Beijing: Record-setting LGBTQ turnout in Winter Games
Outsports reported on February 7 that a record-setting 35 out LGBTQ athletes are competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics, more than all previous Winter Olympics combined. Hailing from at least seven different countries, the athletes will participate across nine different sports, with most in either figure skating or ice hockey.

Figure skater Lewis Gibson from Team Great Britain said of being an out Olympian, "It's honestly a privilege to feel part of a community, and one that is pushing boundaries like no other. Every four years the numbers skyrocket up and up, and it's so great to see and so great to be a part of."

Brazil's Nicole Silveira shared a similar sentiment. "Knowing that I can step on the big stage, the Olympics, as a known LGBTQ member and be able to bring out more visibility and help athletes be who they want to be, it brings me a lot of joy," she said. "I hope I can be that person that helps lift that weight off someone else's shoulder.

In addition, The Advocate pointed out that out speed skater Brittany Bowe was the flag bearer for Team USA in the games' opening ceremony this year.

India: Defense Ministry blocks film about Gay soldier
The Washington Blade reported on February 7 that Indian filmmaker Onir has criticized the Indian Defense Ministry's decision to not approve his film about a former soldier who quit the military after coming out as Gay.

Onir said ministry officials told him over the phone that the main character's status as both Gay and a soldier — which is illegal in the Indian Army — made the film ineligible for clearance, on grounds of a 2020 policy that asks the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to get approval from the Defense Ministry for any film depicting Army personnel. The vetting process is supposed to prevent film producers from showing army men in a "derogatory manner."

Onir told the Washington Blade, "There are 56 countries across the world where the LGBTQI community is accepted as part of the military. Anyone, irrespective of their sexuality, should be evaluated for their work, skill, patriotism, or intelligence. Sexuality does not define anyone's skill in the army or anywhere else, and so LGBTQ people serving the country are equally heroes."

Onir has since sent an appeal to the defense secretary, but he has said he doesn't plan to go to court if the appeal isn't granted, preferring to find other ways to make the film possible.