(from Forbes Business online August 05, 2021)
“There Are More Openly LGBTQ+ Olympians At Tokyo 2020 Than All Other Games Combined…
BIG NUMBER: 182. That’s at least how many openly LGBTQ+ athletes there are competing at the Tokyo 2020 Games, according to Outsports. In Rio, there were 56. In London, 23.”
Openly gay Raven Saunders of Charleston, South Carolina celebrates after winning Silver Medal in shot put competition. (Reuters, Dylan Martinez photo)
This afternoon Raven returns home to Charleston but will not be greeted by her number one fan and sacrificing supporter, her mother, who died on August 03rd. in Orlando, Florida where she and Raven’s younger sister Tanzania were attending a watch party for Athletes of Team USA. For Raven the loss of her mother is one that causes her “heart and soul to cry out” as she posted on social media earlier this week. Any daughter, LGBTQ+ or straight, can understand the pain we feel when the woman who gave us life is no longer with us. Pretty and I send prayers for comfort to the family of Clarissa Saunders during these difficult days.
Our family also extends our gratitude to Raven Saunders and the remainder of the out LGBTQ+ athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics. Whether you won a medal in your sport or didn’t, you are all winners to us every time you have the courage to proudly proclaim who you are in your own back yard or on an international Olympic stage.
Onward.
***********************
Stay safe, stay sane, get vaccinated and please stay tuned.
I'll Call It Like I See It 
Signs of change that is for sure. And cheers for Raven Saunders. I think the jury is still out on aspects of mtf transgender participation. The IOC has some more thinking to do. The struggle for fair competition and equal opportunity is complicated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. The struggle is complicated, but we can now at least dream of the time when these issues are irrelevant. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Wow, that’s fabulous re the number!!! My sympathies to Raven. Do you know what happened with her mom? One minute there’s a pic of her and a day later or something they say she died. REALLY tragic. The two events will always be linked together for Raven.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m not sure what happened to her mother, but I’m like you about her silver medal “will always be linked together.” It is a real tragedy. Younger sister to care for now. She’ll grow up in a hurry. Sadly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really sad. At least she has an amazing medal to spur her on!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person