On 26 August, Pearson took home his 12th gold medal since his Paralympic debut in 2000 when he and his horse, Breezer, won the Grade II individual test in dressage.
Following the win, the 47-year-old gay athlete was asked to give a message to the LGBTQ+ community by a reporter. “Love has to prevail, really,” Pearson said. “Whatever shape or form, I think love has to prevail.
If you’re born with a disability, if you have a child with a disability, if you’re born with same-sex attraction, if your daughter comes out or your son, then just love them.” Pearson went on to explain that those who are “different” are not going anywhere, so we need to “embrace” each other whenever possible.