasses the erotic as, Rapinoe feels deeply within each aspect of her life, thus making her one of the best soccer players of all time. In addition, Rapinoe redefines women's soccer as she uses her erotic to empower those around her and her fans. We feel her joy, love, and anger, as she engulfs her emotions to the fullest which allows us to want to fight for social change too. She uses her platform to exploit the notion that “Women empowered are dangerous” and if we too can tap into our erotic and feel that joy within ourselves, we too can make a change (Lorde 88). This leads individuals to see that women's sports can indeed be an environment where individuals are tapping into their erotic to make a difference.

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Connections Between Queer Desire and the Erotic With Quinn

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Connections Between Queer Desire and the Erotic With Quinn

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Furthermore, when individuals think about sports, they do not believe that they are not welcoming to everyone. Yet, that is far from the truth as can be seen on the OL Reign team, as well as many other teams all over the world. Quinn is a transgender man who plays in the National Women’s Soccer team. Quinn has stated that they have a newfound confidence due to the acceptance from fans and teammates. Quinn not only is able to fulfill their queer desire to be seen as who they truly are, but they are also able to play a game with individuals who accept them for who they are when typically in sports, transgender folk are dehumanized. Further, they can tap into their true identity and true emotions as their “erotic is recognized” (Lorde 90). Quinn finds joy in who they are and with the acceptance of those around them, they are able to embrace it which is absolutely beautiful fully. Although sports can be quite toxic, they can also be a place of pure joy and acceptance.

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[ID: Myself (Sophie) with my beautiful partner, Veronica at an OL Reign Game]

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Sports are my happy place especially when I get to share that love and joy with my partner. Through soccer, I have been shown that I can love who I want and that it is okay. I have been shown the importance of community as those individuals will be the ones who show up for us and accept us. While watching soccer I feel free to unapologetically be myself. I get to live in a queer world where I do not have to succumb to heteronormative standards. Furthermore, watching players like Megan Rapinoe allows me to see that women who are empowered are dangerous, we just have to tap into our erotic.