Volleyballers prepare for TIP

Yagg au TIP épisode 2: le volley
envoyé par yaggvideo. - Découvrez les dernières vidéos de sport.

Yagg continues its coverage of the TIP. Anne-Catherine says that she usually trains witht the boys, because it's more of a physical challenge, but she also trains with the girls, because it's more technical, and because she likes the socializing. The big advantage of the TIP: the opportunity to meet foreign players.

Games Cologne and FGG at TIP registration event

Representatives of the FGG, Games Cologne, and Copenhagen Outgames at the Tournoi international de Paris registration event, 29 May 2009

Many participants (including our friends from Copenhagen) took advantage of the 10 euro discount offered for registration at the TIP.

FSGL president Bruno Aussenac interviewed by Michel Royer for a documentary on LGBT sport produced by French broadcaster Canal Plus.

Gay Games VII: Be part of it!

Olympic Diver Matthew Mitcham calls for Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Kevin Boyer, FGG Spokesperson,
Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net, +1 312-588-3713

San Francisco – 29 MAY 2009

OLYMPIC diving gold medalist Matthew Mitcham

Declares support for Gay Games
Matthew Mitcham endorses Gay Games motto

"Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™".

The Federation of Gay Games has released a video on its web site (www.gaygames.com) featuring Matthew Mitcham in a 60 second message, encouraging everyone to participate in the Gay Games.

The video features gold-medal winner Mitcham diving followed by a personal, poolside message: “You don’t have to be an Olympian to participate in the Gay Games. The motto of the Federation of Gay Games is participation, inclusion, and personal best. Everyone can play in sport and culture. Why not be part of it?” A second video has been launched on the 2010 Cologne Gay Games web site (www.games-cologne.com) with Matthew Mitcham encouraging participation in the 2010 Gay Games.

Matthew Mitcham won the gold medal in men’s platform diving at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, scoring the highest marks ever in platform diving. Matthew Mitcham is 21 years old, resides in Sydney, Australia, and continues competing in diving events while preparing for the 2012 Olympics. Mitcham was one of two “Out” (openly gay) male athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

Federation of Gay Games Marketing Officer, Doug Litwin, has a very positive response to these videos. “Matthew clearly recognizes the life-changing impact that comes from participating in a large international event. Just as he made history and opened millions of eyes on the diving platform in Beijing, he realizes that the many thousands who have participated in the Gay Games have also had their eyes opened as part of their own life-changing experience. As we've been saying for years... ‘Gay Games Change The World.’”

Federation of Gay Games VP of External Affairs, Kate Rowe (Sydney), produced the video with Matthew Mitcham and can be contacted for Australian support. Sponsorship inquiries for Matthew Mitcham can also be directed through Ms. Rowe (krowe@gaygames.org). Kate commented about Mitcham. “Despite his heavy training commitments for the 2012 Olympics, Matthew wanted to give something to the global Gay and Lesbian sporting community by offering to endorse the Federation of Gay Games and the 2010 Cologne Gay Games with his appearance in this video.” Rowe added “We really appreciate Matthew’s generosity in participating freely, and found it a joy to work with him. Matthew’s enthusiasm for the Gay Games is clearly evident. In fact, he hopes to participate himself sometime in the future.”

The Federation of Gay Games would like to acknowledge Mat Webster and Dion Wilton from Metro Screen, Sydney, Australia, who also gave freely of their time to film and edit the video.

*******
The eighth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cologne, Germany from 31 July-7 August 2010. Chicago’s seventh Gay Games in July 2006 drew 11,700 participants.

For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany, visit www.games-cologne.com or phone +49 221 925 2607.

For information about or to sponsor the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.org.
Kate Rowe, (FGG VP of External Affairs) can be contacted at krowe@gaygames.org.

-30-

"Building Bridges 3" report

In March 2009, the FGG participated in the "Building Bridges 3" conference organized by Homosport NL, in conjunction with the EGLSF annual general assembly.

Here is the report from that conference.

Powerpoints from the various sessions can be downloaded here.

TIP starts tomorrow: last-minute look at Paris Aquatique synchronized swimmers as they train

A video from Yagg, the media partner of the TIP, where you'll find more info on this video:

Yagg au TIP, épisode 1: natation synchronisée
par yaggvideo

For non-Francophones, some highlights: a woman swimmer explains that competing in mixed pairs offers more artistic opportunities than competing in same-sex pairs. An obstacle to the growth of men's synchronized swimming is the refusal of FINA and the IOC to accept male synchronized swimmers. Many national federations do accept them, and TIP synchronized swimming for men, women, and mixed groups, will be judged by officials from the French national swimming federation.

La soirée TIP, ça déménage !

The TIP party this Saturday has had a last-minute change in venue. Instead of Club Med World, it will take place at the fabulous Mix Club, at Montparnasse in the 15th (24 rue de l'Arrivée, Métro Montparnasse-Bienvenue).

Gay referee to continue legal battle

From Hurriyet Daily News:

ISTANBUL - After days of debate on his future career in football, the referee who had to quit his job due to his sexual orientation appeared on television Saturday and revealed his name for the first time.

Dinçdağ was forced to leave his job because he had been excused from his compulsory military service on account of his homosexuality, which was documented in a medical report. According to the sport's regulations, anyone who fails to complete his military service for health reasons is unfit to perform as a referee.

"Now a really difficult period has started for my family, but it has always been difficult for me," said Dinçdağ, 33, who appealed to colleagues who have been discriminated against as he was.

"Please stand tall against the unfairness against you, whenever something wrong is happening," he said. "Say that it is wrong. Say what is right for you."

Annual Meeting 2009 website launched, mystery revealed!

It's the Wolkenburg center, home of the FGG 2009 Annual Meeting. More information about the Annual Meeting and Gay Games IX site selection here.

The mystery will soon be revealed!

Real Men DO Participate in Synchronized Swimming

A press release from the Federation of Gay Games:

San Francisco – 20 MAY 2009 - Recent written articles [see Der Spiegel] and radio interviews about men and synchronized swimming have given the indication that there are no male synchronized swimmers in international competitions. This is not accurate: men compete in synchronized swimming at major events such as the quadrennial Gay Games events and the IGLA (International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics) annual competition. For over 25 years, LGBT sport has welcomed all people to participate, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

The Federation of Gay Games is the organizing body that selects the host Gay Games city and manages the strategic planning of future Gay Games events. The Gay Games is a well-established international competition, which began in 1982, and currently has over 12,000 participants. The eighth edition of the Gay Games will take place in Cologne, Germany, in 2010.

The Gay Games has led the way before in gender equality in sport, with same sex pair’s competitions in figure skating and bodybuilding. In addition, women began competing in Gay Games wrestling events well before women's wrestling became an Olympic sport. And of course, having mixed gender teams in synchronized swimming has never been an issue for the Gay Games.

LGBT aquatics, including synchronized swimming, are organized by IGLA, a member of the FGG. Since 2002 at the Gay Games VI in Sydney, Australia, IGLA has been the governing body responsible for sanctioning the rules for swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and diving at the Gay Games, ensuring the highest quality aquatic events possible.

For a complete list of all Gay Games synchronized swimming medalists during the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, including 13 male competitors, visit the Gay Games Chicago website.

UK national LGBT sports summit

The 2nd National Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Sports Summit is to be held in Brighton on 13 June 2009. The event welcomes representatives of LGBT sports organisations, as well as representatives from National Governing Bodies, to set the national agenda for LGBT sports development in the UK.

The first National LGBT Sports Summit [report], which was held in 2008 and was attended by over fifty delegates, launched a Steering Group for a National Network of LGBT sports organisations. It is this Steering Group, which is delivering the 2009 Summit with the support of Pride Sports; the UK’s only LGBT Sports Development organisation (www.pridesports.org).

Louise Englefield, Director of Pride Sports says: “The Summit provides a unique opportunity for National Governing Bodies to engage directly with the LGBT sports community. As the UK’s representative on the board of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF), I feel it is imperative that we have a robust UK strategy that contributes meaningfully to the global LGBT sports development agenda.”

This year, the Summit will be an Open Space Event, bringing together LGBT and mainstream sports organisers from around the UK to create an interesting and productive, action-oriented event. 'Open Space' empowers and challenges every participant to engage in setting the agenda for the summit and encourages lively and engaging dialogues on subjects delegates themselves identify as important.

Feedback from last year’s Summit includes the following:


Sarah Williams, Equality and Diversity manager from the Rugby Football League: “It was an opportunity to network with other NGBs and to hear directly from the LGB community about their needs, barriers to participation and how we can all work together.”


Elias Devries, Tennis London (organisers of the UK’s largest LGBT tennis tournament): "It was inspirational being around my fellow sports groups and the summit got us all thinking about how best to share resources and work together. Assuming there is a major follow up of action points, it will make a big difference for LGBT sports in this country"

The Summit is free to all delegates, but places are limited. To register your interest and reserve a place, please email summit@pridesports.org.

NAGVA volleyball championships

First pics of Games Cologne/FGG booth at NAGVA!

iPRiDE gay pride parade - a part of Tel Aviv’s 100th anniversary celebrations

Through ILGA, the Federation of Gay Games is in communication with StandWithUs - an international, non-profit organization that promotes a better understanding of Israel, through examination of diverse issues. iPRiDE is an Israeli project, under the auspices of StandWithUs, that gives Israeli students the opportunity to be active in areas that are close to their hearts, and to promote social activism on various levels.

As part of Tel Aviv’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the annual gay pride parade is the main event of Tel Aviv’s “pride month”. iPRiDE will take place between June 10th and June 14th, 2009. During that time participants will have the opportunity to meet the most influential opinion shapers in the Israeli GLBT community, including representatives of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli gay cultural icons, representatives of the legal system, and others. I fondly remember picking up a handsome young hitchhiker who was a member of the IDF when I was in Israel. But for his Uzi, some sparks would certainly have flown.

For more details and registration please visit iPRiDE. Follow iPRiDE on Twitter. Or you can contact Ohad Salmon with any questions: ohads@ipride-tlv.org. We wish them a very happy iPRiDE!

Details on OurGroup panel discussion at Team Philly Sports Week

Thanks to FGG member Team Philadelphia for offering this event!

If you're in or near Philadelphia, come support these young athletes.

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 studentathletes 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.

Date: June 5, 2009
Time: 7-9 PM
Event Title: Homophobia in Sports Panel Discussion
Description: Our Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for 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.
Location: Carriage House, 3907 Spruce Street, Philadelphia
Cost: FREE
Contact: Adelina Santiago

Video on homophobia in football

Un carton rouge contre l'homophobie
par mairiedeparis

For non Francophones, "Olivier has a secret", only a few people know, he would be afraid of their reaction, etc.... he doesn't have words to talk about it. And Olivier starts screaming homophobic slurs at the football match. What's his secret? He's a homophobe. "Call a foul on homophobia."

NAGVA volleyball championships: onsite registration opens in one day!

The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) and the Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA) are proud to present NAGVA Championships 2009! CMSA boasts 3100 Members, largest LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) multi-sport organization in the Midwest.

On-site registration will be begin May 21 and play will run from May 22-24, 2009. The tournament committee is hard at work making sure this is the best Championship possible. We are expecting to host over 110 teams with it’s return to the city of Chicago.

We would like to thank our tournament sponsors, without their support this tournament would not be possible. [Games Cologne and the FGG are a gold-level sponsor.]

NAGVA Championships website

Still time to buy discount tickets for TIP Party!

NY Times portrait of Gotham Knights rugby player.

From the NY Times,audio slide show about being the straight guy on the gay rugby team (NYC Gotham Knights). (h/t to Outsports)

Video from last year's Come Together Cup in Cologne

Even if you don't speak German, you'll enjoy the atmosphere in this video, and will be able to see Sportpark Muengersdorf and the RheinEnergie Stadium, the main venue for Gay Games VIII sports and ceremonies. The next Come Together Cup will take place in Cologne on 11 June and in Berlin on 14 June.

Mystery ball revealed...

The official ball of the 2009 NAGVA annual championships.

French Minister of Sport and Mayor of Paris patrons of TIP

FGG member organization FSGL is pleased to announce that its annual tournament, the Tournoi international de Paris (TIP), will be held under the patronage of Ms. Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, minister of health and sport, and of Mr. Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris.

As the official sponsors of the TIP with Games Cologne, the FGG is proud of the work done by the FSGL to prepare for this event and to obtain these high-profile endorsements of individuals who are truly committed to the cause of inclusion and the fight against homophobia. More information about the TIP at: www.paris-tournement.org.

In her letter to the TIP team, Ms. Bachelot states:
"You know how dear the cause of sport is to me. You are aware of my fight agains all forms of discrimination. This gives me two reasons to associate myself with this major multisport tournament, which, for the last six years, has actively contributed in our society to combat the prejudices of another age, and to bring together our fellow citizens, beyond their differences. What better bulwark than sport to fight against the exclusion and discrimination of which homosexual men and women are still all too often the victim in the 21st century?"

She continues by mentioning several projects involving LGBT sport: the financing of a documentary that followed synchronized swimmers from FSLG and IGLA member club Paris Aquatique as they prepared for and competed in the Eurogames, or a series of short films combating homophobia among young people that will be broadcast on Canal Plus, among which, a film set in the world of sports.

As for the mayor, in his letter he states:
"This celebration of the values of sport is the opportunity to admire and to encourage athletes who carry the banner of loyalty, solidarity, achievement, and above all, fraternity. Paris shares and defends these values, notably by an ongoing struggle against all forms of discrimination, and for a society based on equal rights. With this competition, the FSGL contributes to the vitality of Paris, by organizing one of the major worldwide LGBT sporting events.

"In a matter of a few year, the FSGL, born from a group created in 1986 in Paris, has brought together 26 sports associations, 35 sports, and 3000 members, creating a powerful movement that by means of its work and its athletic performances has acquired recognition and respect. I recall our mobilization on behalf of several of these clubs who at times encountered a certain hostility during the 1990s. The TIP is now an essential and warm encounter, awaited by the public and part of the sports calendar of national sports federations. Our capital is thus happy to be the host of the event, a matter of months before the next Gay Games, which will take place for the second time in Europe."

TIP promo video

PRIDE House at 2010 Winter Olympics

GayWhister.com has announced they will have a special place for LGBT Olympic athletes at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, BC, Canada. They create a PRIDE House at the lovely Pan Pacific Whister Village Centre Hotel.

http://www.gaywhistler.com/ is the company that produces the Winter Pride events at Whistler each year. Winter Pride at Whistler schedule was moved to March 1-8, 2010 due to the Winter Olympics. Whistler Winter Pride brings LGBT skiers, snowboarders, and party crowds from all over the world. Whistler, BC Canada is a very gay friendly community year round.

Click HERE to read the full OutSports.com article by Jim Buzinski.

Click HERE for a Vancouver Sun article.

Help Promote Cologne 2010

Help Promote Cologne 2010

Be Part of It!

If you are a volunteer or organizer of a sports tournament, pride festival, cultural event or LGBT benefit, we need your help in reaching potential Gay Games VIII attendees. Cologne 2010 can send you promotional materials to include in registration kits, place on registration tables, or have at a festival or benefit exhibit. We will mail items to your group free of charge.

Click HERE to get your supplies!

What is the meaning of this ball?

IGLFA 2009 Auction & Wine Tasting Fundraiser

One month to Come Together Cup in Cologne!

Mystery building...

Hint: this is the courtyard of the mystery building.

FGG sends wishes for success to Outgames Copenhagen

The following message has been approved by the FGG Board of Directors and sent today to the Outgames Copenhagen organization.

11 May 2009

TO: Outgames Copenhagen

On behalf of the international Federation of Gay Games, we would like to send our very best wishes to the entire team of Outgames Copenhagen.

With Copenhagen being such a beautiful city, we are sure that participants from around the globe will have a wonderful experience. We wish you every success with the sport and culture programmes and, also, with the Human Rights Conference.

In fact, we look forward to organising the conference session entitled "The Future of LGBT Sport and Culture" and invite everyone to attend. This session is a continuation of discussions held over the past several months, most recently in The Hague, Netherlands, in March of this year, and will continue through Gay Games VIII 2010 in Cologne, where we hope to see you all.

Best of luck.

With Kind Regards,

Emy Ritt and Kurt Dahl
FGG Co-Presidents, on behalf of the FGG Board of Directors

FGG Evolution Since 2004: Increased Activity with External Partners

To continue the presentation of the changes in the FGG since 2004, the FGG has adopted a policy of actively pursuing partnerships and relationships with other organizations. Some contacts have already born fruit, while others are in early stages.

• European Gay & Lesbian Sports Federation
• Amnesty International
• Human Rights Campaign
• International Olympic Committee
• French Ministry of Health & Sport
• World Anti-Doping Association
• United Nations
• International Lesbian & Gay Association
• General Association of International Sports Federations
• World Masters Games
• Copenhagen LGBT Human Rights Conference
• Women’s Sports Foundation
• Out and Equal