Hlengiwe Buthelezi flies the colors of the FGG at New Orleans conference

TOGS delegate to the FGG Hlengiwe Buthelezi from Durban, South Africa participated last month at the 2012 National African-American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS held in New Orleans. Hlengiwe's club in Durban, KZN LGBT Recreation, engages in ongoing HIV/AIDS education and prevention actions for men and women, and while in New Orleans she was able to exchange with leaders from around the USA and from other countries on the need for a strong engagement to fight against AIDS in communities with particular needs.

While at the conference, Hlengiwe wore with pride her FGG clothing, and spoke of the Gay Games and the role of LGBT sport with other participants in the conference. Thanks to Hlengiwe!

Hlengiwe with a delegate from Cleveland

Report from 7th World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture

A report from Hlengiwe Buthelezi, one of the two FGG representatives at the 7th World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture:

The conference was very interesting. I learnt a lot and it was important to be there to meet the different representatives attending.

My highlight of the conference came in during the session entitled "Young People Speak", where Jackie Silva, a UNESCO Champion for Sport, was one of the panelists. During the discussion, there was a question about inclusion of people with disability in the IOC programmes, be it the regular Olympics or the Youth Olympics, rather than focusing solely on the Paralympics. I took advantage of this opening on the theme of inclusion to ask about the LGBT community. It was quite interesting to hear the positive response from the panel and to see that the people attding acted "normal", with no negative attitude. We just had a normal discussion about the topic, and the answer was they do not look at anything else from the athlete but the talent. I was intrigued.

I did have a minor incident after the discussion during lunch, when two guys, one from Tanzania and one from Uganda, told me they were "willing to help me" as I am possessed by the whites' demons. They will take me church, etc. I just laughed and tried to reason with them, but obviously they were attached to their beliefs.

I later heard the speech from Getachew Engida, Deputy Director General of UNESCO. In his speech he spoke about UNESCO doing their best on:
1. Gender Equality in sport specially in Africa   
2. Education to youth & persons with disabilities for equal opportunities
3. Opening an inter-cultural dialogues in order to learn more about different cultures and promote tolerance among different cultural groups.

I had a chance to meet him outside and had a little chat with him and give him the Federation card. We spoke on LGBT issues and the points we discussed with the Federation to prepare the conference. He was keen special about the FGG's work with London 2012.

I also had an interesting chat with Jackie Silva on LGBT issues and the Gay Games. She is a fascinating person, especially with regard to sport and LGBT issues. She said she was doing her best with UNESCO to represent LGBT athletes.

Among the other delegates I was able to discuss the Gay Games were:
Nicola Shepherd,UN Programme on Youth
S. Anantha Krishnan, UN Habitat
Klaus Schormann, International Union for the Modern Pentathlon
Debbie Lye, UK Sport/ London 2012 International Inspiration Programme Director
Gerald Guskowski, Youth Development through Football, South Africa
Jochen Farber, Munich 2018 bid committee

First photos from Durban conference

The 7th World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture, organized by the International Olympic Committee and UNESCO, took place earlier this week.

The Federation of Gay Games was represented by Hlengiwe Buthelezi, delegate of FGG member organization TOGS, and FGG Ambassador Leigh-Ann Naidoo.

Also attending the conference was Friend of the Gay Games Jochen Farber, representing the Munich 2018 Olympic bid committee.

Hlengiwe and Leigh-Ann

Jochen and Hlengiwe (r)

LEXIT becomes KZN LGBT Recreation

Hlengiwe Buthelezi, Federation of Gay Games delegate from member TOGS, 2009 FGG Volunteer of the Year, writes about a recent event in the Durban area.

We presented an aerobics marathon at the Virgin Active gym. Weather conditions changed our initial plans: we had originally planned to offer an aerobics marathon, a fashion show, music and Pansula dance, and a soccer fun match. But due to heavy rain, Petros Duma, chair of the event, negotiated with Virgin Active, where he works as an aerobics instructor, so that our event could proceed despite the rainfall.

The event went perfectly well, although cutting back on the programme decreased the number of participants. Those who came were all very excited. I was even more excited about the reception of Gay Games news from those attending, as I had absolutely no negative response from the straight people present. Instead, they all had very relevant questions for me. I have always had the impression that the general public in South Africa was rather homophobic, so this was a most pleasant surprise.

Everyone, including straight people, was interested to learn more about the Gay Games and they all took pamphlets to utilize the information. Even long after the event I still get enquiries from people who did not even attend the event.

34 runners in SPAR road race in Durban!

A message from organizer and TOGS delegate to the FGG Hlengiwe Buthelezi, following the July 26 SPAR ladies 5k/10k in Durban. Registration was made possible thanks to donations coordinated by Kate Rowe from International Front Runners and various individual FGG board members.

I am very happy. All participants send their enormous gratitude to all the people who put their efforts in making that day as brilliantly happy as it was. What an awesome/fun day we had! What raises my joy even more is the fact that some of these women who entered this race for the first time are already asking me when is the next one. Mind you these are not even runners nor sport fanatics........

Below are highlights

I had a turnout of 67 people on the day (lesbians & gays). But only 34 of us took part in the race.

We discussed:

* The regular participation in sports, including the Gay Games

* The need for us to fundraise = We need guidance in this regard

* The need to have a sport body that caters for LGBT athletes to accommodate everyone

* Acquiring sustainable sporting environment,etc, etc..........

The sports we participate in are:

Athletics

Soccer

Netball (Gays)

Volley Ball

Rugby

We are always grateful.

Hlengs

International FrontRunners support Durban runners

Thanks to IFR who have made a substantial contribution toward the registration fees of the LEXIS runners organized by Hlengiwe Buthelezi! Along with contributions organized by the FGG, the 40 runners will be able to compete. More later!

40 runners to compete in Gay Games warm-up in Durban

FGG delegate from TOGS Hlengiwe Buthelezi leads a group called LEXIT which is organizing the participation of 40 women in the SPAR ladies 10k road race in Durban, South Africa on July 26.

The women participating hope to compete in a variety of sports at Gay Games VIII, and are using this race as a team-building event that will raise visibility for their goal to come to Cologne.

Thanks to a few generous donors, the registration fees for all runners have been paid. Hlengiwe has just sent this message:

"On behalf of LEXIT and myself we would like to thank the FGG very much for funding the Spar Ladies entry fees. All the girls are very much excited about this race. I will keep you posted on things as we go along. Thank you a million times!"

It will take a good deal more to bring all these young women to Cologne. Your help is greatly appreciated! Please support the FGG scholarship program!

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