Come out and compete.

Come out and play is one of the messages coming out of this years Olympics. With the first full week of the 2020 Summer Olympics in the books, a record number of out LGBTQ athletes taking to fields, courts and tracks in Tokyo. And the number keeps growing.

With many of us following other grim numbers around the world in another surge of the pandemic, we are also watching the number of out athletes in the Olympics go up as more come out during the games. 178 with room for more to join this week. With all those out athletes, we are also not counting the queer medals with a chance of that number increasing as well.

Come out and win

Our friends at Outsports are tracking “Team LGBTQ” and clearly we are in Tokyo, we’re queer, and we’re medaling. Out athletes have already won 3 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze, placing the queer nation places 11th in the medal count just ahead of Canada.

First-Ever Gold

In an Olympic first, the U.S. Women’s 3×3 Basketball team brought home the first-ever gold medal. The more pickup-style version of the sport made its debut as an Olympic event this year, and Team USA became its first champion with an 18-15 win over Russia. Out center Stefanie Dolson, who plays for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, led scorers in the gold medal game and reveled in the moment. “It’s special to be the first of anything but basketball runs deep in USA blood, so this is very special,” Dolson said.

Come Out Fighting

Other out LGBTQ medalists used their moment of sports glory to come out and add to calls for international LGBTQ equality. Polish rower Katarzyna Zillman grabbed the mic and came out publicly by thanking her girlfriend after capturing a silver medal in the quadruple sculls. She said afterward that she “felt the need” to come out to lend her voice against growing homophobic attitudes in her home country.

Italian archer Lucilla Boari came out publicly shortly after capturing Italy’s first individual archery medal when her girlfriend, Dutch archer Sanne de Laat, congratulated her via videoconference during a live Italian media broadcast. Boari acknowledged their relationship after de Laat fawned over the bronze medalist’s accomplishment. “I’m super proud of you. I can’t wait until you’re here so I can give you the biggest hug there is. I love you,” de Laat said.

Come Out All American

American swimmer Erica Sullivan also used the post-medal glow to speak to queer identities and their cultural intersections. “I’m multicultural. I’m queer. I’m a lot of minorities. That’s what America is,” said the 1,500-meter freestyle silver medalist. “That’s what America is. To me, America is not about being a majority. It’s about having your own start. The American Dream is coming to a country to establish what you want to do with your life.”

Other notable LGBTQ medalists were New Zealand rower Emma Twigg, who finally captured her first Olympic gold in single sculls at her fourth Olympic games, and Dutch judoka Sanne van Dijke, bronze medalist in the 70kg category of Judo.

Coming Up

Looking to the next week, memorable and historic moments lie on the horizon. Most notable among them is the Olympic debut of New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, the first trans woman to compete on the Olympic stage. Hubbard has remained incredibly private in the leadup to her debut on Monday as her participation remains a hot topic among supporters and detractors alike.

Hubbard broke her silence for the first time in a written statement to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “The Olympic Games are a global celebration of our hopes, our ideals and our values. I commend the IOC for its commitment to making sport inclusive and accessible,” read Hubbard’s statement. New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) officials offered further support to Hubbard, helping to stave off the wave of transphobic online comments from reaching her as she prepares to compete.

“Our view is that we’ve got a culture of manaaki (inclusion) and it’s our role to support all eligible athletes on our team,” NZOC spokesperson Ashley Abbott told AFP. “In terms of social media, we won’t be engaging in any kind of negative debate.”

Other notable events on the docket include Monday’s Women’s Soccer semifinals, where all four teams (USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden) feature LGBTQ athletes, including Canada’s Quinn, the first trans nonbinary athlete ever to compete at the Olympics.

Saturday will see Team USA’s Hannah Roberts and Perris Benegas attempt to bring home medals in Women’s BMX Freestyle. Out boxer Nesthy Petecio will attempt to capture the Philippines’ first Olympic boxing gold medal when she steps into the ring on Tuesday. U.S. freestyle wrestler Kayla Miracle will make history on Tuesday when she becomes the first out LGBTQ athlete to compete in Olympic wrestling. Team USA Women’s Basketball also continues its gold medal push.

Come Out, Olympics, Gay Athletes: Previously on Towleroad

Queer Nation With 11 Medals Ranks 11th in Olympics, Ahead of Canada. More Athletes Come Out, Lifting Record Number of Out Athletes

Brian Bell

July 31, 2021

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More LGBTQ Athletes Than Ever At Olympics (166+); Tom Daley Gold Medals; France Gets Judo Silver; Japan Takes Softball Gold, Team USA Gets Silver

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July 27, 2021

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Olympics vs. COVID Finals Down To Wire: Postponed a Year; Fans Banned Last Week, Tokyo State Of Emergency Today; Athletes Cancel

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July 12, 2021

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Tom Daley Will Consider Having Another Kid ‘after the Olympics’; Son Robbie, 2 years, is Clear On a Brother AND a Sister

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May 29, 2021

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As Japan Olympics Begin, Local Groups Say Anti-Trans, Anti-Gay Remarks ‘Less-than-Equality’ Bill Violate Games’ Charter

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May 25, 2021

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Covid-19 Spike Close to Overwhelming Hospitals; Tokyo Doctors ‘strongly request’ Officials Cancel Delayed Japan Olympics

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Photo courtesy of Team USA

“I’m not much interested in… physical stuff,” says Parvati. Ed’s face slowly widens into a grin as the realisation hits him. He points at the flag behind him. This is what asexual representation looks like. “When I figured out that [Parvati] was [ace], it was like getting a surprise birthday party for me,” says…

The policies are set to take effect at all 41 theaters and will remain in place through at least Oct. 31.

The policies are set to take effect at all 41 theaters and will remain in place through at least Oct. 31.

Pride flags have been torn down and vandalised in a “disgusting” act of hate in a small town in the west of Ireland. The flags were put up in Claremorris, Mayo, on Sunday (25 July) to show support for the local LGBT+ community – but they were torn down and the flag poles broken that … Continued

Today was Meghan McCain‘s last day on The View… Or so everyone thought.

On July 1, McCain announced that she was leaving the show at the end of the month, leading many to believe her final day would be July 30 which, according to our calendar, is TODAY!!

Here’s how people have been celebrating on Twitter…

@MeghanMcCain last day!! pic.twitter.com/jZDzlEHm8V

— Chumpwear (@Chumpwear) July 30, 2021

But, as it turns out, today was not McCain’s last day after all. She misled us… which is actually right on brand for TV’s reigning conservative supervillian.

The View just confirmed that McCain will actually be sticking around until August 6, which is the season 24 finale. That means viewers have one more week of John McCain’s daughter to endure.

Now, here’s how people are responding to that…

Sorry to ruin your Friday, but @MeghanMcCain’s last day is August 6. Hoping it was today, but not so.

— Mo (@lovinggolf) July 30, 2021

Nutmeg the liar said 7/30 last day and now going one more week

— SassyLady1961 (@SLady1961) July 30, 2021

Earlier this week, McCain announced that she’ll be turning her attention away from spreading rightwing propaganda political punditry and will instead focus on producing “legendary” made-for-TV movies.

Her first project will be a Lifetime original movie starring Heather Locklear tentatively titled Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story inspired by the best-selling 1997 self-help book by the late motivational speaker Dr. Richard Carlson.

Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.

Today was Meghan McCain‘s last day on The View… Or so everyone thought.

On July 1, McCain announced that she was leaving the show at the end of the month, leading many to believe her final day would be July 30 which, according to our calendar, is TODAY!!

Here’s how people have been celebrating on Twitter…

@MeghanMcCain last day!! pic.twitter.com/jZDzlEHm8V

— Chumpwear (@Chumpwear) July 30, 2021

But, as it turns out, today was not McCain’s last day after all. She misled us… which is actually right on brand for TV’s reigning conservative supervillian.

The View just confirmed that McCain will actually be sticking around until August 6, which is the season 24 finale. That means viewers have one more week of John McCain’s daughter to endure.

Now, here’s how people are responding to that…

Sorry to ruin your Friday, but @MeghanMcCain’s last day is August 6. Hoping it was today, but not so.

— Mo (@lovinggolf) July 30, 2021

Nutmeg the liar said 7/30 last day and now going one more week

— SassyLady1961 (@SLady1961) July 30, 2021

Earlier this week, McCain announced that she’ll be turning her attention away from spreading rightwing propaganda political punditry and will instead focus on producing “legendary” made-for-TV movies.

Her first project will be a Lifetime original movie starring Heather Locklear tentatively titled Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story inspired by the best-selling 1997 self-help book by the late motivational speaker Dr. Richard Carlson.

Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.

It was beginning to feel like this week’s RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars was a second straight week of weak challenges, unremarkable performances and the ongoing torment of Jan. However, the final act dropped a delicious little twist for just the right amount of drama.

In a bit of Chekhov’s lipstick, the editors expertly included a brief scene a few weeks back when the queens wondered aloud what would happen if there was a tie vote?

This week gave us the (sort of disappointing) answer, but it was still a much-needed jolt of excitement on an episode that was otherwise sorely lacking.

Let’s go back to the start. A quick count of the lipsticks reveals a unanimous decision to eliminate A’Keriah, and it gives Ra’Jah a bit of reassurances the other girls still think she belongs. She feels even better when Jan (of course, it’s Jan) points out that everyone but Pandora and Eureka have won a challenge.

Pandora’s journey is front and center this episode. After a solid start to the Race, the time has passed for Pandie to make an impression. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be an easy week for her.

Ru’s task this week is to split into two groups to perform original choreography and a rap verse to “Show Up Queen,” the sonic equivalent of a crumpled up napkin Beyoncé left at an actual Sonic drive-thru.

It’s an almost comically unlistenable … song? … but what’s worse is that it comes with the directive to infuse the song with “inspirational” lyrics.

The writing, recording and rehearsal process is snooze-worthy. Pandora predictably struggles with choreo, but Jan struggles with the content of her lyrics — a much bigger sin in Mama Ru’s eyes.

I guess it bears a bit more elucidation on The Jan Problem, since her ongoing storyline keeps circling around this inability to be authentic. The common retort is she is just “authentically” like that, so everyone should stop expecting her to suddenly change her personality to fit Ru’s moral code.

I get that. Maybe authentic is the wrong word. However, there’s an ease the best performers have that usually only comes from someone at their realest, purest, more “authentic” self. Audiences want to relinquish control, and the best performers can — with a joke or just a confident look — tell the audience, “I got you.” Jan has the immense talent to do absolutely anything she sets her mind to. The problem is you can always see her focus on the achievement, on the talent. It’s difficult for the audience to relax into her performance.

That’s certainly the problem in this number. Again, the song is … well, it’s no “Read U Wrote U,” let’s say that. Jan starts the show with a verse about how she’s happy and she knows it (*clap*clap*), and she does some vocal acrobatics that is more impressive than it is nice sounding. I’m sure it is very physically impressive to hit that note, and I am, without a doubt, certain she is performing it flawlessly, but you cannot, in good faith, tell me it sounds good. It doesn’t! Could there be a better representation of Jan’s Janness?

Pandora’s troubles follow her onto the mainstage as well. The content of her verse is thin. She attempts to recapture the spastic magic of her week one performance, but it feels out of place and wastes large swaths of Pandora’s small slice of time in the spotlight.

Looking to bounce back from last week’s bottom placement, Ra’Jah comes fully correct with a well-worded, adequately inspirational verse delivered with magnetic attitude. When Ra’Jah shines, she really sparkles, and it’s a blast watching her.

And then there’s Trinity. Girl. Like the strange (but ultimately charming) Super Bowl challenge, Trinity performs on an entirely different level. Maybe it’s the track’s budget Beyoncé vibes, but this is all TKB. Even when she’s not being featured, it’s hard to look away. Her lyrics have outstanding energy, a strong message and she delivers them while executing the same Samurai sword sharp choreo we’ve come to expect.

Eureka, whose “no wins yet” story really went nowhere, turns in a solid lip sync with strong lyrics about body confidence. Ginger talks about her size and bullying as a kid, but does it with a bit more performance and wittier lyrics. It’s a shame she looks like she’s in Halloween drag.

After a few early sleepy weeks, Kylie continues to rise. Out of all the dolls, she’s the most likely to be the Ginger Spice here. By that I mean she would unquestionably be the coolest, most popular and most adored by the gays. Her outfit is three times better than the next best-dressed queen during the performance. The hair, the boots, the skirt, everything. Her lyrics are fine, but like Geri, who gives a zigazig-ah what she’s saying when she looks that good!

Everyone turns it out for a Hot Tropics themed runway, and the judges along with RuPaul gown designer Zaldy, give mostly positive critiques across the board. Of course, Trinity gets the win. I don’t think it even matters, but her runway is also easily the best of the bunch, by far.

As telegraphed, Pandora’s dancing and Jan’s intensity place them both in the bottom. Ru says Jan’s performance lacked “soul,” which is up there with Scarlet’s “uncomfortable” savagery a couple weeks ago.

Deliberations backstage are more of the same. “It’s not my time!” etc., etc. It all starts to feel very rote.

Our lip sync assassin this week is Alexis Mateo, and it’s to none other than Jennifer freakin’ Lopez. Trinity and Alexis look ready to turn it up, but when they both go into a little Salsa dancing, it’s clear Alexis has the edge.

Ru agrees. Alexis pulls out Pandora’s lip stick, and it appears Jan lives to pep another day.

Not so fast! Alexis has a SECOND LIPSTICK. That’s right. A quick flashback reveals the vote is split, it’s a tie. That’s three votes Jan, three votes Pan.

Ru announces that All Stars rules dictate the decision now reverts to the challenge winner, TKB. She picks Jan’s lipstick, ending the Jantasy once and for all.

(Or not. Who knows what this game within a game entails?)

We’re close to the midpoint now, so I imagine we’ll see what Ru’s grand twist will be after next week’s Snatch Game. It’s a challenge that could really rearrange the board. Based on previous Snatches, Ginger and Pandora come in with a lot of pressure on their shoulders, while Kylie should be afraid, very afraid.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here’s where we’re at for now:

1. Any doubt has been erased, now that Trinity is the first queen to snag two wins. She’s our clear frontrunner, and with good reason. She stole the show in two big group numbers, won a comedic acting challenge, and slays every runway. Her Carnival look was outstanding, but never outshined the wearer. I’ll even forgive that wig slip during the lip sync, but you only get this one, TKB.
2. Ginger has got to be joining Trinity in the final four. The judges are really nitpicking now, because Ginger is on point whenever she’s onstage. She did look a fright during the challenge, but everyone looked kind of ridiculous. It wasn’t a fashion challenge. How many pictures of the Pussycat Dolls are in those listicles about terrible early-aughts fashion anyway?
3. Eureka is almost so good, you forget. She’s so professional, so polished, she always understands the assignment. You want inspiration? Bam. Big, broad comedy? You got it. Rhinestone the house down boots eleganza? Mama, you know she got it. She even packed a reveal and stunts into like 15 seconds of spotlight. Of everyone here, Eureka needs this win the least. She’s got a great gig with We’re Here, and she’s got the goods to book ballrooms for years to come. All Stars is ultimately a show about redemption, not supremacy. It’s an opportunity for viewers to see a wrong righted. Karmic justice and success seem to have found Eureka already, and maybe that’s what makes her harder to root for. Still, take nothing away from the Elephant Queen. Barring a major mishap, I still think she’s a lock for the finals.
4. This is where things get interesting. While the top three feel fairly certain at this point, the fourth position is a neck-and-neck race between Ra’Jah and Kylie. Ra’jah came out of the gate more strongly and has maintained a much more steady presence with commentary. On looks, both queens turn it out on every runway, but Ra’jah’s personality pops a bit more (at least in the edit we get to see). Snatch Game is going to be very important for Ra’Jah and Kylie. This week, I thought Ra’jah could’ve been worthy of the win. She was an absolute vision on the runway.
5. I did not expect Kylie to blossom the way she has these last few weeks. Last week’s win felt a little odd, considering how heavy a hand the directors had, but some acknowledgement for Kylie was feeling overdue. I thought her Steven Tyler was woefully overlooked, and, while I’m not typically a fan of so much body-ody-ody all the time, she always brings a little high-fashion point of view to even her skimpiest of attires. I’m not sold on the idea of Kylie taking the crown, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see her secure a spot in the finals.
6. It’s very possible for Pandora to bounce back in a big way with Snatch Game. The question is whether she can shake the hit to her confidence this week. Pandora reacted in the worst way possible when confronting a task you truly dread: She leaned all the way in and suffered through the whole thing. And it showed. If you watch Pandora’s face during the actual number, she looks like a kidnap victim. It was all over her face. Even when she walked the runway in that (admittedly gorge) vintage jetset getup, it felt like she was fighting back tears. Luckily, Snatch is in her wheelhouse. I just hope she doesn’t go back to the Carol Channing well again.
7. I really think tonight’s runway is my favorite Jan has ever, EVER looked on Drag Race. I usually find her outfits to feel very “trying to be editorial,” but there was something lovingly cheap and trashy about the Jersey Shore drag she wore. It was fun! There was an ease to it! From the minute Jan started rapping, I knew it was curtains for her. The lyrics were the opposite of inspirational. They made me want to never leave the house again. It was just so clearly far from not only what the judges were looking for this week, but also what they have been asking specifically from her this whole time. It’s a blindspot, for sure. Still, there is no denying Jan’s ability, her dedication and her pep-pep-pep. She may not be right to win a popular TV competition with a very vocal fanbase, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have the chops that even an anti-pep curmudgeon like me can appreciate.

How would you rank the queens?

Catch up with all our RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars coverage.

Congratulations to Sunisa Lee, we are so excited! Also, a helpful and not-overwhelming customized map to help you follow the new CDC guidelines on mask wearing, because we want everyone to be safe!

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