Canadian footballer Quinn has made history by being the first openly transgender person set to get an Olympic medal. Following their win against the US national team, the Canadian team will win at least a silver in football. This, however, won't be Quinn’s first Olympic medal—Quinn won their first Olympic medal—a bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In 2020, they came out as a transgender, a non-binary person. Quinn is part of the Canadian women’s football team.
"Coming out is HARD. I know for me it’s something I’ll be doing over again for the rest of my life.”
"As I’ve lived as an openly trans person with the people I love most for many years, I did always wonder when I’d come out publicly,” Quinn wrote when they came out via an Instagram post and offered advice to cis people to become better trans allies.
“ I want to be visible to queer folks who don’t see people like them on their feed. I know it saved my life years ago. I want to challenge cis folks ( if you don’t know what cis means, that’s probably you!!!) to be better allies,” Quinn had written.
Quinn already made Olympics history as the first openly trans athlete to compete in the Tokyo 2020 games, when they took the field for the opening women’s football match on 21 July.
Other trans athletes competing in the games are New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard and the American skateboarder Alana Smith. The Canadian football team will face Sweden on Friday.
On July 22, Quinn, on Instagram, wrote about their feelings about being able to be a part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “First openly trans Olympian to compete. I don’t know how to feel. I feel proud seeing “Quinn” upon the lineup and on my accreditation. I feel sad knowing there were Olympians before me unable to live their truth because of the world. I feel optimistic for change. Change in the legislature. Changes in rules, structures, and mindsets. Mostly, I feel aware of the realities. Trans girls being banned from sports. Trans women facing discrimination and bias while trying to pursue their Olympic dreams. The fight isn’t close to over… and I’ll celebrate when we’re all here,” wrote Quinn, who, though born female, identifies as a trans non-binary person.
