Maia Bouchier wants to 'pave the way' for future LGBTQ+ cricketers

"I want to improve it for people passing by and increase awareness," says Bouchier. "There is no other way. We must lead the way."

Bouchier is considered as one of the youngest talented players in English cricket. She played 19 T20 games for England, while becoming a Southern Brave mainstay in The Hundred.

Now, by sharing her experiences, the Kensington-born dough hopes to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ stereotypes and assumptions while being a role model for the next generation.

Bouchier, unfortunately, knows how difficult it can be, describing growing up and hiding his true self as " consumer ".

"I thought, 'I can't just keep it' because it happens to a point where I'm down," she said.

"It was important for me and my parents because my Mom and her family are Iranian. Their origin is quite religious and that certainly stopped me a bit."

Fortunately, Bouchier had her brother to confide in, who reassured her "how much the 'same-sex attraction is normal'.

Then came the time of a family vacation when she was alone with his parents.

< p class="" data-reactid=".24qo44kjcg8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10">"I said 'I think I'm bisexual'", recalls Bouchier . "There was a little moment of silence, which felt like an eternity, but then my dad said 'we've got your back. Whatever you do, whatever choice you make. We love you and I am so glad you could tell us."

However, the reaction was not entirely positive. At school, Bouchier was bullied for being gay by other students.

"The girls at my school had no respect for me being gay," she said. "A few people who were gay in my year left because they just couldn't deal with it. People were so disrespectful and homophobic.

"Even my teachers knew how bad bullying was. They couldn't do anything about it because it was the culture of the school."

Both- Both Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup winner found a place where she felt she belonged, however.

"It's crazy to think that cricket has made such a difference," says Bouchier.

"Especially in The development side of England, people from all over the country were pushed together, but we all embraced everyone. There was no judgment on where you were from or who you were with."

All the way Throughout her career, Bouchier has cherished being part of such welcoming and inclusive female teams that have proven essential to her personal development.

In particular, she thanks her Southern Brave teammate Rhianna Southby for helping her come to terms with her identity.

"I've known her for years, and she was one of the first people to talk to me about being gay when we were 13/14," Bouchier says. "It's one of the conversations that stuck with me because I remember being so easy to talk about it with her.

"I'm so happy to be where I am. I'm so happy...