Badminton star Gilmour urges LGBTQ rights progress in Asia

Scottish European champion Kirsty Gilmour called for greater acceptance of LGBTQ people in Asia as she arrived in New Delhi for the world badminton championships. The 32-year-old, who came out as gay in 2021, spoke on Saturday after training at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, where the tournament begins Monday.

Gilmour said she and a Scotland teammate from the community were comforted by their hotel’s prominent pride symbols, including an LGBTQ-themed elephant and staff wearing rainbow pins. Asia is badminton’s heartland but openly gay athletes remain rare. The Olympian also reflected on her biggest career win in April, Scotland’s first European women’s singles title, ending years of near-misses and five runner-up finishes at the continental event.

"I think it's really nice to have something on my CV that is definitive," she said, adding that her triumph could inspire a new generation back home with a population of 5.5 million. The world championships will feature top players from across the region.