Gay At The Games: Meet The Out Paralympians

Just throwing another bouquet in Queerty’s direction.

Other gay sites only seem to cover gay sportsmen if they’re hunky and fit a stereotype. Only Queerty holds true to the idea that if a gay man or woman is exemplary, they should be celebrated.

I admire Lee Pearson tremendously. He’s been very openly and very obviously gay for a long time now. He tends to the ‘queeny’ end of the gay spectrum and can be incredibly funny and witty – it’s impossible to not know he’s gay because he regularly mentions it in interviews and unapologetically enjoys his sexuality.

However, despite the camp exterior he displays the steely determination to be the best in the world – and then backs up that determination by winning. Again and again and again. And he’s not just a champion in the world of disabilities, he’s also dominated able-bodied competitions he’s been in.

Also, he’s never regarded his sexuality as a bar to sponsorship. He has top-brand backers and the fact that he is so openly gay has never stopped any company from lining up to have their name associated with him.

I know that dressage isn’t considered a sport by some people, but – with only five per cent of the leg muscles of an able-bodied competitor – Pearson has to control a half-ton animal using the few muscles he has in addition to minutely moving his weight and spine.

It’s a phenomenal achievement – and even if Pearson doesn’t look like Matthew Mitcham or Michael Phelps, his muscles are just as world-beating.

I know that the gay world is all about Mitcham at the moment – and I admire him tremendously, too. However, if I were to choose a gay sporting hero, I’d take Pearson every day of the week. He’s a consistent winner who makes no apologies for his physicality or sexuality, instead demanding respect for himself and his achievements.

Enough gushing on my part. Thank you for giving Paralympians the same importance as Olympians.

Aug 23, 2012 at 4:13 pm · @Reply ·