Quinn Will Be the First Out Trans Olympian to Win a Medal

After being a part of Canada's semifinal win against the US women's national team today, Quinn is set to be the first out trans athlete to win a medal at the Olympic Games.

With the win, the Canadian soccer team, and Quinn, are guaranteed either a silver medal or a gold. Quinn had previously won a bronze medal with the team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but that was before they came out.

Canada will face team Sweden in the gold medal match on Thursday, August 5th. The same day, the US women's team will play Australia for the bronze medal.

Quinn came out in September of 2020, in a post on Instagram. "Coming out is HARD (and kinda bs)," they wrote, "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."

They made history this year when they became the first out trans athlete to compete in the Olympic games, when they played in a 1-1 tie against Japan. The soccer star said they had mixed feelings about being the "first," especially while trans girls and women are being banned from sports and facing huge amounts of hate for wanting to participate.

"I feel proud seeing 'Quinn' up on the lineup and on my accreditation. I feel sad knowing there were Olympians before me unable to live their truth because of the world," they said, "I feel optimistic for change. Change in legislature. Changes in rules, structures and mindsets."

Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, became the first out trans woman to compete in the games this week. Hubbard attempted one snatch lift of 120kg and two of 125kg, all of which failed. After her attempts she waved to the crowd and bowed before she walked off stage, showing the true Olympic spirit.

Chinese world-record-holder Li Wenwen won the gold and set even more records after lifting 140kg in the snatch, and 180kg in the clean and jerk.

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