The Paris Olympics and LGBTQ Olympians

More than 150 LGBTQ Olympians are competing for gold at this year’s Paris Olympics, celebrating world unity, athletics and cultural diversity on the world stage. LGBTQ athletes have competed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games since perhaps the first Olympics in history, but today, more athletes than ever before feel comfortable coming out as they are and are accepted and supported by fans, fellow competitors and sponsors. Around 35 LGBTQ athletes will compete in the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, and a record 222 out athletes competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On Sunday, July 28, Amandine Bouchard will compete in judo. Bouchard won the team gold medal in Tokyo and the silver medal in the individual 52 kg, so she already has a strong chance of winning a medal in Paris. Next, we’ll look at Evi Leibfaas, who will compete in the canoe slalom. 20-year-old Leib Firth has already made history as the first American woman to compete in three different canoe and kayak events at the Olympics. Then Tyler Wright and Sarah Baum will compete in surfing and make a change of pace in Tahiti. Watch the world’s best female shortboarders in action in the first qualifying round. While France’s LGBTQ policies are generally considered inclusive and there is a vibrant queer community, especially in Paris, LGBTQ athletes continue to need support and resources to combat the rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and attacks. According to a 2023 report released by the French LGBTQ organization SOS Homophobe, there was a 28% increase in physical attacks against LGBTQ people and a 26% increase in transphobic incidents in 2022. Let’s cheer on our brave LGBTQ Olympians.



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