fair_n_hite and bcb have each corrected me on my statement that Nikki Hiltz was the first out non-binary Olympic athlete. While they are the first to represent the USA, Canada's Quinn played with their national soccer team in Tokyo in 2021, winning gold. (Canada tied with Sweden during regular time, but won the penalty shootout.) So Quinn was the first non-binary athlete and medalist and gold medalist. Quite a nice trifecta for them.
There were several not-so-closeted track stars in the 1968 Olympics, but at that time it would still have been ruinous to be "known" so they went back underground.
Cindy Ngamba's story is inspiring, all right. On several levels.
One thing it inspires in me is rage. "May I present the Prime Minister* to congratulate you on your achievement. Now get out of the country." That's what happens when you let the bigots run things. (Hey, how's Brexit working out for you again?)
Hope, change, and let's add joy seems to be the zeitgeist and about fucking time. These games were beautiful not least because the athletes, mostly, just decided to call out the bullshit.
"Valentina Petrillo is set to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympic Games, having been selected to represent Italy in Para-athletics in Paris."
Ta, Crip Dyke. I didn't watch any of the games. I did watch video of gymnastics, which was my sport until my ballet teacher told me I had to choose. Friday was Staff Appreciation Day for my shitty network, and we were asked to wear jerseys or other gear for our favorite sports team. I loathe most team sports, and own no such gear. I trolled them by wearing yoga pants and a lace button down shirt over a sports bra, set off by a "gold" medal I won in a team trivia contest, along with platform sneakers (Converse knock-offs). I was a gymnast representing Team USA. I had mentioned the outfit I was going to wear to my (now former) therapist, and she showed up in a Team USA jersey.
Go, LGBTQIA+ athletes! You make us all proud to be allies.
Thanks for this Crip Dyke. I really needed a nice times story. It breaks my heart to see the Refugee team or the not citizen of anywhere team or whatever they are called.
Officially it's the "Equipe Olympique Refugee," abbreviated EOR. While she was fighting for the Gold, Ngamba wore those letters on her hand/wrist tape under her gloves.
fair_n_hite and bcb have each corrected me on my statement that Nikki Hiltz was the first out non-binary Olympic athlete. While they are the first to represent the USA, Canada's Quinn played with their national soccer team in Tokyo in 2021, winning gold. (Canada tied with Sweden during regular time, but won the penalty shootout.) So Quinn was the first non-binary athlete and medalist and gold medalist. Quite a nice trifecta for them.
I loved this article, Crip Dyke! 10/10. If only the MSM had bothered to report on the games as you just did!
And Joanne K. Rowling has revealed her true self: a Death Eater.
I'm not crying, you're crying
A truly wonderful story, wonderfully told.
May Ngamba’s feat shine forever to light the way for the outcast and forsaken. Many thanks, CD!
There were several not-so-closeted track stars in the 1968 Olympics, but at that time it would still have been ruinous to be "known" so they went back underground.
Cindy Ngamba's story is inspiring, all right. On several levels.
One thing it inspires in me is rage. "May I present the Prime Minister* to congratulate you on your achievement. Now get out of the country." That's what happens when you let the bigots run things. (Hey, how's Brexit working out for you again?)
*Although TBF, May was PM for like ten minutes
Geez. Simply reading that last paragraph made me tear up.
More Joy? YES!!!!!!!!
Hope, change, and let's add joy seems to be the zeitgeist and about fucking time. These games were beautiful not least because the athletes, mostly, just decided to call out the bullshit.
So say we all.
"Valentina Petrillo is set to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympic Games, having been selected to represent Italy in Para-athletics in Paris."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cpvymmpyjeko
She is a T12 200m and 400m runner.
"T12 is for runners with a visual impairment.
Their vision is constricted to a radius of less than five degrees and/or the ability to recognise a moving object at a distance of one metre."
No, it's not the onions.
I really AM tearing up at how great some people can be!!!!!
Ta, Crip Dyke. I didn't watch any of the games. I did watch video of gymnastics, which was my sport until my ballet teacher told me I had to choose. Friday was Staff Appreciation Day for my shitty network, and we were asked to wear jerseys or other gear for our favorite sports team. I loathe most team sports, and own no such gear. I trolled them by wearing yoga pants and a lace button down shirt over a sports bra, set off by a "gold" medal I won in a team trivia contest, along with platform sneakers (Converse knock-offs). I was a gymnast representing Team USA. I had mentioned the outfit I was going to wear to my (now former) therapist, and she showed up in a Team USA jersey.
Go, LGBTQIA+ athletes! You make us all proud to be allies.
you queers and refugees, you rejecteds and unwanteds
I seem to remember words like this, in a poem somewhere. I want to say, engraved on the base of some statue somewhere.
Also reminds me of "Good night you Princes of Maine, you Kings of New England" from the novel "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving.
Thanks for this Crip Dyke. I really needed a nice times story. It breaks my heart to see the Refugee team or the not citizen of anywhere team or whatever they are called.
Officially it's the "Equipe Olympique Refugee," abbreviated EOR. While she was fighting for the Gold, Ngamba wore those letters on her hand/wrist tape under her gloves.
God I hate crying on a Monday lunch break. Except I love it as much as I love every single damn one of our queers and refugees.
God I hate crying on a Monday lunch break. Except I love it as much as I love every single damn one of our queers and refugees.
this made me think of the Homeless World Cup. Michael Sheen is a major part of promoting it.
https://www.homelessworldcup.org/
Is it even possible to be cooler then Michael Sheen?
David Bowie, maybe, but it's close~~