23 LGBTQ Olympians Who Broke Both Barriers And Records To Become Queens Of The Podium

Women face all kinds of challenges in this day and age, and even more so in the sporting world. Add on top of that being a part of the LGBTQIA community and you have a whole other set of pressures and stigmas attached to you and your (hopeful) success. When we were growing up, we didn't have any LGBTQ role models to look up to on TV or in sports. But times are changing for the better, so we're hoping that this list of outstanding Olympians will help inspire someone else to not be afraid to break some barriers, set some records, and become a new queen of the podium.

What's amazing is that this list is only from the Tokyo Olympics, meaning that there are many more LGBTQ female athletes that deserve to be here, but we'll leave it up to you to celebrate them on your own. Scroll down for some woman power and girls crushing it against all odds. They are truly inspiring!

Author image for Blake Seidel Blake Seidel
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  • 01

    Ally Carda - Team USA

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    via GETTY USA

    Silver medalist, softball

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  • 02

    Amanda Chidester - Team USA

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    via GETTY USA

    Silver medalist, softball

  • 03

    Amandine Buchard - Team France

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    via Donald Padgett

    Amandine Buchard took home the silver medal in judo for Team France.

  • 04

    Hayley McCleney - Team USA

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    via Donald Padgett

    Hayley McCleney and Team USA won the silver medal in softball.

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  • 05

    Joey Lye - Team Canada

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    via DYSVE

    Joey Lye and Team Canada beat out Mexico to take home the bronze for softball.

  • 06

    Larissa Franklin - Team Canada

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    via Cand TO LFHANKLINIS

    Larissa Franklin and Team Canada took home bronze for softball.

     

  • 07

    Erica Sullivan - Team USA

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    via BO BOLIV GETTY

    Erica Sullivan took home the silver medal for Team USA in the first-ever Women's 1500m event at the Olympics

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  • 08

    Katarzyna Zillmann - Team Poland

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    via PASA

    Rower Katarzyna Zillmann won silver for Team Poland in the Women's team quadruple scull rowing event

  • 09

    Stefanie Dolson - Team USA

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    via Getty

    Stefanie Dolson brought home the gold medal for Team USA in the Women's 3-on-3 basketball event.

  • 10

    Emma Twigg - Team New Zealand

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    via Getty Images

    Emma Twigg won her first gold medal for Team New Zealand in the women's single sculls rowing event

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  • 11

    Raven Saunders - Team USA

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    via GIVEMEISHOT

    Raven Saunders took home the silver for Team USA in the women's shot put.

     

  • 12

    Lucilla Boari - Team Italy

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    via LUCTIFA ROAR

    Lucilla Boari won the women's individual event archery for Team Italy.

     

  • 13

    Yulimar Rojas - Team Venezuela

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    via YULIMARROJAS45

    Yulimar Rojas of Team Venezuela won the gold and set a world record for the women's triple jump.

     

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  • 14

    Hannah Roberts - Team USA

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    via GETTY

    Hannah Roberts took home silver for Team USA in the BMX freestyle event.

     

  • 15

    Astrid Guyart - Team France

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    via AGUYART

    Astrid Guyart of Team France won silver in women's team foil fencing.

     

  • 16

    Raz Hershko - Team USA

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    via GETTY

    Team Israel's Raz Hershko took home the bronze medal for women's mixed team judo.

     

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  • 17

    Jasmin Grabowski - Team Germany

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    via GETTY

    Jasmin Grabowski and Team Germany took home the bronze medal for women's mixed team judo.

     

  • 18

    Nesty Petecio – Team Philippines

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    via DAN MULLAN GETTYSanne van Dijke - Team Netherlands

    Nesty Petecio took home the silver medal in Team Philippines in the women's featherweight boxing event.

     

  • 19

    Sanne van Dijke - Team Netherlands

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    via SANNEVANDIJK

    Sanne van Dijke of Team Netherlands took home the bronze medal for judo.

     

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  • 20

    Ana Marcela Cunha – Team Brazil

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    via @ anamarcela92

    Ana Marcela Cunha took home gold for Team Brazil in the women's 10km swimming event.


     

  • 21

    Jolanta Ogar - Team Poland

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    via Huang Zongzhi Xinhua via Getty Images

    Jolanta Ogar (right) celebrates with Agnieszka Skrzypulec on their silver medal victory in the women's two-person dingy sailing event.


     

  • 22

    Kellie Harrington – Team Ireland

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    Kellie Harrington of Team Ireland took home the gold for women's lightweight boxing.


     

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  • 23

    Alexandra Lacrabère, Amandine Leynaud – Team France

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    via Getty, Leynaud photo by @alexandralacrabere64

    Alexandra Lacrabere (left/Getty Images) and Amandine Leynaud (right) took home the gold for Team France in the women's team handball event.


     

Like what you see? Find more hilarious women's memes and crazy stories on our Instagram @Cheezcake_Humor and more videos on our TikTok @cheezcaked 


 

Tags

lgbtq queen sports woman history herstory lesbian record athlete female athlete gay queer female podium world record women barriers olympian olympics
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