Canadian Becomes First Trans, Non-Binary Person to Win Olympic Medal | World

Quinn plays for Canada’s women’s soccer team, is trans, non-binary (does not identify as male or female), and uses pronouns only.

Quinn plays in midfield and came out at halftime for midfielder Júlia Grosso, who hit the final penalty and secured the first Olympic gold for the Canadian women’s soccer team.

The Tokyo Olympics have gone down in history not only as the pandemic Games, but also as those of diversity and the defense of gender equality.

A survey from the “OutSports” website shows that there are at least 160 LGBTQIA + (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary) athletes supposed in this year’s edition.

This makes the competition more diverse than the last two Olympics (London and 2012 and Rio 2016), which brought together 79 outdoor LGBTQIA + athletes.

Understand in the video below what the acronym LGBTQIA + means:

To become champions, the Canadians faced the favorite teams of the first phase and eliminated Brazil on penalties (see the video below) and in the semi-final the formidable American team.

It was Canada’s first victory over the United States in women’s football in 20 years.

Gold was won by the Canadians after two consecutive bronze medals, London 2012 and Rio 2016 (where they also beat the Brazilians in the dispute for 3rd place).

Quinn won the medal at Rio 2016, but at the time he did not publicly assume himself as a trans person and not binary.

‘I don’t know how to feel’

Two weeks ago, Quinn wrote on a social network: “First openly trans competing in the Olympics. I don’t know how to feel.”

“I am proud to see ‘Quinn’ in the training and my accreditation,” he said. “It makes me sad to know that there were Olympic athletes before me who couldn’t live their truth because of the world.”

“I am optimistic about changes. Changes in laws. Changes in rules, structures and mentalities,” said Quinn, who nonetheless said he was “aware of the realities”.

“Trans girls are banned from playing sports. Trans women face discrimination and prejudice as they try to achieve their Olympic dreams. The fight is not near the end … and I will celebrate when we will all be here. ”

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