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.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Women and Sport conference: opening day

A report from FGG VP External Affairs Kate Rowe:

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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