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Wales legend Jess Fishlock says she felt compelled to become an ambassador for the 2027 EuroGames in Cardiff because of the "political climate" for LGBTQ+ people.
Fishlock, 39, is Wales' record appearance-maker and goalscorer, earning 166 senior caps and hitting 48 goals before retiring from international football last October.
She was asked at last year's Cardiff Pride whether she would take an ambassadorial role for the EuroGames as her hometown becomes the first in the UK to host Europe's biggest annual LGBTQ+ multi-sports event.
It is expected up to 10,000 participants will compete in venues across the city including Llanrumney - the suburb of Cardiff where Fishlock grew up.
The personal connection, as a Welsh sportsperson and an out gay woman, meant she had no hesitation in accepting.
"It's something that is important to me, that I resonate with deeply. I see it as an honour, and it is important for visibility," she told BBC Sport.
"You can't avoid the political climate right now. It is super important to be involved in these kinds of things; I don't want to say change the narrative, but to more support something that means a lot to me."
The EuroGames were first staged in 1992, and are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, skill level or age.
Organisers say the event was set up in response to discrimination and to promote integration in sport.
There are currently no senior men's footballers who are out as gay in British professional leagues.
Recent reports have indicated growing homophobia in British schools and wider society.
It is widely recognised that LGBT people, including Fishlock, are more openly accepted in women's football - and she wants to use her status to promote tolerance.
"I've been out for many years now, and with deciding to be out while I play, I choose to use my platform within our community," she said.
"It feels right to be part of this. It feels relevant to who I am as a human being, and to create awareness of these athletes and their lives. And enjoyment is key to this as well - I want to be on the side which is celebrating these athletes."
Fishlock has featured in the Women's Super League for Bristol and Reading, and now plays for Seattle Reign in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - the top tier of women's football in the United States.
She is not intending to enter the football event at the EuroGames - but is still keen to play in a different sport.
"I'd like to be involved as much as I can. I hope to physically be there. I love padel! So, I will speak to organisers," she said.
The EuroGames were founded in the early 1990s following the second global Gay Games in San Francisco in 1986, as a more accessible event for LGBTQ+ Europeans.
Manchester was due to hold the 1999 edition but it was cancelled amid financial issues - and Birmingham and London have previously made bids to host.
"What's not fun about these events?" said Fishlock. "They can be so open and caring.
"Sport is such a gateway to amazing life experiences. You don't have to be a professional to enjoy that."
The EuroGames are independently governed by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation and follows its own rules regarding participation, meaning transgender people can compete in the category aligned with their lived gender.
Numerous national and international sports governing bodies have banned transgender women from competing in female categories amid concerns over fairness and safety.
Some acted after a Supreme Court ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Fishlock hopes the EuroGames can help combat a "stigma" around transgender people in sport.
"That is a big part of the EuroGames," she said. "It is hard to really address the situation without getting into politics, which is difficult for a lot of people.
"The stigma makes it difficult, so hopefully we can take away some of the fear that creates hate.
"It is a polarising topic, but hopefully by bringing it into Wales we can spread visibility and education."
A EuroGames spokesperson told BBC Sport conversations were ongoing with the Welsh government on the topic, while saying they fully support trans athletes competing in events aligned with their gender identity.
"Sport and physical activity should be for everyone," they said. "We want to make EuroGames accessible to everyone, including straight allies. The only way you can fight hate is with love."
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed