Who run the world? The United States Women’s National Soccer Team, that’s who.
Fresh off the heels of their incredible World Cup victory, the USWNT—led in part by standout gay athletes Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, and Ashlyn Harris, among others—took to the streets of New York City this Wednesday, July 10, to celebrate their win and champion their fight for gender parity in professional sports. The ladies international soccer champs were joined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, and U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro.
Below, find 25 highlights from the ticker tape parade. And let’s get one thing straight: These athletes are total lesbian icons.
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Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, and Alex Morgan hyping up the crowd
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I just…
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The aerial shot to end all aerial shots
New York City turned OUT for the @USWNT at the Canyon of Heroes. #TickerTapeParade #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/2OyMGtelSF
— City of New York (@nycgov) July 10, 2019
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This sign *cries*
This teenager’s sign for @mPinoe made me cry a few happy tears ️ pic.twitter.com/kBNQ2jH2ZC
— whembley (@whembleysewell) July 10, 2019
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The team!
Honestly, no one deserves a parade more than these women right now. #USWNTParade pic.twitter.com/NPjOq6MWW6
— E! News (@enews) July 10, 2019
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The Youths™️ joining the fun—and the fight for #EqualPay
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The queens celebrating with some well-deserved bubbly
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Gurl, same
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The purple-haired lesbian goddess herself taking the stage
GONNA BE LIT pic.twitter.com/AvN1ORI7uX
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 10, 2019
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Someone knows how to make an entrance!
US women’s soccer star @mPinoe knows how to make an entrance #USNWT #OneNationOneTeam @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/upu1m5TQfY
— Andrea Cavallier (@acavallierNYC) July 10, 2019
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Women’s March in the house!
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#Rapinoe2020?!
“There’s no other place I would rather be even in the presidential race,” Megan Rapinoe says at the #USWNTParade. “I’m busy, I’m sorry” #TickerTapeParade pic.twitter.com/mL7QTUQB1m
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) July 10, 2019
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*sips tea*
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Obama tweeting in support of “America’s best team”—while Trump remains an adversary
Proud to rep America’s best team! Congrats @USWNT and thanks for being such a strong inspiration for women and girls—and everybody—all across the country. pic.twitter.com/9Gp6UTZhEE
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 10, 2019
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Michelle chiming in, too!
So proud of you, Team USA—you inspire us all! #OneNationOneTeam https://t.co/YEHzyqOwZa
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 7, 2019
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Bill de Blasio leading the “USA! Equal Pay!” chant
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio leads chant of "USA! Equal pay!" in speech honoring U.S. women's national soccer team's World Cup win. https://t.co/9KtjDoVVnD #USWNTParade pic.twitter.com/mTdrNufgI4
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) July 10, 2019
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Another sign we can’t stop thinking about
Someone here at City Hall has a two sided sign. Side one: GAYS RULE. THAT’S JUST SCIENCE. Side two: KELLEY O’HARA I HAVE BOOZE FOR YOU. Honestly incredible work. #USWNT
— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) July 10, 2019
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Gov. Cuomo signing pay equity bills into law at the parade
#BREAKING: I just signed new pay equity legislation at the #USWNTParade.
The women's soccer team plays the same game that the men’s soccer players play — only better. If anything, the men should get paid less.
Thank you @USWNT for helping lead this movement for change! pic.twitter.com/qHy2aYs2Tl
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 10, 2019
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AOC with the hottest tea of all:
At this point we shouldn’t even be asking for #EqualPay for the #USWMNT – we should demand they be paid at least twice as much https://t.co/VXITg24UB3
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 7, 2019
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The queen, saluting her people
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Once more with feeling
Al Bello/Getty Images