Record number of queer Paralympics
The representation of non-heteronormative people at the Tokyo Olympics has already been widely covered in the media. Let me remind you in few words - at least 185 of the sportsmen were LGBT (new record after 2016 Olympics with 56 LGBT participants), including the first trans Olympians in history. The Paralympics, although much less popular, also boasted many queer sportsmen and women.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics began August 24, 2021, and will last until September 5. According to CNN , at least 30 non-heteronormative people will take part in the Games. They represent eight countries and at least twelve sports. Most of them come from the United States (9 sportsmen), the United Kingdom (9), and Canada (3). In addition, there are two more people from Australia, Germany, and Brazil.
Wheelchair basketball players account for more than 40 percent of the LGBTQ + list. Women far outnumber men. The UK women's wheelchair basketball team has two players who have been privately a couple for over six years. Robyn Love and Laurie Williams got engaged last February. Before the Olympics, Robyn posted a post on Instagram in which she wrote:
I can't imagine what my trip to Great Britain would have been like if Laurie and I weren't together.
The only gay person at the Paralympics in Tokyo is Sir David Lee Pearson. He is an equestrian who has already won eleven gold medals at the Paralympics until now. Two non-binary people also take part in the competition - shot putter Maria "Maz" Strong and Robyn Lambbird taking part in wheelchair races. Both represent Australia.
We can expect more and more LGBT+ participants in the futures editions. They were always there, but they often felt forced to hide their sexuality and pretend to be somebody else. With the change of times, more people are openly saying in the interviews about their relationships or future plans. Unfortunately, it still is true only in western communities, where the basic rights of the LGBT community are guaranteed by law. All the nonheteronormative participants of Paralympics and most of LGBT Olympics are from 46 countries with gay marriages or civil unions.
Thank you for reading,
@papi.mati