Difference between revisions of "LGBTQ Cyclists"

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An absent sport in this line-up is cycling. This is curious because there is no shortage of popular LGBTQ cycling clubs in regions around the world. Do a Google search using the words 'LGBTQ Cycling' and a plethora of local cycling clubs comes up.
 
An absent sport in this line-up is cycling. This is curious because there is no shortage of popular LGBTQ cycling clubs in regions around the world. Do a Google search using the words 'LGBTQ Cycling' and a plethora of local cycling clubs comes up.
  
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We have been able to identify only a few international cyclists who self-identify as LGBTQ. Despite their small numbers, this group of cyclist has achieved notable results in their sports. One is an Olympic Bronze medalist. Two have been world champions. All are national champions in their respective countries. Just as importantly, all have been ground-breakers for acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in their sport.  Scotland's [[Philippa York]] raced eleven Tours de France and other professional races, winning the King of the Mountains prize in the Tour de France in 1984, and finishing fourth overall that year, second in the 1985 and 1986 Tours of Spain, and in the 1987 Giro d’Italia.
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We have been able to identify only a few international cyclists who self-identify as LGBTQ. Despite their small numbers, this group of cyclist has achieved notable results in their sports. One is an Olympic Bronze medalist. Three have been world champions. All are national champions in their respective countries. Just as importantly, all have been ground-breakers for acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in their sport.   
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Scotland's [[Philippa York]] raced eleven Tours de France and other professional races, winning the King of the Mountains prize in the Tour de France in 1984, and finishing fourth overall that year, second in the 1985 and 1986 Tours of Spain, and in the 1987 Giro d’Italia. France's [[Marie Patouillet]] won the 2023 Paracyling world championships. 
  
 
Perhaps the principal reason for the stark contrast between the plethora of local LGBTQ cycling clubs and the general absence of out professional cyclists is the macho culture in all sports.  As well, there is no doubt that a professional athlete is concerned about their income-earning potential (in terms of team acceptance, sponsorship, and advertising contracts) should they be identified as LGBTQ.
 
Perhaps the principal reason for the stark contrast between the plethora of local LGBTQ cycling clubs and the general absence of out professional cyclists is the macho culture in all sports.  As well, there is no doubt that a professional athlete is concerned about their income-earning potential (in terms of team acceptance, sponsorship, and advertising contracts) should they be identified as LGBTQ.
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As well, follow the links below for stories that analyze why cycling as a sport remains a laggard for the identity, and acceptance, of LGBTQ individuals.
 
As well, follow the links below for stories that analyze why cycling as a sport remains a laggard for the identity, and acceptance, of LGBTQ individuals.
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'''Australia'''
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* [[Natalya Diehm]]
  
 
'''Canada'''
 
'''Canada'''
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* [[Michelle Dumaresq]]
 
* [[Michelle Dumaresq]]
 
* [[Rachel McKinnon]]
 
* [[Rachel McKinnon]]
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* [[Kate O'Brien]]
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* [[Corey Walsh]]
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'''Belgium'''
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* [[Justin Laevens]]
  
 
'''Chile'''
 
'''Chile'''
  
 
* [[Florence Espineira]]
 
* [[Florence Espineira]]
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'''France'''
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* [[Marie Patouillet]]
  
 
'''Germany'''
 
'''Germany'''
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'''Great Britain'''
 
'''Great Britain'''
  
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* [[Emily Bridges]]
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* [[Clay Davies]]
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* [[Crystal Lane-Wright]]
 
* [[Graeme Obree]]
 
* [[Graeme Obree]]
 
* [[Emma Trott]]
 
* [[Emma Trott]]
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* [[Lizzie Williams]]
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'''Ireland'''
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* [[Katie-George Dunlevy]]
  
 
'''New Zealand'''
 
'''New Zealand'''
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* [[Philippa York]] (formerly Robert Millar)
 
* [[Philippa York]] (formerly Robert Millar)
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'''Switzerland'''
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* [[Camille Balanche]]
  
 
'''The Netherlands'''
 
'''The Netherlands'''
  
 
* [[Renate Groenewold]]
 
* [[Renate Groenewold]]
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* [[Marianne Vos]]
  
 
'''United States'''
 
'''United States'''
  
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* [[Perris Benegas]]
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* [[Lea Davison]]
 
* [[Michelle Ferris]]
 
* [[Michelle Ferris]]
 
* [[Brendan Housler]]
 
* [[Brendan Housler]]
 
* [[Allison Jones]]
 
* [[Allison Jones]]
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* [[Hannah Roberts]]
 
* [[James Scully]]
 
* [[James Scully]]
 
* [[Chris Witty]]
 
* [[Chris Witty]]
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* [[The World of LGBTQ Golf]]
 
* [[The World of LGBTQ Golf]]
 
* [[World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
 
* [[World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
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* [[LGBTQ Athletes Who Have Won Olympic Gold]]
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* [[LGBTQ Track & Field]]
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* [[Lesbian Professional Basketball Players and Coaches]]
  
 
==Further Reading/Research==
 
==Further Reading/Research==

Latest revision as of 18:24, 5 August 2024

LGBTQ Cycling

A number of sports have been in the news lately for athletes who are coming out as LGBTQ - basketball, football, soccer, swimming, diving, tennis (see LGBTQ Tennis), and more. Analysts see this as a progressive move for the acceptance of LGBTQs in society.

An absent sport in this line-up is cycling. This is curious because there is no shortage of popular LGBTQ cycling clubs in regions around the world. Do a Google search using the words 'LGBTQ Cycling' and a plethora of local cycling clubs comes up.

We have been able to identify only a few international cyclists who self-identify as LGBTQ. Despite their small numbers, this group of cyclist has achieved notable results in their sports. One is an Olympic Bronze medalist. Three have been world champions. All are national champions in their respective countries. Just as importantly, all have been ground-breakers for acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in their sport.

Scotland's Philippa York raced eleven Tours de France and other professional races, winning the King of the Mountains prize in the Tour de France in 1984, and finishing fourth overall that year, second in the 1985 and 1986 Tours of Spain, and in the 1987 Giro d’Italia. France's Marie Patouillet won the 2023 Paracyling world championships.

Perhaps the principal reason for the stark contrast between the plethora of local LGBTQ cycling clubs and the general absence of out professional cyclists is the macho culture in all sports. As well, there is no doubt that a professional athlete is concerned about their income-earning potential (in terms of team acceptance, sponsorship, and advertising contracts) should they be identified as LGBTQ.

Of all sports, cycling has been the most advanced for dealing with performance enhancing drugs. The global attention and controversy surrounding this aspect of the sport may have caused some athletes to hesitate about coming out.

A particular issue for the transgender community is that a gender transitioned competitor may have an athletic advantage in sports which are centred on individual pursuit (such as cycling). There is equal concern that drugs taken during the transition process (such as growth hormones) may also give a competitive advantage. However, scientific studies have shown that hormone therapy facilitating gender transition also adjust muscle mass, bone density and other physical characteristics and thereby eliminate any potential advantage.

We have identified the following individuals as out LGBTQ individuals in the sport of cycling. Read their full biographies on QueerBio.com.

As well, follow the links below for stories that analyze why cycling as a sport remains a laggard for the identity, and acceptance, of LGBTQ individuals.

Australia

Canada

Belgium

Chile

France

Germany

Great Britain

Ireland

New Zealand

Scotland

Switzerland

The Netherlands

United States

See Also

Further Reading/Research


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