LGBT Representation to Rise at the Beijing Winter Olympics

As Beijing prepares for the Winter Olympics 2022, the repression of the LGBQT community is being challenged by the growing number of LGBQT athletes who will be performing at the games. 

The games are held to show the progression of equality and acceptance of the athletes competing in the event. The hosting country has shown reluctance to adequately support the LGBQT’s participation in the games. Additionally, China has declared tightened rules on personal expression by the LGBT people. This includes restricting influence of “sissy men” who portray a lack of masculinity while performing. Social media accounts involving LGBT groups are forced to be deleted and Pride marches have been cancelled. 

32 brave LGBT athletes are set to compete at the games in China. At the Winter games in PyeongChang 4 years ago, 15 participants declared being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender before competing on the ice. In 2022, the Winter Olympics will see an additional 17 LGBQT athletes in the upcoming games.  

Cyd Zeigler, the strategic partnership lead at Outsports, told Sportsmail : 'The number of out LGBT athletes at these Games will be more than Sochi and all the other Winter Olympics combined,'. Zeigler explains Beijing will continue the raise awareness and approval towards increasing inclusion in sport, despite the intolerance of the hosts. 

Timothy LeDuc will be representing the USA as well as the LGBQT community during the games. The figure skater was the first openly gay athlete to win gold in the US pairs’ event in 2019, alongside his partner Ashley Cain-Gribble.  

LeDuc comments: “We are still fighting; we can do this”. During LeDuc’s interview, he explained that as the first openly gay gold achieving athlete he will stand by his community and recognise people who fear to openly come out to the world.

Snowboarder Belle Brockhoff of Australia is competing in her third Olympics. Ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Brockshoff came out as a lesbian, and she highlighted the anti-gay laws in Russia.  

In an Australian TV interview reported by Outsports, Brockhoff says, "I want to be proud of who I am and be proud of all the work I've done to get into the Olympics and not have to deal with this law." The snowboarder continues to support the LGBQT and inspire people to come out despite fears of laws and intolerance within certain communities.  

Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst, who identifies as bisexual, is the most decorated LGBTQ+ Olympian ever with 11 medals, including five gold. The Olympian has been acknowledged as a successful athlete, regardless of her sexual orientation and her contribution to the LGBQT community.

During an interview with a Dutch magazine, her relationship with girlfriend Sanne van Kerkhof was questioned without mention of her career. During the interview, Wüst questions why all interview questions are based on her sexual orientation. She proceeded to talk about her skating performance.

The Olympic rings are used express the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents with the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. The rings are also a symbol of unity of performers coming together to represent their countries. The LGBQT participants should be allowed to represent their community, express their individuality, as well as their achievements, without backgrounds of discrimination from opposing communities.