Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, recently cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the inaugural photo exhibit at Los Angeles City Hall highlighting LGBT Olympic athletes over the years.

(photo courtesy of the 13th Council District Office)

Through the end of June, the photographs will be on display on the Third Floor Bridge Gallery hallway at City Hall. The exhibit is a partnership with SoCal Gas, Outsports.com, Getty Images, the Los Angeles Public Library and the Department of Cultural Affairs to host the photo exhibit at City Hall honoring LGBT Olympic athletes. O’Farrell was joined at the opening ceremony by City Controller Ron Galperin, representatives of the Los Angeles Library and former Olympians Greg Louganis and Tai Babilonia.

Two openly gay American athletes competed during the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, many athletes who competed at the Olympic level weren’t historically able to come out because of homophobia and fear of personal and professional reprisals, O’Farrell said.

“Living authentically in the context of the current political climate is, by its very nature, a form of resistance,” O’Farrell added. “Gone are the days when we are bullied into thinking we are inferior to anyone else. Our LGBT athletes remind us of that fact.”