Tests of Courage: An Evening with German Soccer Player 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.

Thomas Hitzlsperger was born in Munich in 1982 and was a professional soccer player in England, Germany and Italy. He won the German championship in 2007, achieved third place with the national team at the 2006 World Cup and was runner-up in 2008. From October 2019 to March 2022, Thomas Hitzlsperger was CEO of VfB Stuttgart, where he was previously the sports director, director of the youth academy and a member of the executive committee - the 52-time national player has been an ambassador for diversity for the German FA since 2017. Since 2023 he is co-owner of Aalborg BK, a Danish Superligaen Club. He has been a member of the supervisory board of Italian Serie A club Hellas Verona since January 2025. Besides that, he is owner of L'´Escargot, Londons oldest french restaurant.

This event is co-hosted by the Goethe-Institut Washington DC and the German Embassy Washington. Generous support has been provided by TEAM DC.

This is a World Pride Partner Event.

Also check out other Sports events in Washington.