Test of Courage: An Evening with Thomas Hitzlsperger

In time for World Pride in Washington, DC international soccer player Thomas Hitzlsperger shares his own experiences as a professional athlete and talks about his ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in sports. His coming out as a gay professional soccer player in 2014 was a milestone in the fight against homophobia in soccer and society.

Join celebrated German soccer player Thomas Hitzlsperger for a powerful conversation about his life, career, and his memoir Mutproben (Tests of Courage). In this event, organized and hosted by the German Embassy and the Goethe-Institut Washington, Hitzlsperger will share his journey as a professional athlete, his decision to come out after retirement, and his ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in sports.

The moderated discussion will explore the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes and the importance of visibility in professional soccer.

Attendees will have the chance to gain deeper insights into his motivations, his hopes for the future of sports, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear from a true icon of German soccer and a passionate advocate for positive change.

In 2024 was published his memoir “Tests of Courage” (Mutproben), in which he reflects on his life, career, and his decision to come out publicly after his retirement. “Tests of courage” will be available in English in the near future.