💥 Read this insightful post from BBC Sport 📖
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The 25-year-old, who has 48 caps for the Netherlands, found love in Manchester, settling down with partner Ruth, whom she met on a dating app.
Casparig, who is now an openly gay woman, says the community is “close to her heart.”
“It was difficult sometimes growing up until I got into women’s football. It was normal and talked about publicly [at Heerenveen]”, she said.
“I learned a lot about myself. I didn’t have that when I was young. I had a lot of doubts and questions.
“I was lying awake at night thinking, ‘Is this weird or am I weird?’ “Being able to be that role model now with my partner, for a lot of young girls, is so important.”
The right-back has a platform to promote inclusivity in women’s football and she has taken full advantage.
She wears rainbow laces on her football boots, rainbow armbands, regularly posts messages of LGBTQ+ support on social media, and in April, dedicated her goal against Everton to the transgender community.
“The reason I find it really important to spread the word and stand with people is because in modern society, if it’s not against you a lot of times, you don’t say anything,” Casparig said.
“It’s important that we advocate for people who need this to feel supported. For example, the transgender community. They are good people and I care about them.
“I want to show that I stand with them. I hope to inspire people to do the same. I think we need more togetherness in general and a sense of community.”
She has supported numerous campaigns – most recently becoming a patron of the LGBTQ Foundation, which helped fund domestic violence and transphobia helplines.
“I think queer women are having a hard time right now and I want to help them get into safe spaces,” Casparig said.
“In cases of domestic violence, for example, queer women are often overlooked. I want to make sure they have a place to heal and someone to talk to.
“I want to be a woman who helps women.”
She is also passionate about being a role model for young queer women – the kind of representation she wished she had as a child.
“It’s good to be able to make others remove doubt. It’s about helping them understand why they feel the way they feel,” she added.
“I always love being surrounded by queer people. Feeling included and supported is important. All I want to do is spread love.”
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