I was among over 400 women who attended the opening ceremony for the 5th International Working Group on Women and Sport conference, held at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre in Sydney.
The event began with a 'welcome to country' dance by a local indigenous group. This was followed by the opening speech by the Governor General of Australia Quentin Bryce, Australia's first ever female Governor General. Kate Ellis, the Australian Federal Minister for Sport, used the occasion to launch the new federal government strategy for women in sport.
The keynote address was given by Ugandan Rachel Mayanja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and special advisor on gender issues and the advancement of women. I noted that while she discussed various forms of discrimination involving women, she neglected to mention sexual orientation.
There was a Q&A session afterwards, during which I asked Ms Mayanja if the UN was going to take up the issues of sexuality in sport.
The answer given was diplomatic: she said that it was up to the organisations the UN represents to start the discussion. In other words: we follow, we don't lead!
This was followed by six of the IWG ambassadors taking to the stage. This includes Cathy Freeman who won the gold medal for the 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics.
At the cocktail party afterwards, many women approached me to congratulate me on raising the issue of sexual orientation, and hopefully encouraging others to engage in a conversation over the next three days. Lesbian and gay-friendly participants will be meeting at an informal lunchtime gathering.
In a short time I've met women from English volleyball; a consultant to NGOs; Anne Gripper, recently with the UCI anti-doping body; Amanda Van Santen from the English Royal Yachting association; Jane Stangi, a lecturer in the Department of Exercise and Sport Studies at the famous Smith College, USA; the national referee manager from The FA group in the UK.
The confernece proper starts tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to a great day!
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