Brittany Bowe - USA

Brittany Bowe, a speed skater from the United States, competing in her third Olympic Games. Bowe was the first openly LGBTQ+ athlete to be named to Roster USA's Olympic squad for 2022.

She has a record in the 1,000-meter and she has also held four additional world records throughout her career. For more than a decade, Bowe has been one of the top distance speed skaters in the United States.

lreen Wüst - Netherlands

Dutch, a bisexual speed skater, will participate at the age of 35 this year. Ireen Wüst is the most decorated LGBTQ+ Olympic athlete of all time, with gold medals in every Olympic Games since 2006.

Timothy LeDuc of the United States

Timothy LeDuc is one of the first openly non-binary Olympic figure skater to compete in the Winter Games. The figure skater hopes to pave the way for others to participate in the sport without being constrained by gender conventions.

France's Guillaume Cizeron

Cizeron, is a seven-time French National Champion and four-time World Champion, They have set a new record in the European Championships by winning five years in a row.

France's Kevin Aymoz

The current and five-time French National Champion, Kévin Aymoz, will compete in the Games. Aymoz, a gifted skater who has participated in some of the world's most prestigious

Until 2001, homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder in China, but it is now legal, though many people still avoid coming out to their families due to the stigma.

In comparison to the summer Olympics, the winter Olympics are usually smaller in scale. Over 182 openly LGBTQ+ athletes competed in the Tokyo Summer Olympics, winning 57 medals. It's important to compare the Winter and Summer Olympics because the Winter Olympics have fewer sports and a smaller number of countries and athletes.

China continues to pursue genocidal policies against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, subjecting them to surveillance, internment, sexual abuse, and torture.

The host city, Beijing, China, has received a lot of criticism for its role in hosting the games, China continues to pursue genocidal policies against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, subjecting them to surveillance, internment, sexual abuse, and torture. There are crackdowns in Hong Kong, the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, and other issues. LGBTQ+ people are oppressed and discriminated against by the Chinese government, which still views gay and trans people as mental disorders. According to Rolling Stone, China has warned international athletes against using any "speech or behavior" that could be construed as political, warning that they "may face punishment."

This ambiguous statement raises concerns for LGBTQ+ athletes based on what is considered behavior or speech. Athletes may face punishment for public displays of affection with a same-gender partner, wearing a rainbow flag, or other displays of LGBTQ+ pride.

The Tokyo Olympics featured the most diverse athletes ever, with over 186 out lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and nonbinary athletes competing.In terms of LGBTQ+ visibility, this Olympics had set a new high. According to the Outsports website, there will be 182 LGBTQ athletes competing in Tokyo 2020, a new high compared to the 56 who competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

This has drawn attention to the host country, Japan, which activists argue is behind the times in comparison to the rest of the world because it has not experienced the same sweeping social change that has made same-sex marriage and greater inclusion a reality in many countries. Japan is the only G7 country that does not allow any form of same-gender marriage. Despite the fact that the ruling has no immediate legal effect, a district court in Sapporo ruled in March 2021 that Japan's refusal to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional under the Japanese Constitution.

Just months before the Sochi Winter Olympics, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the "gay propaganda law," claiming that "nontraditional sexual relations" were harmful to children, families, and society. Putin claimed that the legislation would protect "traditional values." He stated that the "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" It designated "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" as a civil offense rather than a criminal offense, punishable by fine rather then imprisonment The most heinous consequences, on the other hand, are subtle. It effectively denied a vulnerable minority full social participation while legitimizing their exclusion. Graeme Reid wrote in the Huffington Post, “Indeed, the passage of the law elicited more international outrage than other serious human rights violations committed during Olympic preparations, such as abuse of migrant workers, local residents, and protesters.” Regardless of the outrage, the reality for LGBT Russians is the same. There's been an increase in discrimination and anti-gay violence that has followed since the Sochi Olympics, and while the international media's focus has shifted, Putin's "traditional values" continue to cause irreparable harm. The new Russian legislation is noteworthy in part because it emphasizes the differences in attitudes towards homosexuality between Russia and Western countries. Russian public attitudes toward homosexuality are hardening, while Western attitudes are rapidly shifting the other way. Attitudes toward sexuality have changed in western culture compared to others. While a sizable proportion of Western voters continue to oppose same-sex marriage, polling data and election results in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe show that public opinion is rapidly shifting toward greater tolerance.

The Olympics games were the most prestigious event in ancient Greece. Every four years, spectators from all over the world descended on Olympia for an event that was equal parts religious ceremony and pure voyeuristic spectacle. The games focused on the celebration of the body, as it was thought to be a manifestation of the Gods perfection

Aristocrats and commoners were gathered and stripped naked for a rigorous workout regimen. The first 13 Olympiads consisted of one athletic event; footrace. More events were added later and according to the Olympics official site, “The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration, and equestrian events.

Although many historians are hesitant to call the ancient Games gay in the modern sense of sexual orientation and identity, they all agree that the athletic competition reflected the attitudes of the time. Between aristocratic men and prepubescent boys, there was a lot of pederasty in Greek culture. This was seen as more than a sex act; it was seen as a mentorship involving an exchange of knowledge as well as sexual desire, and it frequently ended when the young men reached adulthood when they would marry and start families.

5 Things to Say if Someone Asks if You Are Gay

A lot of LGBT teens get asked if they are gay.  Sometimes this can be a relief if you have been waiting for an opportunity to come out.  

But it can also be nerve wracking or startling if you are taken off guard, or asked in front of people or by someone you don’t want to come out to.

If you are queer, you might not want to flat out deny it, but you might not want to get into the details of your personal life either.

Here are 5 good ways to answer the “Are you gay?” question.

1) Use humor

You might want to think of a good quip that you can break out if you are asked about your sexual orientation.

It might take a little panache to pull these off but here are a few lines you can try:  "Gay? Yes, I am feeling quite happy today!“  "Am I gay? Maybe you should ask my girlfriend?”  "Why? Are you asking me out?“

2) Throw the question back at the asker

Now this might not work if it is say, your mom or your cousin who you know is hetero. But in some situations, you could turn the question around.

“Funny you should ask! I was wondering the same thing about you.”

Who knows, you might actually find out that the person asking the question is also queer!

3) Keep them guessing

Just because someone asks you a question, doesn’t mean you have to answer it. You could try saying something like, “Wouldn’t you like to know!” Or, “What would you say if I was?”

4) Redirection

Another way to reposed to the “Are you gay?” question is to ask “Why do you want to know?”  If the person says, “I was just curious,” or "I was just wondering,“  you can say, "You know what I was wondering? Where you got those pants?”  

If they say, “I don’t know, you just seem kind of gay,” you can respond, “You know, you seem kind of nosey, let’s go get something to eat.”

5) Be honest

Yep, I am.  

Telling someone you are gay is a pretty big decision. Here are some reasons you might decide to just go for it:

The movie that I wanted to share with the discussion board is, “To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar” I remember watching this when I was younger and found it to be very interesting since it was a 90s movie about drag queens. The film is definitely not perfect, there are gaps in the story and the plot is somewhat predictable. The movie feels like Hollywood's attempt to bring the queer culture to mainstream media but can come off as a bit stereotypical. It’s a feel-good type of movie and it’s fascinating to see the growth in LQBTQ+ movies/shows from this to newer representations like Euphoria or Moonlight. 

To Wong Foo follows three gay male drag performers from New York to Los Angeles as they prepare to compete in the "Drag Queen of America" competition. The three main characters and their interactions with one another and with the world around them are the focus of this story. And, while there is slight sexual tension and light romance in the story, no sexual relationships exist between the three friends or between them and the townspeople. They are far more concerned with assisting one another and serving as role models.

The first thing I could think of when asked about rural people/communities were Amish people. More specifically the ones on the TLC show, “Return to Amish” I’ve never watched an actual episode but I have binged watched a bunch of the YouTube videos about the show. The concept of “country” or “the rural” is shaped by identifiers like race, gender, class, and sexualities through their cultural identities. In this context, culture refers to the beliefs, norms, behaviors, and values that a particular group of people considers acceptable. Cultural identity develops as you navigate your life and the social constructs that surround you. Separated from mainstream culture, the Amish preserve their culture and identity by keeping as much of their lives as possible away from the outside world. Their separation policy is based on scriptural rules that allow them to be distinct people who do not conform to the world's system.

Glee features a diverse cast of characters from various races, gender identities, sexualities, religions, disabilities, and mental illnesses. While the show's social awareness is admirable, its depictions of minorities frequently reinforce stereotypes. Tina Cohen-Chang and Mike Chang are both Asian Americans who have no family ties, but the writers couldn't come up with another Asian surname. Mike isn't always addressed by name; in Season 1, the students draw names from a hat to find duet partners, and Tina gets "other Asian." While the show acknowledges the existence of Asian stereotypes, it does nothing to dispel them and instead reinforces them by presenting them in a "humorous" manner. "Glee" is a repeat offender when it comes to having teachable moments but not going far enough. Glee often likes to make the identity of the character a joke. In one episode where Mike who is Asian says, “getting an A- is an Asian F” which places into the stereotypes of Asians getting being really smart and getting good grades which feed into the model minority myth.  

The show is a coming-of-age story about two best friends Amy and Molly. One of the show's main characters is from the LGBTQ+ community, the plot's central conflict is not based on their sexual or gender identity. Amy's homosexuality is depicted on screen in the most naturalistic way possible. Her parents and close friends are aware and supportive. Positive onscreen representation can be extremely beneficial when you're young and questioning your sexual identity.

 "Bury your Gays"

San Junipero is undoubtedly one of the few most inventive episodes of the Black Mirror episodes. Unlike previous episodes, which were primarily one-sided critiques of specific aspects of technology and society, 'San Junipero' addresses deeper, more thought-provoking questions about the meaning of life, life without meaning, love without loss, and joy without sadness. It ends on a more open-ended and upbeat note.

I remember when this show first came out in high school and everyone was talking about it. The high school that I went to had a large population of queer students. This was all the talk for the absolute longest time. The show was super diverse; using a range of POC actors, depicted a spectrum of LQBTQ+ individuals, and portrayed a variety of body shapes. The film started off seemingly regular with a white straight woman going to jail for fraud but the actual storyline of the show has nothing to do with a heterosexual relationship. In Orange Is the New Black, there are several bisexual and lesbian characters, as well as a few who are "curious" or simply seeking companionship in a lonely place.

Orange Is the New Black has been praised for its groundbreaking diversity on television. With a predominantly female cast, with Asian, African American, Latinos, and even a trans actress in major roles. The article analyzed the diverse characters of the show.  It made me think about the Bechdel Test. The Bechdel Test (according to Merriam Webster) is a set of criteria for evaluating a work of fiction based on the inclusion and representation of female characters. There are three rules to the test; (1) It has to have at least two [named] women in it, (2) Who talks to each other about (3) something besides a man. Women are heart to this show. Many multi-faceted inmates stand out. Women of various shapes, colors, sizes, ages, and backgrounds were featured. The show's female-centric storytelling, which depicts women as they see themselves and each other, often in unglamorous or even gritty moments, truly distinguishes it. The storyline enriches and improves the lives of all inmates. 

The TV show that I would like to share is Sex Education on Netflix. The show appears to be a typical high school drama, with a nerdy protagonist, a black gay best friend, an angsty outcast girl, a popular jock, and mean girls, but it expands these troupes into reality. The show's racial and sexual diversity is not forced or two-dimensional. It doesn't feel like a checklist; rather, it feels like everyday life. There are no obvious stereotypes in the show, and each of the characters represents a unique set of complex issues. The main plot remains focused on a heterosexual relationship, but the supporting characters don’t serve only as props. Representation that truly distinguishes Sex Education apart from other shows. Sex Education, by essentially normalizing diversity, challenges the representation of minorities in films. It has interesting, one-of-a-kind plots. For a marginalized group of people seeing representation in films makes them feel more accepted when they are no longer left out of the script. More importantly, it implies that, on a broader scale, diversity in film can help to reduce discrimination by deconstructing toxic stereotypes.

The article, “ Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens: The Radical Potential of Queer Politics?” examines the heteronormative ideals and constructs of LGBTQ+ culture and identity of queer agendas in their efforts to integrate into dominant structures through queer theory and queer politics. The article discussed queer politics and how there was a radical push against dominant institutions. Cohen wrote in the article, “Being queer is not about a right to privacy; it is about the freedom to be public, to just be who we are. It means everyday fighting oppression; homophobia, racism, misogyny, the bigotry of religious hypocrites and our own self-hatred." Throughout history, the term queer has been used to depict queer people in a negative light. The term queer is now reclaimed as a word to describe a person's sexual orientations and gender identities that is something other than heterosexual. Some people may choose to refer to themselves as "queer" because their sexuality or identity is too complex to fit into existing labels. Technically, all LGBTQ+ members have the option of identifying as queer, but not all do. Learning about the term queer will allow us to gain a better understanding of the queer community and the historical challenges that they faced. This generation has reclaimed the term "queer, by using compassionate and considerate language, we continue to do our best to be inclusive of everyone. The reclaiming of the word, allows us to communicate more effectively with our peers who identify as queer, and as a result of this new understanding, it fosters a sense of support and inclusion.

Jennie Livingston's 1990 film Paris is Burning examines the reality of New York's ballroom scene's queer community. The film takes its title from one of the most well-known drag balls. Furthermore, the film is significant to my research because it shows visible links between gender performativity, voguing, and club culture: participants in balls are encouraged to embody their own fantasy by choosing from a variety of different categories.

Her Story introduces a group of complex women who recognize the complexity of their situations and support one another. It starts with a lesbian writer attempting to interview a trans waitress. The web series is an in-depth look at what the queer community is going through gives hope to a community of trans women who are under a lot of stress and hardships. 

We watched the videos Paris is Burning, Pose, and Her Story this week. Transphobia was featured in all of the films, both from the queer and cis/straight communities. It seems as though when marginalized groups gain attention and in some way become popularized, they frequently will turn and attack one other, as their new status is being threatened. A majority of it is caused by envy. Transgender rights is now a big debated social issue, which is often discussed upon. I have noticed that there is a lot of internalized hate among members of the same community. In a society that boosted a discriminatory culture, history taught the negative ideals of homosexuality. These teachings can result in feelings of disgust and hatred for oneself. Then these feelings can take the form of internalized homophobia or internalized oppression.

This intervention is made within a particularly "queer time"­ past and present, futures yearned for and denied-and "queer place" -the club, the black queer page, stage, and canvas of everyday life. Beyond encouraging an orientation toward black queer studies that is at once about material effects and resonant effect, I also hope to sketch some ways we might rethink recent debates on the child, relationality, and futurity in queer studies, which have proceeded without the voices of "the children."

Younger kids in this generation face bullying, discrimination, rejection, and other external stressors. This anticipatory stress becomes a more consistent and long-lasting form of minority stress. We can internalize something and anticipate negative comments if we hear it enough times. Many other studies have found that minority stress has a negative impact on mental health in a similar way. The article is about a black queer dance group and I believe that this group was a place of comfort for any of the young queer kids. Belonging to a community, whether it's just a few people you can confide in, or a support group can help prevent feelings of isolation.