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.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

German captain Lahm warns gays against coming out


Via AFP:

German captain Lahm warns gays against coming out

Germany captain and Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm has advised gay professional footballers against outing themselves, in an interview with German magazine Bunte.

"For someone who does, it would be very difficult," the 27-year-old defender said.

"An openly gay footballer would be exposed to abusive comments."

But Lahm insists he would feel comfortable playing alongside a gay teammate. "I have no problems with homosexuals whatsoever," he insisted.

Lahm's comments are likely to land him in hot water with the German Football Federation (DFB) -- especially president Theo Zwanziger who has called for gay footballers to come out and promised the federation's help.

"I would find it brave and would welcome it if a football player would come out," Zwanziger said in March. "He would had the support of the DFB and from me."

Lahm's sentiments are not shared by some of his national team-mates.Last November, Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez gave an interview -- also to Bunte -- where he urged gay footballers to come out of the closet.

"They would play as if they had been liberated. Being gay should no longer be a taboo topic," said Gomez, the German league's top-scorer last season.

He added that there were plenty of role models in German society to inspire gay players to come out including Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit.

And Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who plays for Champions League semi-finalists Schalke 04, has also said homosexual footballers should feel free to go public.

Our reaction: while there may be truth in Lahm's warnings about the consequences for a player who comes out, he might better have said what he would do to support and help any player willing to take that risk.

No comments: