Former England captain Casey Stoney and Commonwealth diving champion Tom Daley have been included in The Independent On Sunday's annual Rainbow List.
The list recognises the 101 people that are judged to have contributed the most over the last 12 months to the fight for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Stoney, who rejoined Arsenal Ladies earlier this year, is the top-ranked sportsperson on the list, placing ninth.
Daley, who announced that he was in a relationship with a man last year, is a new entry to the list at 15, one spot higher than Olympic and Commonwealth boxing champion Nicola Adams.
Former Wales rugby international Gareth Thomas, who has been leading a campaign to stop bullying in schools, was 35th, while Team GB's Paralympic sitting-volleyball captain Claire Harvey also featured.