Featured events
| 7-9 September 2012 Brussels Games Brussels  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  Learn more HERE. | 13-16 June 2013 IGLFA Euro Cup Dublin  Learn more HERE. |
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Anton Hysén: What a difference a day makes
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Swedish football player comes out
In an interview for Swedish football magazine Offside, Anton Hysén says he is gay. He is a pioneer. There have been several gay footballers before him, but they have all considered it impossible to be openly gay in professional football. Anton Hysén is the first professional footballer in Sweden to come out.
Local and national government leaders praise Sheffield Eagles support for the fight against homophobia
SHEFFIELD EAGLES v WIDNES VIKINGS
Sunday 13th March 2011, Bramall Lane, Sheffield
Sheffield Eagles’ decision to use their Co-operative Championship game against Widnes Vikings to take a stand against homophobia in sport has won the backing of two Government Ministers and the Leader of Sheffield City Council.
On Sunday 13 March at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, the Eagles will become the first professional sports team in the UK to proudly wear a kit bearing an anti-homophobia slogan. In partnership with LGBT History Month, Pride Sports and the RFL, the Eagles will play in a specially commissioned kit bearing the words “Homophobia: Tackle It!”.
The Eagles stance – a sporting first – has been widely praised, most notably by Sports & Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson MP and Equalities Minister Lynn Featherstone MP.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games first organization to reach highest standard in sports equality
London 2012 have been confirmed as the first organisation to achieve the Advanced Equality Standard for Sport.
The Organising Committee began their Diversity Week with the award, presented by Liz Nicholl, the chief executive of UK Sport, to London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton.
Nicholl told their 'Everyone's 2012' conference: "LOCOG are to be congratulated. They have shown commitment to embedding equality throughout the organisation, which will prove fundamental to making London 2012 a truly inclusive Games. This is also an important milestone in the history of the Equality Standard for Sport. UK Sport is on the journey to achieving this, and we will do what we can to support all UK Sport funded organisations, including every Olympic and Paralympic sport, to reach this impressive standard."
The Equality Standard for Sport has been developed in partnership by UK Sport and the Home Country Sports Councils in order to enable sports organisations to widen access and reduce inequalities in sport for under-represented groups. Created in 2004, it is based around organisation development and service development, with four levels of achievement; foundation, preliminary, intermediate and advanced.
Deighton said: "We want to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change and ensure that everyone feels they can be part of London 2012. "We want to leave a legacy of greater inclusion and understanding of diversity and the Equality Standard for Sport has been instrumental in helping us achieve this. I'm thrilled that we have achieved the Advanced Level and that we are contributing to a sporting environment built on equality and inclusion."
11 June 2011 / The gay-sportiest day of the year
We already know that at least four major events will be taking place that day.
In Manchester, from 10-12 June, the Pride Games, which this year offer men's and women's football, badminton, women's swim, squash, women's basketball, 10km run, and of course the infamous bell boat regatta.
In Paris, from 10-13 June, the TIP Paris International Tournament will offer 18 sports, including for the first time DanceSport.
In Rome, from 10-12 June, the AquaRomae swimming tournament, in the context of EuroPride 2011.
In Denver, from 11-12 June, the Team Colorado SportsFest, in partnership with the Denver LGBT Cente.
En français: Report
Ce jour, 8 mars 2011, je participe à la soirée organisée à l'Hôtel de Ville de Lyon par Thérèse Rabatel, adjointe à l'égalité des femmes, aux temps de la ville et aux handicaps, dans le cadre de la Journée Internationale pour le Droit des Femmes.
Cette année, le thème choisi pour réfléchir à cette question du Droit des femmes est celui du sport, activité futile et anodine... en apparence tout au moins. Car il importe de rappeler que jusqu'à une période très récente, les femmes n'avaient pas le droit de pratiquer les sports (interdiction réglementaire).
La pratique des sports constitue ainsi un révélateur des inégalités entre les femmes et les hommes, tant au plan historique que sociologique ou économique.
Il suffit d'observer les inégalités d'accès à cette pratique de loisir pour s'en convaincre. Il suffit, de même, de constater que le sport professionnel est sans doute le dernier lieu dans lequel – pour un travail égal – l'existence d'écarts de salaires hallucinants entre celui des hommes et celui des femmes semble ne pas poser de problème.
International Women's Day; using sport to combat violence against women and girls
A message from Women Win:
Happy 100th IWD! In celebration, we at Women Win are taking this opportunity to show how sport is being used as a tool to address the greatest barrier to women's development: gender based violence.
This video is a sneak preview of the work that we are doing on behalf of the 1 billion girls and women have or will experience gender based violence in their lifetime.
Addressing gender-based violence through sport from WomenWin on Vimeo.
Gender-based violence is a major public health and human rights problem throughout the world. This type of violence often happens behind closed doors. Too often, cultural norms and legal systems treat violence against women as a private family matter or a normal part of family life. A girl, regardless of age, may fear attacks at home, on the streets and even at school.
A girl needs a safe space to discuss experiences, violations and fears, and receive validation that her fears are okay. Furthermore, a girl needs to understand her legal rights. She also needs a place where she can learn confidence that will help her avoid becoming a victim of gender-based violence. A team and trusted coaches can provide that environment.
Although the concept of using sport as a strategy to help empower girls and women is gaining international momentum, there is a lack of practical information about how to actually do it. Successful girls’ sports programmes are not built by simply inviting girls to participate in existing boys’ teams or programmes. Girls face gender-specific and institutionalized barriers to participation, communicate differently and have unique motivations and expectations of their sporting experience. Sustainable programmes must be led by people who understand and address the key challenges facing girls and their families.
In an effort to begin this conversation of how to best do this work, we've published the first International Guide for Designing Sport Programmes for Girls, in collaboration with 35 partner organizations and experts. We are currently in the process of building an interactive online space for this Guide that will allow for collaborative authoring and sharing of information throughout social networks.
We welcome you to join the movement at GirlSportGuides.org!
Happy 100th IWD! In celebration, we at Women Win are taking this opportunity to show how sport is being used as a tool to address the greatest barrier to women's development: gender based violence.
This video is a sneak preview of the work that we are doing on behalf of the 1 billion girls and women have or will experience gender based violence in their lifetime.
Addressing gender-based violence through sport from WomenWin on Vimeo.
Gender-based violence is a major public health and human rights problem throughout the world. This type of violence often happens behind closed doors. Too often, cultural norms and legal systems treat violence against women as a private family matter or a normal part of family life. A girl, regardless of age, may fear attacks at home, on the streets and even at school.
A girl needs a safe space to discuss experiences, violations and fears, and receive validation that her fears are okay. Furthermore, a girl needs to understand her legal rights. She also needs a place where she can learn confidence that will help her avoid becoming a victim of gender-based violence. A team and trusted coaches can provide that environment.
Although the concept of using sport as a strategy to help empower girls and women is gaining international momentum, there is a lack of practical information about how to actually do it. Successful girls’ sports programmes are not built by simply inviting girls to participate in existing boys’ teams or programmes. Girls face gender-specific and institutionalized barriers to participation, communicate differently and have unique motivations and expectations of their sporting experience. Sustainable programmes must be led by people who understand and address the key challenges facing girls and their families.
In an effort to begin this conversation of how to best do this work, we've published the first International Guide for Designing Sport Programmes for Girls, in collaboration with 35 partner organizations and experts. We are currently in the process of building an interactive online space for this Guide that will allow for collaborative authoring and sharing of information throughout social networks.
We welcome you to join the movement at GirlSportGuides.org!
Monday, March 7, 2011
International Women's Day: United against violence against women and girls
Update: the number of signatures is now over 150,000! Thanks to all who have signed.
As of publication of this post, the Change.org petition against "corrective rape" launched by our friend Ndumie Funda of Capetown's Luleki Sizwe has 149,454 signatures. Let's celebrate International Women's Day by celebrating the cause of these brave women and making sure that their petition goes well over 150,000 signatures!
We are happy to note that the South African minister of justice, after treating the demands made in this petition with contempt, has finally agreed to meet with activists. Let's make sure that when this meeting takes place on 14 March, the minister is sure to know that the world continues to stand with the women of South Africa.
Sign HERE.
GayCities: A look back at 7 August 2010
Update on fired gay Turkish football referee: lawsuit has begun
Turkey’s first openly gay referee says he will not stop his legal battle against the national football’s governing body for blocking him from his profession as a match official.
Former football referee Halil İbrahim Dinçdağ first became known to the public in 2008, when it emerged that the Turkish Football Federation, or the TFF, stripped him of his rights to officiate matches.
Dinçdağ was then 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.
The 35-year-old filed a criminal complaint against the Turkish Football Federation and sought compensations up to 110,000 Turkish liras for damages.
The case started last Tuesday in Istanbul and the second hearing will be in May.
Continue reading HERE.
27 May 2011 / United States Gay Open tennis tournament in San Francisco
Memorial Weekend, May 27-30, 2011
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
It began with one person, one mind, one vision.
In 1981, there was one idea to organize an openly gay tennis tournament, in which individuals could freely and proudly participate in the sport they love, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
Now, thirty years later, this one idea by Les Balmain has blossomed into an international tennis tournament, which has spread its mission and belief to the forty gay and lesbian tennis clubs around the world that comprise the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance.
With that same love and pride, the 2011 United States Gay Open returns to its birthplace, Golden Gate Park. I am honored to be the Tournament Director of this year's USGO and to take it beyond 30 years of dedication and inspiration.
Find out more about USGO HERE.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
GayCities: A look back at 5 August 2010
Once again, the teams from Paris Aquatique are the star attractions of synchronized swimming. Why the International Swimming Federation refuses to allow men to compete remains a mystery. Perhaps we should just squeeze them into the packed spectator gallery of the pool where the event is held here in Cologne. There’s no doubt minds would be swayed. They are just that good. Last year at the Outgames the French girls won gold and the guys silver . Who will it be this time?
Read in full HERE.
Columbus Gay Men's Chorus sings "It Gets Better"
Here's another video for the "It Gets Better" project produced by a group from FGG-member GALA Choruses. Here, the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus.Visit our "It Gets Better" page HERE.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
GayCities: A look back at 5 August 2010
Soccer is played in a magnificent sports park here on the outskirts of the city. Many people are commenting about how good the venue is, not least because of its accessibility by efficient German trams. And soccer’s popularity here is in stark contrast to the often massive homophobia prevalent in the sport–ask anyone to name an out pro player and they can’t. Yet the teams here are play at a very high level–how about this headstand shot for skill. He can throw the ball in with a running headstand.
Read in full HERE.
La regina Elisabetta II rende onore al calcio gay inglese
La regina d’Inghilterra ha deciso di premiare l’ex calciatore professionista Aslie Pitter per il suo costante impegno nell’affermazione dei diritti lgbt in Gran Bretagna e per la sua tenace lotta all’omofobia che da sempre lo contraddistinguono. Il 50enne Pitter ha fondato oltre 20 anni fa la Stonewall FC, la prima squadra gay di football del Regno Unito che, nel giro di due decadi, è diventato il club calcistico composto da giocatori omosessuali più famoso e di successo del mondo. Elisabetta II ha riconosciuto quindi il lavoro fatto per aiutare ad integrare la comunità arcobaleno inglese grazie allo sport inserendo l’attivista nero nella prestigiosa “New Year Honours List”.
Pitter, che ancora oggi gioca nel team da lui stesso fondato, ha dichiarato di essere onorato dell’investitura reale: “E’ un riconoscimento anche per tutti quelli del club, stiamo facendo un’azione buona e aiutiamo le persone a usare al meglio il proprio potenziale”. Chissà cosa staranno pensando tutti quei calciatori gay che ancora oggi sono costretti a nascondersi, e a sposare donne che spesso non amano, per mantenere il proprio posto di lavoro e non scalfire l’immagine, spesso imperfetta, di uno sport ‘maschile’.
Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus sings "It Gets Better"
Here are some videos for the "It Gets Better" project produced by groups from FGG-member GALA Choruses. Here is the New York Gay Men's Chorus.Visit our "It Gets Better" page HERE.
Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus:
EGLSF meeting opens with presentation of members' best practices
One of the actions that Ana Valencia presented, designed to promote women's participation in sport is Donasports which is taking place just two weeks from now. This will be the second edition of the weekend of sports by women, for women, to engage women in sport, in the sections of the club, and in the leadership of the organization. Last year's inaugural event resulted in an increase in women's registration of as much as 10%, a great achievement in difficult economic times.
More info on the AGA HERE.
MOre info on Donasport HERE.
Friday, March 4, 2011
GayCities: A look back at 2 August 2010
We got some nice, very official, recognition today. The US Ambassador to Germany, Philip D. Murphy, also paid a visit to the pool, something that would NOT have happened under the previous American administration. Here he shares a joke with a swimmer from Seattle. The ambassador congratulated everyone for such a fantastic event, saying he was having a great time and that he intended to visit all the venues during the week.
Read in full HERE.
Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus sings "It Gets Better"
Here are some videos for the "It Gets Better" project produced by groups from FGG-member GALA Choruses. Here is the New York Gay Men's Chorus.Visit our "It Gets Better" page HERE.
Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus:
Thursday, March 3, 2011
10 Apr 2011 / In italiano: II Edizione torneo di calcio "Scendi in Campo Contro L’Omofobia
GayCities: A look back at 1 August 2010
Imagine signing up at the last minute to do a triathlon for the first time in your life: Swim, bike and run, all in a single competition. Imagine being a good swimmer, yet needing buy a carbon-fibre racing bike for $2,000. And training for the run just a couple of times just one week before the Games. And then taking the gold.
Well, that’s exactly what happened to 40-year old Carsten (pictured, right, sans shirt) of Copenhagen, who won the 40-44 age group in the sprint distance. He called himself a “triathlon virgin.” Here he is pictured with team-mate Ludo who also won a gold
Keep reading HERE.
Orange County's Men Alive sing "It Gets Better"
Here are some videos for the "It Gets Better" project produced by groups from FGG-member GALA Choruses. Here is the New York Gay Men's Chorus.Visit our "It Gets Better" page HERE.
Orange County's Men Alive:
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
GayCities: A look back at 1 August 2010
 |
| John Amaechi enters with Team Manchester |
The parade of athletes at opening ceremony was fun, colorful and diverse–just as any gay sporting event. The difference here in Cologne was that the VIP opening the Games was not only the Foreign Minister and number two in the German government, but also [one] of us!
Openly gay Guido Westerwelle gave an excellent speech telling everyone that “you are a role model for a society, and everyone can be part of – let us all be part of it!” And mentioning the countries with the death penalty for being gay got him a very big round of applause when he said “no religion can ever justify murder”.
Keep reading HERE.
Martina Navratilova and John Amaechi on Stephen Davies coming out
Gay Games Ambassador John Amaechi and Martina Navratilova are interviewed on CNN International. Navratilova hits on one of the key aspects of Davies coming out: "With each coming out it becomes easier for the next one, and it of course helps the young kids growing up."
Brian Sims on straight teammates' support for athletes coming out
Just over 10 years ago, I had the honor of coming out to my college football teammates, and it was an honor. In just a few short days and weeks, a group of men and athletes that I considered family, reminded me why I became an athlete and ultimately why athletics is about sportsmanship and not always just about winning. Just as importantly, I learned that a genuine commitment to sportsmanship, above all else, can be one of the most effective paths to winning.
In the last few days, Professional English Cricketer, Steven Davies has apparently been going through a similar time in his life. Davies’ decision to come out of the closet, to his teammates and to his fans, is a truly historic and courageous act. By coming out, he joins an incredibly small group of professional athletes that have done so, especially while still playing.
To be clear though, just as his family and friends have supported him for year, Davies’ teammates have already given every indication that they’ll also be supporting him this season, and as the rest of his career unfolds. You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that!
Former FGG co-president Brent Minor to receive Washington, DC volunteer award
I am very honored to have been chosen to receive the 2011 Paul Ludeman Volunteer of the Year Award from the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and will be given this award at their Annual Dinner on Friday, April 8. I hope you can join me that night for the reception, dinner and awards ceremony.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.caglcc.org.
FIFA proud of its achievements in fight against racism, while continuing to promote homophobia, sexism, and antisemitism
Football is universally [sic] and deservedly [sic] known as ‘the beautiful game’. But even the most beautiful of things have ugly defects, and football, which is no exception, has racism.
Albeit a serious problem, it is one on the decline - in no small part due to the Buenos Aires Resolution, which was passed by the Extraordinary Congress of FIFA on 7 July 2001. To mark its tenth anniversary, FIFA.com will begin publishing interviews on racism and discrimination in football with a series of personalities, starting with Anthony Baffoe. He played international football for African giants Ghana and has helped FIFA in the enduring fight against racism.
FIFA had, of course, been committed to the cause long before then. “FIFA took the strongest stand possible in the fight against racism by expelling apartheid South Africa in 1961 and readmitting them [in 1991] after the release of Nelson Mandela,” explained Tokyo Sexwale, the High Commissioner to the organisation’s 'Say no to Racism' campaign.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Compete Magazine and CampusPride to rank US university sports programs on LGBT-inclusivity
From CampusPride.org:
Official Call for Nominations announced today to profile LGBT progressive NCAA or NJCA collegiate athletic programs at colleges and universities across the country.
Nobody knows the score when it comes to collegiate athletic programs and where they stand on inclusion and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) players, coaches and staff. For the first-time ever, Campus Pride, in partnership with Compete Magazine, plans to find out who the winners are for LGBT-inclusiveness in college sports -- and, ultimately, whether out LGBT athletes, coaches and staff are welcome.
Today Campus Pride launches its newly formed “Out to Play Project” which is designed to address anti-LGBT slurs, bias and conduct in college sports. As part of the national project, both Compete Magazine and Campus Pride will spend from March until June reviewing nominations of colleges and universities for the “Out To Play List.” The LGBT-friendly listing will be published in a special edition of Compete Magazine and online at CampusPride.org profiling the “Best” in LGBT-inclusivity and college sports.
The official call for nominations starts today, March 1. To be eligible, the athletic program must be part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II and III, or the National Junior College Athletic Association. Former or current out LGBT and ally athletes, coaches, fans and, or campus staff are encouraged to nominate a college or university. Anyone can nominate a LGBT-friendly college athletic program online at www.campuspride.org/outtoplay.
“Anti-LGBT attitudes and behaviors are prevalent, if not pervasive, in the world of sports. ’Out To Play’ can change all that – by starting in college and setting the standard. The ‘Best of the Best’ listing will highlight college athletic programs that have demonstrated LGBT-inclusion in policy and practice,” said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride. “If we know the score, everyone will be motivated to play harder – even those farthest behind.”
Windmeyer, also the author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, will lead the nomination review team which will partly consist of select individuals who are current and former out LGBT athletes as well as researchers in the field of higher education. Once nominations have been received, the review team will contact college sports program to undergo a further review. The review will consist of a series of LGBT-inclusive athletic questions as well as an assessment of the entire campus community through Campus Pride’s LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index (www.campusclimateindex.org).
LGBT sports organizations invited to meet FGG and GLISA AsiaPacific in Wellington
The meeting will be a great opportunity to ask questions of GLISA-AP and FGG about how we are working together and to generate ideas together for our region.
It will also be a great way to meet other people involved in sport, culture and human rights in the Asia Pacific.
Please email Peter Sagar at pstarfuture@gmail.com if you are able to come along.
The meeting details are:
Date: Saturday 12 March 2011
Time: 15:00 - 16:00 (Opening Ceremony commences 16:30)
Location: Mojo Café, 18A Bond Street
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