Makayla Gerken-Schofield adamant LGBTQ+ voices must be heard in Beijing

Makayla Gerken-Schofield is adamant that the voices of LGBTQ+ athletes must be heard as she prepares to make her Winter Olympic debut in the women’s moguls competition in Zhangjikou on Thursday.

The 22-year-old came out as pansexual last year, and says she is undaunted by the host nation’s relative intolerance and warnings of “punishment” for speaking out on sensitive issues.

Gerken-Schofield, who is competing alongside her sister Leonie, told PA Media: “We have to be careful and not going to an extreme, but I feel like everyone should be allowed to express themselves. Me being myself should not be not allowed.

“Going to an Olympics gives me even more visibility, and it is important for young people out there, whether athletes or not, to have that person who could inspire them to be able to come out or get out those feelings that are buried inside.

“I’ve already had a few messages and stories from people, and a tear comes to my eye because it is something that touches me – the fact that people have the confidence to come to me and speak out is something that has touched my heart.”

Gus Kenworthy and Bruce Mouat are among the openly gay athletes also representing Great Britain in China, whose official national TV regulator issued an edict in September ordering broadcasters to “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal aesthetics.”

We have to be careful and not going to an extreme, but I feel like everyone should be allowed to express themselves. Me being myself should not be not allowed.- Makayla Gerken-Schofield

It raised fears of a crackdown on freedom of speech during the Games, amid a backdrop of allegations of serious human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region, and the jailing of protestors in Hong Kong.

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