Record number of openly LGBTQ athletes are competing in Tokyo, as more pros come out too – NorthJersey.com
When Quinn stepped onto the pitch for the Canadian women’s soccer team in their opening match in Tokyo, they became a part of history. In that moment, Quinn, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, became the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic games.
“I feel proud seeing `Quinn’ up on the lineup and on my accreditation. I feel sad knowing there were Olympians before me unable to live their truth because of this world,” Quinn said on Instagram following the match. “I feel optimistic for change. Change in legislature, Changes in rules, structures, and mindsets.”
But in these historic games, Quinn is also part of a larger reality on the international stage.
They are part of a record number of publicly out gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and nonbinary athletes competing in Tokyo this summer, according to the SB Nation blog Outsports, which has been tallying the number of openly LGBTQ athletes competing in these Olympics. The latest count stands at 169 athletes — more than triple the number of publicly out athletes who competed in the 2016 games in Rio.
For fans of soccer in the United States, Quinn, who plays for OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League, is a familiar face on the pitch. For those who may only know their name now after making history, Quinn, and other athletes like them, can serve as inspiration, local advocates say.
“Millions of people around the world will be watching the Tokyo Olympics. For viewers who are LGBTQ, particularly those who face stigma around their identities, seeing openly LGBTQ athletes from around the world competing at the highest level possible of their sport — including the first openly trans athlete to compete in the Olympics — will be inspirational,” said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Garden State Equality. “And this immense public forum also gives athletes the opportunity to speak up for LGBTQ rights and against injustice.”
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Team USA has the most out athletes at these Olympics, with at least 35 on Outsports’ lists. That includes some of sports’ biggest names, including women’s soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Kelley O’Hara, and WNBA greats Sue Bird and Brittney Griner.
One of the more notable names on the list includes Tom Daley, who alongside diving partner Matty Lee won gold for Great Britain. In a powerful message to the LGBTQ community, Daley said, “I hope that any young LGBT person out there can see that no matter how alone you feel right now, you are not alone and that you can achieve anything and there is a whole lot of your chosen family out here ready to support you.”
“I feel incredibly proud to say that I am a gay man and also an Olympic champion,” Daley said.
The increase in out athletes competing at the summer games is a sign of the times. There is growing acceptance of LGBTQ people in sports. In recent months, there have been several high-profile examples of active players in the NFL and NHL coming out.
Last month, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out as the first active openly gay NFL player and received an outpouring of support. Three weeks later, Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop also came out as gay, becoming the first player under an NHL contract to do so.
“There’s a clear trend of more and more athletes feeling empowered to be open about their LGBTQ identities,” said Fuscarino. “That global trend certainly has an impact on the national level, as we’ve seen in the U.S. with NFL player Carl Nassib and NHL prospect Luke Prokop, and likely down to the state and local levels too. That’s particularly important in some states, where trans athletes, especially trans girls, are facing unprecedented opposition to prevent them from participating in sports.”
Although visibility is growing, athletes across the United States, particularly at the most vulnerable levels, are facing backlash. More than 30 states have introduced or passed bills that limit the ability of trans athletes’ participation, despite shaky evidence and the damaging effects advocates say exclusion can cause for transgender youth.
Athletes such as Quinn are well aware of the divisive times the LGBTQ community faces, as alluded to in their Instagram post after making history last week. Though the historic game for Quinn wasn’t much to celebrate after a 1-1 draw, Quinn said they look forward to a future that could be celebrated.
“Mostly, I feel aware of the realities,” Quinn wrote. “Trans girls being banned from sports. Trans women facing discrimination and bias while trying to pursue their olympic dreams. The fight isn’t close to over… and I’ll celebrate when we’re all here.”
Melanie Anzidei is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: anzidei@northjersey.com
Twitter: @melanieanzidei