Tokyo 2020 Paralympics sees record number of LGBTQ athletes
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics has become one of the most inclusive sports events ever as a record number of openly LGBTQ athletes compete for a medal.
At least 28 openly LGBTQ Paralympians are participating in the Tokyo Games according to Outsports. The Games kicked off on Tuesday and have more than double the number of out-and-proud athletes who took part in the 2016 Rio Games.
At least eight countries are represented by a member of the LGBTQ community. The countries with more than one Paralympian to Tokyo are the United States and Great Britain with nine athletes each, Canada with three, and Australia, Germany and Brazil, with two athletes representing each country.
The news comes after another record-breaking number of LGBTQ athletes in the Olympics – at least 185 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
That’s more than three times the number of Olympians who went to Rio in 2016.
On Monday, GLAAD hosted an interview with volleyball champion Monique Matthews.
“Most people see us as an inspiration because we are disabled, so they usually look past if you’re LGBTQ … but we want them to see the whole us. Which is why I’m happy that so many [athletes] are out this year compared to last Paralympics,” Matthews said.
“Hopefully it just continues to grow, and they know that they have support and there are people there for them,” she added.
Dame Sarah Storey wins Team GB’s first gold medal at Tokyo Paralympics
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