Federation of Gay Games at Copenhagen Human Rights Conference

The final program for the Copenhagen conference is online. Direct link to the FGG session on "The Future of LGBT Sport and Culture" can be found HERE.

In this workshop FGG will propose a series of open questions and ask participants to discuss. Some of the questions are: What is your view of the current International LGBT Sport and Cultural Events schedule? What changes, if any, would you like to see? From 2011 onwards, what is the ideal calendar of events for your organisation? What role are you or your organisation able to play in implementing any proposed changes?

"Attractive" female players get preferential treatment at Wimbledon

An interesting article entitled: "Babe, set and match: Why looks count for more than talent when Wimbledon decides which girls will play on Centre Court" in the Daily Mail. Read more HERE

NY State Senate in the news... ah, homophobia!

As the NY State Senate remains in crisis, a long and enlightening interview with homophobic Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz, in which he returns to the question of his opposition to the 1994 Gay Games.

Video (Spanish) and full transcript (English) HERE.

JMB: And let me, because many think that you have based your political career on this topic, the topic of opposition to homosexuals. It includes, it is said, because I haven't been able to find the Spanish-language column that you wrote in 1994, you wrote a column about the Gay Games that were going to be celebrated here in the city of New York and you said: "It might be that some of the gay and lesbian athletes are already infected with AIDS and go back home with the virus." And you said that children could determine that, if there were so many gay and lesbian athletes,there was nothing wrong [with it] nor any risk. This is something you said in the year '94 and it created quite a stir. And in 2003 you also were opposed to giving additional funding to a high-school, the Harvey Milk School, which is dedicated specially to students who have had trouble at their school, or at home for the fact of being homosexual. You said that it took away finding from Latino students but, when it came down to it, Latino and African-American students were the majority in that school...

RD: ...GAY! The majority were homosexual. Better said, both situations give me the reason. Number one, the gays - OLYMPIC games for gays and lesbians - WHY! What do they have that is so special! There are olympic games for the deaf, for the mute, for those who limp, for the dismembered, for the elderly...

JMB: But you made it seem as if all of them had AIDS.

RD: Well, yes, because back then, Magic Johnson came out with AIDS and Magic Johnson was denied entry in another country.

JMB: Uhhum.

RD: Because he had AIDS at that same time,so we were telling everyone - all those who were there - "Come in!" - at that time when things were difficult with AIDS and we didn't know - "Come in!" without having been checked. Better said, that is... that is... like now in Mexico. Why now in Mexico, when now you have that fever, everyone stops going to Mexico, and everyone begins to use protection - eh, eh - the same thing! You know! A catastrophe is happening. Why are we going to bring everyone here without checking.

Which pro athlete will come out of closet?

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

As the movement for marriage equality and gay liberation gains momentum, we should peer with heightened expectation toward the world of sports. Yes, sports. Every movement for civil rights over the past century has seen the struggle for equality reverberate in the often quite conservative arena of sports.

[...]

To risk their jobs is to risk their golden ticket. This is why the athletes who have come out of the closet have done so after they retire. Esera Tuaolo[*] and Dave Kopay[*] of the NFL, John Amaechi[*] of the NBA, Billy Bean[*] and the late Glenn Burke in Major League Baseball, all took this route. The reasons for staying in the closet are manifest.

[...]

In sports such as football, one might expect there to be even threats of violence carried out in hard play on the field. But maybe the ride could be smoother than we all think.

Brian Sims, a former defensive tackle and captain of the Bloomsburg University football team, came out to his team during his senior season. As the Web site Outsports.com wrote, "With the preparation and frenzy surrounding the team as they inched closer to the playoffs and then started winning playoff games, the sexuality of one of the team's most respected players was the furthest from players' concerns ... No one shied away from him. His being gay became just more fodder for locker room teasing, like someone's fat mom."

Not ideal, but there is clearly space to come out that Kopay in the 1970s, or even Tuaolo a decade ago, didn't have. The movement outside the playing field means that a number of writers could be expected to write favorable pieces about the "gay Jackie Robinson."

[...]

Read the entire article HERE

* Gay Games Ambassadors

FGG Ambassador takes bronze at European championships

Chris Morgan, the current Gay Games Powerlifting champion, has added a bronze medal to his collection at this year’s European Drug Free Championships. .

He was lifting in the European competition, held in Kohtla Jarve in Estonia and made lifts of 217.5 kilos in Squat, 112.5 kilos in Bench Press and 250 Kilos in Deadlift, giving him an overall total of 580 kilos. He was competing in the 82.5 kilo weight class. Chris was returning from serious injury and has now made the qualification standard for this year’s World Drug Free Powerlifting Championships to be held later this year. Chris has now represented England on six occasions, taking gold, three silvers and two bronze medals across the European and World Championships.

Speaking about the competition, Chris said: ‘The last few months had been extremely difficult with injuries leaving me without a qualifying total for this year’s World Championships. This competition in Estonia has helped me to overcome these problems and rediscover some of my form on the platform. I’m very pleased to have made the England team for another World Championship, but realise there is a serious amount of work to be done. It’s always an honour and a privilege to represent my country in international sport.’

‘I’d like to thank all my supporters and friends at the Gay Games for their support through my injury problems and take the opportunity to remind everyone of the Gay Games that are happening in Cologne next year.

Chris’s forthcoming competitions will be the All England Championships on the 23rd August 2009 in Northampton and the World Drug Free Powerlifting Championships to be held in Milton Keynes on the14th & 15th November 2009.Chris has recently been selected to represent England as an International Referee at this year’s World Single Lift Championships in Bradford to be held 11th, 12th & 13th September 2009.

Website: www.chunkymuscle.com

Chris has been Powerlifting for over 11 years and his past accomplishments include:

World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation - British Drug Free Powerlifting Association
International Elite Standard lifter
British Drug Free Powerlifting Champion 2005
British Drug Free Squat Champion 2008
British Drug Free Deadlift Champion 2008
World Championship 2004 (Silver)
European Championship 2005 (Silver)
World Championship 2005 (Gold)
World Championship 2006 (Bronze)
World Single Lift Championship 2008 (Silver)
European Championship 2009 (Bronze)
Current Ranking
* No 1 South West
* No 4 England
* No 4 Britain
* No 7 World

International Powerlifting Federation - British Weightlifters Association
* British Championship Finalist 2004
Current Ranking
* No 1 South West
* Top 10 England
* Top 10 World

Four Gay Games Gold medals 2006
Gay Games Gold Medal 2002
Gay Games Silver Medal 1998
Gay Games record holder in Squat
Gay Games record holder in Deadlift
Gay Games record holder in total poundage
He is an FGG Ambassador: www.gaygames.com www.games-cologne.com
He is a member of the English Football Association's Advisory Group on Homophobia www.thefa.com

Greg Walsh

Greg Walsh, a popular player in Chicago's gay sports leagues for most of the past 10 years, particularly basketball, died unexpectedly May 20. He was 41.

A Chicago-area native, Walsh was involved with running the basketball action at the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, and though he did not play in the Games, he played annually in the wintertime Windy City Athletic Association's basketball league and the annual Cody Roundball Classic tournament.

Read the full obituary in the Windy City Times, HERE.

Stephanie Johnstone at Pride Toronto awards gala

Stephanie Johnstone looking nice at the Toronto Pride Gala, where she won the Pride Award for Sports.

Read more about Stephanie and the other winners HERE.

Sport panel refuses late GLBT submission

From the Sydney Star Observer:

Anger is mounting at the refusal of a national independent panel to allow a late submission addressing the needs of GLBT people in sport.

The Independent Sport Panel is due to report to the federal Government before the end of the year. A late request to include a submission on strengthening member protection policies in sports clubs to protect GLBT players has been rejected.

Rob Mitchell, behind much of the push to get the AFL to include sexual orientation in its vilification policies, contacted the panel last week and was told the deadline had passed.

“At the conclusion of the first Asia Pacific Outgames this panel was announced and an expert panel was established and there’s not one mention of GLBT people?… It’s an insult,” he said.

Sports Minister Kate Ellis announced the appointment of the panel to look into reforming Australian sport for future growth.

The panel will look at both elite and grassroots community sport.

Mitchell was also in talks with the Australian Sports Commission in a bid to increase the body’s awareness of homophobia in sport.

The ASC’s submission to the panel does not mention tackling homophobia or including GLBT people in sport.

Mitchell told Sydney Star Observer the ASC has agreed to talks with the community by establishing a reference group to address their board with a submission.

The ASC told SSO it was the starting point of conversations with the community and nothing has been set in stone.

Colombo Pride

From FGG member "Equal Ground":

We have pleasure in presenting the 5th COLOMBO PRIDE festival which will run from 28th June till 5th July 2009. COLOMBO PRIDE began quite modestly with a PRIDE party in 2005. At the time no one thought the event would take off the way it has. Catering only for a maximum of 100 persons COLOMBO PRIDE 2005 surprised all by surpassing the 100 mark with an attendance of over 325 persons. Riding on the crest of this success. COLOMBO PRIDE 2006 saw the launch of a weeklong celebration featuring events such as MotherSon, a one man play by Jeff Solomon, a LGBT Film Marathon, Kite festival, Party and theatre workshops which attracted even bigger crowds than 2005. 2007 and 2008 were even more successful than in the past with over 2000 persons attending PRIDE celebrations last year! As always, COLOMBO PRIDE offers a safe space for people to be themselves and celebrate their sexuality with PRIDE with other like minded persons.

Details on the Equal Groun blog.

June 22: Happi Birthdai Cyndi Lauper!

Cyndi Lauper performing at closing ceremony of Gay Games VII, Chicago 2006

Final IGLFA 2009 video: "We are all champions"

Congratulations to IGLFA, IGLFA 2009, and all the teams and volunteers for a great event! And come to the 2010 IGLFA world championships in Cologne during Gay Games VIII!

Our Group founder Andrew Langenfeld's message to the Team Philly panel discussion

Former Sydney Gay Games Official Promoted

The Sydney Star Observer has an article about Katrina Márton. Sydney Gay Games executive Katrina Márton is appointed by New Mardi Gras (NMG) to the organisation’s Head of Events.

Katrina Márton was the Executive Producer of the 2002 Gay Games. She also was responsible for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in 2002. This is another very successful person that continues to shine.

Click HERE for the article.

FGG Ambassador David Kopay answers: Is the NFL Ready for An Openly Gay Player?

From the Washington Post feature on gay players in the NFL about which we posted earlier, this essay from FGG Ambassador David Kopay:

Come Out of the Dark Ages

When I came out, in 1975, I thought it wasn't going to take very long for other players to follow. Of course nobody talked about gay people back then. That's what made it such a totally wild story.

But if the NFL is not ready now, it should be. Come on, how many years has it been? In 1968 Jerry [Smith] -- Mr. Touchdown with the Redskins -- was out more than I was. Sure it was taboo, but now times have changed.

Society is still way ahead of the NFL on the subject of homosexuality. If you don't recognize that gay folks have every right of regular society then you are in the dark ages, but of course sports are in the dark ages. They are trying now though and that's a really big plus. On the college levels they're even more progressive. I've been welcomed like a total icon. It's amazing.

I've been blessed in being able to contribute to this issue and speak up for myself and others. I wish Jerry was alive to see it. I feel bad about that. When I came out it put him in a very difficult position, but I was just reacting like any player when someone's trying to knock your head off. Life puts you sometimes in a strange position and you just have to go for it. I may have missed out on coaching but I've done so much with my life and I am so blessed, so blessed that I even have parking karma... how good is that?

Things are changing and I'm so lucky to be alive in these times. To think that we now have a black president! I never thought I would see that day, but I hoped for it. As a long time supporter of civil rights I always felt that what Martin Luther King was saying was the same thing gays were fighting for.

Sexuality is a personal and complicated thing. You can't define somebody by a word. Love doesn't have a gender, it's love period. I know that. I knew that when i was married, I knew that when I was in the closet and I know that now... it's just love.

BAR column on sports movies at film festival

Writes Roger Brigham:

Three sports-themed documentaries in the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival drive one point home with crystalline clarity: to gain acceptance from others, you first have to have the strength to get comfortable with who you are, then have the strength to invade other people's comfort zones so they can react, learn, and grow.

For the full column, visit eBar.

Is the NFL Ready for An Openly Gay Player?

The Washington Post asks the question. And the answers don't seem to create much of a reaction... except for this one, with over 100 comments at the time of posting, from pastor and former NFL player Kenneth Hutcherson, senior pastor of Antioch Bible Church and a former linebacker:

No "Gay" in "Team"

Football is like the army -- it's a battle field. In war you have to trust the guy that's next to you. Now, if a teammate has different views about what they're attracted to in the showers it's going to affect the team. It'll destroy the oneness.

Men are going to be more comfortable with other heterosexuals. It's like having a woman on the team or having a woman in the shower. How can you keep your mind on the game when you're thinking about running back to the showers? It would have a tremendous effect. It would be safer for the team and the individual if they didn't come out.

When you have a team worth millions and millions of dollars anything that would mess with the oneness must be removed from the team. Homosexuality is a very divisive issue -- it would affect the camaraderie.

It's not a civil rights issue like with racism -- there's no comparison. That's not even apples and oranges, that's like comparing apples to Chevys. Has a homosexual ever been considered 3/5ths of a person? Has a homosexual ever had to sit at the back of the bus? Has a homosexual ever had to use a different bathroom? I can't change being black... but there are a lot of people, especially in our churches, that have changed being gay.

Read more here of this contribution, the comments to it, and the other contributions, on the Washington Post.

A look back at Tom Waddell

With the premiere of the film "Claiming the Title" coming soon, we thought it interesting to recall the birth of the Gay Games with this article from the New York Times.

Scouting; The Two Wars Of Tom Waddell

Published: October 28, 1986

Tom Waddell, who placed sixth in the 1968 Olympic decathlon and helped found the Gay Games in San Francisco four years ago, is fighting two battles these days. He has high hopes of winning one - an appeal to the Supreme Court of decisions siding with the United States Olympic Committee, which has prohibited the Gay Games from using the designation ''Gay Olympics.''

Continue reading at the New York Times.

Foto Flashback: Gay Games on Photobucket

See photos from Gay Games VII Chicago 2006 on Photobucket.

Sydney Star Observer supports Gay Games VIII

Sydney Star Observer’s parent company, SSO Media, has signed a sponsorship agreement with the 2010 Cologne Gay Games.

The deal, which also include the company’s Melbourne publication, Southern Star, will strengthen Australia’s representation at the global event.

“We are so grateful to have the support of Sydney Star Observer and Southern Star for the 2010 Gay Games,” Games Cologne CEO Annette Wachter said.

“Visibility is such a key part of getting people to participate and having top media outlets like SSO Media as our partners helps us in Australia and around the globe.

“Anyone who was in Sydney for the 2002 Gay Games already knows how hopeful and excited we are becoming here in Cologne. Only seven cities and five countries have hosted the Gay Games and we are honoured that our brothers and sisters in Australia are supporting us over the next year as we finish the hard work to get our city and community ready to welcome you.”

Click here to continue reading

Gay Games VIII songwriting contest

Gay Games Cologne 2010 are looking for the official theme song! Songwriters from all over the world are invited to contribute. Win a chance to have your work represent the Cologne 2010 Gay Games to the world!

An internal board of experts will choose the top five of all the compositions submitted for a grand finale. A live event will be held to select the winner by a panel of celebrities both from the field of culture and from the gay and lesbian community.

This official theme song will then be recorded prior to the Gay Games 2010 and published on CD and in online stores. It will also be used to advertise the Gay Games 2010.

More info here.

GGVIII 2010 Gay Games Sailing

GGVIII 2010
Gay Games Sailing

Be part of Gay Games history when you sail in the first Gay Games to offer a pan-European setting. Sailing will take place just across the Netherlands border in scenic Roermond, where all the best Cologne sailors compete.

Venue
All sailing events will be held on the Maas lakes (www.watersportschool.de), a popular and world-renowned sailing spot, located 90km from Cologne. Shuttle buses will run 3 times per day to and from Roermond. Cost is €10 round-trip for participants and €20 for spectators.

Dates of Events - 31 July to 7 August 2010
Monday, 2 August - Training (optional)
Tuesday, 3 August - 1st Round (3 races)
Wednesday, 4 August - 2nd Round (3 races)
Thursday, 5 August - 3rd Round (3 races)
Friday, 6 August - Finals

Participation
The fleet is comprised of 20 identical VALK sailboats. A maximum of 60 teams with 3 crew per team (180 participants in total) will take part. As of 1 January, 2009, a waiting list exists to fill remaining team allocations. Teams will be placed on the list according to date and time registration was received. Don't wait to register !!

Categories and Divisions of Competition
There will be a competitive and recreational category. To ensure adequate and fair distribution in the divisions, teams may be asked to change category. There are no weight limits.

Rules of Play
The Regatta will follow the rules of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the the German Sailing Federation (DSV).

Boats & Equipment
20 6.5 Meter (21 feet) Valk keelboats will be used. (Some participants may already be familiar with these boats, which were used for the 2001 and 2002 EuroGay Cup Regattas in preparation for the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney.) Life vests will be available for use. See www.glorysailing.org for boat information.
E-mail Contact: sailing@games-cologne.de

We hope to see you all at Gay Games VIII in 2010 in Cologne for a spectacular sailing experience !

For more information and to register today, visit www.games-cologne.com

Follow the IGLFA action!

Follow the tournament at the IGLFA 2010 Tournament Center.

Two days to IGLFA!

Two Weeks To Go Till IGLFA 2009!

A message from Federation of Gay Games member organization IGLFA:

Are You Getting Excited? 2 Weeks To Go Till IGLFA 2009

INFO HERE

There is now less than 2 weeks until IGLFA 2009 - The Official 2009 Gay Soccer World Championship!

If you are not registered because you don't have a team to play with, don't let that stop you! You can sign up as an "Individual Player Looking For A Team To Play On". Just fill out all the information that we ask, and we will make sure that you are on a team for the tournament. There are several teams that are still looking for players to round out their rosters.

IGLFA 2009 is THE GLBT Soccer (football....futbol) Event of 2009. We've said it before, and we'll say it again - Don't be a part of just any sporting event....Be The MAIN Event!

Follow "Spud on the Run" from Sydney to Cologne

Follow a future ex couch potato striving to achieve her fitness goals, with among her major milestone challenges, participation in Martial Arts at Gay Games VIII in Cologne. Visit the "Spud on the Run" blog to learn more.

Do you have a blog where you talk about your preparation for Gay Games VIII? Write Kelly and we'll be happy to share the info!

Gay Games Scholarship

This is worth a repost. You can change a life. Donate.

Click HERE .

Gay Games and VolunteerMatch

The Federation of Gay Game has signed on to VolunteerMatch to recruit more volunteers and bring volunteers from the entire world. VolunteerMatch offers a method of reaching out with social networking to bring people to the causes they really wish to help.

Congratulations Dick Uyvari

Pictured: Larry Pike ( left ) and Dick Uyvari.
Photo courtesy Stephanie Johnstone, Vice President of IGBO

From Windy City Times:

The International Gay Bowling Organization ( IGBO ) honored Chicago’s Dick Uyvari with its Fellowship Award at the organization’s 29th annual meeting and tournament, held over Memorial Day weekend in Oklahoma City. The Fellowship Award is IGBO’s highest honor and is presented to two individuals each year that best represent the organization’s motto—unity, fellowship and communication. Denver’s Larry Pike also received the award.

Uyvari was singled out for his record of service in the bowling community and philanthropy. He served on IGBO’s first board of directors and was instrumental in founding Chicago’s first gay bowling tournament; He served as president, secretary or treasurer in more than a dozen Chicago leagues. He also represented Chicago’s leagues in IGBO for nearly ten years and co-directed the only IGBO tournament ever hosted in Chicago.


Click HERE to read the full article.

http://www.windycitytimes.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gay Games Blogger Note:
Dick Uyvari and his life partner Joe La Pat have been fantastic supporters of the Gay Games and so many other organisations through out the years. His partner Joe La Pat died 1 year ago this month. Dick Uyvari continues their good work.

Team Philly SportsWeek starts today!

For a great story on this event, visit the Philadelphia Gay News.

And for the full schedule, visit the SportsWeek website.

Team Philadelphia’s SportsWeek Homophobia in Sports Discussion

Friday 06/05/2009 7-9 PM
Speakers Panel Discussion on Homophobia in Sports

Our Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support the athletic community, will be opening Team Philadelphia’s SportsWeek on June 5th 2009 with a panel discussion focusing on the current environment for LGBT student-athletes at universities nationwide. The attitudes toward LGBT individuals in general society versus attitudes toward the same individuals within the athletic community show a huge discrepancy with the athletic community’s views lagging about ten years behind that of the general population. The group of current and former student-athletes along with their advisory board of the top some of the top scholars in the field, are determined to merge that gap. Members of the Our Group board will discuss current challenges within the athletic community while telling their own personal stories ranging from struggle to triumph and acceptance and focusing on the importance of action within LGBT community as well as support within the athletic community.

Panelists will include:

Sean Smith – Rutgers University ’05, 2005 Big East Swimmer of the Year, Assistant Coach 05-06, 2000 & 2004 Olympic Trials competitor, Our Group Secretary, Out 100 Honoree 2007

Jenelle DeVits – University of New Hampshire ’09, Women’s Basketball team captain 08-09, Walk on freshman, scholarship athlete Jr. and Sr. season, Wildcat award recipient for embodying the goals of a UNH student-athlete, Our Group Treasurer

Anna Aagenes – University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2010
Major: Gender, Society, and Culture, Minor: Spanish
Team Captain Cross Country 2009-Track 2010, Team MVP 2009 Season, 2nd Team All Ivy, NCAA Regional Qualifier 800 m
Co-Chair Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia and Co-Chair Queer Student Alliance

Brian Sims - Bloomsburg University '01, Michigan State University Law School '04
Captain 2000 Div. II College Football National Champion Runner-Up, Two-time NCAA Regional All-American
Staff Counsel for Policy & Planning at the Philadelphia Bar Association, Chair of the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia

Ted Rybka - Arizona State University (B.A. Russian 1996; Master of Mass Communications 2006), Director of Sports Media for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Our Group founding board member

Mark Schuster – moderator
Mark has been an administrator and faculty for over twenty-five years in the Northeast and Midwest. Currently the Senior Dean of Students at Rutgers University, supervises all deans at Rutgers along with 30,000 students and Judicial affairs for 45,000 students. He is also an affiliate faculty psych and women’s and gender studies and has taught Sport and Sexuality classes for 10 years. Mark has a Masters in Sport Psychology and Cultural Studies of Sport from the University of Iowa and his PhD. coursework is in Higher Education Administration, also from Iowa.


Time: 7:00-9:00
Date: Friday, June 5, 2009
Place: Carriage House, 3907 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA

Websites of Gay Games IX bidders

All three bidders now have their websites up and running.

Boston 2014
Cleveland Synergy Foundation
Metropolitan Washington Gaymes

GAY GAMES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The photo above shows some of the worldwide locations from which GAY GAMES SCHOLARSHIP recipients travelled to participate in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.


The international Federation of Gay Games and Games Cologne are working together to offer scholarships to Gay Games VIII. The application form for GGVIII scholarships is available online. Applications are being accepted through 1 August 2009.

We need your financial help to make this dream a reality for Gay Games Scholarship applicants from around the world. Your contribution will help to bring a deserving athlete or artist to Cologne next summer for this life-changing experience. Our goal is to raise USD 100,000 or more to bring as many applicants as possible to Cologne, Germany.

Take a look at our GAY GAMES SCHOLARSHIP video !

This video shows the powerful and enabling impact that Gay Games Scholarships have made. To continue this important and life-changing program, we need your help.

Please make a donation via PayPal to support the Gay Games Scholarship Program's efforts to bring people to Cologne in 2010.

Look at the smiles on these faces. They are hoping you'll support the GAY GAMES Scholarship Program!