Gay us olympians

Meet the Openly LGBTQ Athletes Competing at the Winter Olympics

by HRC Staff •

More than 10 LGBTQ athletes from around the globe are in Pyeongchang to challenge in the Winter Olympics, the most ever to participate in the Winter Games.

Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

More than 10 LGBTQ athletes from around the globe are in Pyeongchang to compete in the Winter Olympics, the most ever to participate in the Winter Games.

At the 2014 games in Sochi, seven openly LGBTQ athletes competed, all of whom were women. Russia’s harsh anti-LGBTQ agenda made widespread expression of endorse for the LGBTQ community a chance for both Olympic athletes and attendees.

Unfortunately, while there are many talented and successful transgender athletes around the globe, there are no openly transgender athletes competing in the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. The similar was true at the 2016 Rio Games.

Anti-LGBTQ Mike Pence led the U.S. delegation at today’s opening ceremony. Two openly gay U.S. Olympians, Gus Kenworthy and Adam Rippon, have been critical of Pence’s role.

These openly LGBTQ Olympic at

According to OutSports, at least 155 out LGBTQ athletes from 25 countries will compete in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

In fact, historically, LGBTQ athletes have been so successful that if they were to create their own country (Team LGBTQ), they would place 7th overall in the all-time Olympic medal count.

From historic achievements, to personal journeys of resilience, these athletes not only embody sporting excellence but are contributing to the rich history of LGBTQ inclusion at the highest level of sport.

Sha’Carri Richardson, she/her | (USA – Track & Field)

Sha’Carri Richardson has etched her name into the annals of Track and Field with her unmatched integrate of speed, style and resilience. Her journey to becoming one of the fastest women on Earth began at Louisiana Declare University. As a Freshman, she shattered records at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Footpath and Field Championships–including Allyson Felix’s 2004 200-meter Olympic record–setting the stage for her meteoric ascend in the sport.

Years later, Richardson had an amazing performance at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Route and Field trials and secured her spot on Team USA for Tokyo. However, due to a con

LGBTQ athletes take their marks on the track at the Paris Olympic Games

This year's U.S. Olympic team has a star-studded cast of LGBTQ athletes headed to Paris.

At least 29 competitors are prepared to receive on the international games, according to a database compiled by LGBTQ news outlet OutSports.

These athletes are just a handful of the LGBTQ representation to expect at the Olympic Games. OutSports recorded at least 151 LGBTQ athletes representing countries around the world that are set to take up the competition in Paris.

For the U.S., that representation will radiate in sports across the athletic spectrum -- from basketball to rowing to rugby -- putting a spotlight on a community facing growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment across the globe.

"LGBTQ athletes have likely competed in the Olympics and Paralympics since the very first games in history, " said LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD in a statement. "Today, more athletes than ever are comfortable organism out as their true, authentic selves and are embraced and supported by fans, fellow competitors, and sponsors."

On the track -- and in the field -- you'll uncover some newly minted Olympians to observe and som

A Brief History of Openly Gay Olympians

^^ I should think that this kind of documentation is incomplete. I didn't notice a mention of Rudy Galindo. Granted that Rudy never had the opportunity to compete at an Olympics. But Rudy came out at a time when it was considered very un-PC to do so. Rudy's truthfulness, outspokenness and his entertaining pro career certainly made a difference toward more acceptance and relaxing of conservative attitudes toward gays in figure skating. But there was still a long way to go.

What I question in some of the article takes on this topic, is the insistence by journalists and some LGBT advocates on making it all about the Olympics in regard to coming out. I do understand the idea behind this get is that the Olympics has a more global, far-reaching spotlight which receives huge media coverage.

Another signal is that Johnny Weir was very outspoken. He was always being asked questions about 'gays in skating.' He didn't introverted away from answering, although he never took the leap of giving the media what they wanted: verbal confirmation that he himself was gay. But it was obvious, and I never felt Johnny was hiding anyth