As the torch burns bright in Italy, the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have already secured a place in history for one reason: visibility. A staggering 47 publicly out LGBTQ+ athletes are competing this month, making this the most inclusive Winter Games ever recorded.
Gold Medals and Shattered Barriers
The headlines have been dominated by Amber Glenn, the pansexual figure skater from Team USA, who captured a historic gold in the Team Event. Glenn’s victory is particularly poignant given the current political climate in the U.S.; in a press conference, she spoke candidly about the “hard times” the community is facing, making her gold medal a symbol of resilience.
But Glenn isn’t alone. Bisexual freestyle skier Breezy Johnson overcame a career-threatening injury to win gold in the women’s downhill, while Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud continued her dominance on the slopes with another gold in slopestyle. Perhaps most importantly, the Games saw the debut of Elis Lundholm, the first out trans man to compete in the Winter Olympics. His performance in moguls has provided a powerful rebuttal to those seeking to ban trans participation in sports.
More Than Just a Game
The presence of “Pride House” in Milano, an institutional partner of ILGA World, provides a safe haven for queer athletes and fans alike. While Italy itself faces internal debates over same-sex parenting and queer rights, the Games are serving as a massive platform for education.
“Sport is too important to leave anyone on the sidelines,” an ILGA World representative stated. As we track the “Rainbow Medal Tally” at gay-chat.org, we see that out athletes are not just participating—they are setting the standard for excellence. These 47 athletes are proving that you don’t have to hide who you are to reach the top of the podium.