Out Paralympian Makes History in Rio as UK's First Gay Flagbearer (Video)

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Out Paralympian Makes History in Rio as UK's First Gay Flagbearer
By carrying the flag for his British homeland, Lee Pearson becomes the first openly gay flagbearer at any Paralympics or Olympic Games. 
 Dawn Ennis
          
          Sep 07, 2016
          
        
Dawn Ennis
The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.
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Out Paralympian Makes History in Rio as UK's First Gay Flagbearer

By carrying the flag for his British homeland, Lee Pearson becomes the first openly gay flagbearer at any Paralympics or Olympic Games.

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Out Paralympian Makes History in Rio as UK's First Gay Flagbearer

By carrying the flag for his British homeland, Lee Pearson becomes the first openly gay flagbearer at any Paralympics or Olympic Games.

FROM OUR SPONSORS

The Latest

“People have chosen to stay in the military because they see people like me,” First Lieutenant Brian Femminella told The Advocate.

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

More For You

Most Popular

Conservative lawmakers are attempting to take away protections that some local governments have put in place to prevent discrimination against their LGBTQ+ citizens.

A queer Black writer reflects on Rev. Jesse Jackson’s evolving relationship with LGBTQ+ people — and what it meant for those of us raised in the Black church.

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

On Truth Social, the president appeared to leave the door open to kids getting gender-affirming care with "express written approval of the parents."

These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.