Featured events


7-9 September 2012
Brussels Games
Brussels

Brussels Gay Sports will offer a weekend of fun and fairplay in the capital of Europe, with volleyball, swimming, badminton, and tennis, as well as fitness and hiking.

Learn more HERE.
26-28 October 2012
QueergamesBern
Bern, Switzerland

The success of the first edition of the QueergamesBern proved the need for an LGBT multisport event in Switzerland. This year will be even bigger, with badminton, bowling, running, walking, floorball.

Learn more HERE.
17-20 January 2013
Sin City Shootout
Las Vegas
The 7th Sin City Shootout will feature softball, ice hockey, tennis, wrestling, basketball, dodgeball, bodybuilding and basketball.

Learn more HERE.

13-16 June 2013
IGLFA Euro Cup
Dublin
After this year's edition in Budapest at the EuroGames, the IGLFA Euro Cup heads to Dublin for 2013, hosted by the Dublin Devils and the Dublin Phoenix Tigers.

Learn more HERE.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Steve Buckley on the meaning of Christmas for the family of Brendan Burke

Sports writer Steve Buckley looks at the meaning of Christmas for the family of Brendan Burke, who came out to them at Christmas 2007 (h/t Wide Rights):

This is how Kerry Burke reacted when her son Brendan told her he was gay: She thought about being a grandmother.

It was December 17, 2007, right before Christmas, at the family home in Canton. Brendan, then 19 years old and a student at Miami University in Ohio, stumbled over the words at first, or maybe he was merely testing the waters when he babbled something about how he might be gay. But he quickly steadied himself, and the words that followed were clear and strong: “I’m gay,” he told his mom.

Kerry Burke, who had been mulling this possibility from the time Brendan was in the third grade, hugged her son and then said, “I always thought you’d make a great father. And I still think you’re going to be a great father.”

A few days later, this is how Patrick Burke reacted when his younger brother Brendan told him he was gay: He hugged him, told him he loved him and that nothing has changed.

And then, to prove nothing has changed, Patrick Burke busted his kid brother’s chops.

“Now,” he said, “I know why you never hung up that Patriots [team stats] cheerleaders poster I got for you.”

This is how Ed and Elaine Gilmore reacted when their grandson, Brendan Burke, told them he was gay: They financed a pizza party.

Thinking that telling his grandparents might be his most difficult coming-out errand, Brendan had instructed his mom to wait 30 minutes and then join them. He then headed next door to his grandparents’ house.

When Kerry arrived as scheduled and saw Brendan sitting at the table, having a casual conversation with his grandparents, she assumed her son hadn’t gotten around to making his announcement yet and so made up a lie about needing to borrow something from the kitchen.

“We’re all set,” Brendan told his mom. “I told them.”

It had been so easy. He said to his grandparents what he had to say, and Ed and Elaine smiled. Ed then said, “OK, Brendan, you’re a good kid. You keeping up with your lessons?”

Lessons. Ed Gilmore was raised in Dorchester and attended Grover Cleveland Elementary School. In his neighborhood, and in his time, you didn’t do homework. You kept up with your lessons.

“Yes, I am, Grampy,” came the reply.

Ed Gilmore then reached into his wallet and pulled out a bill. He slid it into his grandson’s hand and said, “Can you get some pizza for you and your friends for $20 out there in Ohio?”

Keep reading HERE.

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