Actor Sophia Bush and soccer player Ashlyn Harris have both joined the board of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which is the largest LGBTQ advocacy organization in the United States. This development has been met with enthusiasm from the LGBTQ community and their supporters.
Ashlyn Harris, known for her role as a goalkeeper with the U.S. women’s national soccer team, expressed her commitment to the cause with a passionate statement on social media. “This is not just a role; it’s a commitment to fight for LGBTQ+ justice and equality with everything I’ve got,” she said. “Let’s get to work!”
Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris became widely recognized as a prominent queer couple after Bush publicly came out and shared her relationship with Harris in an emotional essay for Glamour magazine earlier this year. This revelation has resonated with many fans.
In her Glamour piece, Bush reflected on her understanding of her sexuality, noting, “I think I’ve always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum. Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer. I can’t say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great.”
Although Bush has yet to publicly comment on her new role with the HRC, she previously mentioned in her Glamour essay that the hostile political climate towards LGBTQ individuals played a significant role in her decision to come out. “I sort of hate the notion of having to come out in 2024,” she wrote. “But I’m deeply aware that we are having this conversation in a year when we’re seeing the most aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in modern history.”
Bush highlighted the concerning legislative trends, noting that more than 500 bills targeting LGBTQ people were considered by state legislatures last year, with 75 of those becoming law, as reported by NBC News. This year, over 520 similar bills have already been introduced, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
In a press release announcing the new board members, the Human Rights Campaign praised Bush as a “dedicated activist and philanthropist who passionately supports projects empowering girls and women.” The HRC highlighted her role as a general partner and investor in Union Heritage Ventures, a firm that is majority Black- and women-owned. Additionally, Bush co-founded and serves on the board of I am a voter, a nonpartisan organization focused on voting and civic engagement.
The HRC also noted Ashlyn Harris’s notable activism, including her role as one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against U.S. Soccer for equal pay. Her efforts in this legal battle underscore her commitment to fairness and societal change. The lawsuit, which Harris and her co-plaintiffs settled in 2022, was a significant milestone for gender equity in sports.
Furthermore, Harris’s dedication to advancing women’s opportunities in sports continues through her work with the Women’s Sports Foundation, a nonprofit established by tennis legend Billie Jean King. Harris’s involvement with this organization reinforces her ongoing commitment to fostering equality and supporting women in athletics.
