A New Era for LGBTQ+ Visibility at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have become a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in sports, with nearly 50 openly queer athletes competing—a significant increase from previous Games. This surge in visibility comes at a time of both celebration and tension, as athletes navigate newfound acceptance while facing persistent discrimination.

The Cost of Speaking Out

American figure skater Amber Glenn’s experience encapsulates this duality. At the Games’ outset, Glenn used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, telling reporters, “It isn’t the first time we’ve had to come together as a community. I hope that I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try to encourage people to stay strong.”

The response was swift and brutal. Glenn revealed on Instagram that she had received “a scary amount of hate/threats” following her comments, telling NPR she had “never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking out about being decent.”

Despite the backlash, Glenn went on to win gold as part of the US figure skating team, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Her story highlights the ongoing challenges queer athletes face even as representation improves.

A Record Number of Out Athletes

The 50-plus out LGBTQ+ athletes competing in Milano Cortina represent a dramatic shift from past Olympics, where each openly queer competitor made international headlines. While this number represents only about 1.7% of the approximately 2,900 total competitors, it marks meaningful progress in sports inclusivity.

This increased visibility coincides with heated debates over transgender participation in sports. The landscape shifted dramatically after President Trump signed an executive order in 2025 banning transgender athletes from women’s sports, followed by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee implementing similar restrictions. USA Hockey recently reversed its 2019 policy allowing trans athletes to compete, even in recreational leagues.

International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams emphasized this conservative shift, stating, “Protecting women’s categories is one of the key reforms that we will pursue.”

Historical Firsts and Shifting Attitudes

Swedish skier Elis Lundholm made history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. Assigned female at birth and identifying as male, Lundholm told reporters he’s focused on his sport rather than the historic significance of his participation.

British skier Tess Johnson expressed support, telling the Associated Press, “I mean, we’re here to ski, we’re here to have fun, and that’s exactly what we do.”

The Games have also benefited from unexpected cultural momentum. The wildly popular Canadian show Heated Rivalry, about two closeted hockey players, has brought new fans to winter sports and increased interest in LGBTQ+ athletes. HBO Max released the show in Italy during the Games, creating a perfect cultural convergence.

Creating Safe Spaces

In Milan, queer athletes and fans have found sanctuary at Pride House, located at the MEET Digital Culture Center. Established at the 2010 Vancouver Games, Pride House serves as a meeting space, viewing area, and community hub for LGBTQ+ individuals from around the world.

Alice Redaelli, president of CIG Arcigay Milano, which helped organize Pride House, explains its significance: “Pride House was born as a safe place especially for athletes who come from countries where it is not easy to be out. Sports is one of the worlds in which we still struggle to emerge as LGBTQIA+ people, where concepts such as gender and machismo dominate.”

The presence of Pride House in Milan represents progress, though its absence in past Games—such as Sochi 2014, where Russian laws prohibited its organization—demonstrates how local politics continue to impact queer visibility in sports.

The Road Ahead

As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, they stand as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still needed to ensure true equality in sports. The increasing number of out athletes, the creation of safe spaces like Pride House, and moments of historical significance all point toward a more inclusive future—even as discrimination and restrictive policies persist.

For athletes like Amber Glenn, who continue to speak out despite facing threats, the Games represent an opportunity to push boundaries and create change. As Glenn’s gold medal performance demonstrates, excellence and advocacy can coexist, paving the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ athletes to compete openly and authentically.

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