German leader to open Gay Games VIII

Germany’s foreign minister and vice chancellor, Guido Westerwelle, will preside over the opening ceremony of the 2010 Gay Games, according to a news release [1]from the sports organization.

Westerwelle, who has been out on the job since 2001, will open the eighth Gay Games, held this year in Cologne, Germany.

[2]

“We are so pleased to have found such a prominent advocate. With his commitment, Dr. Guido Westerwelle sends an important signal for more tolerance and acceptance of gays and lesbians in our society,” said Annete Wachter, chief executive officer of Gay Games Cologne, said in a statement.

The Gay Games are expected to attract 12,000 athletes from 70 countries. At least 34,000 spectators are expected to watch the opening ceremonies.

The goal of the Gay Games is to foster tolerance for the LGBT community.

[1] http://www.games-cologne.de/en/gay-games/news/guido-westerwelle-will-be-sponsor-gay-games-viii-cologne-2010
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-germany-gay-games-top.jpg

Three Cities Compete For Gay Games

With just two months left before final voting takes place in Cologne, Germany, decision day is drawing near for three U.S. cities vying to be host city of the 2014 Gay Games.

Boston, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C., are all contenders for the event, which draws an estimated 12,000 athletes from 70 countries.

See Three Cities Compete For Gay Games

Advocate.com

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/three-cities-…

LGBT athletes team up for sports visibility

LGBT athletes will take to the fields, the courts, the pool and many other venues this weekend for a series of events that exhibit the varied sports prospects for the community.

Sports Week, June 5-14, is organized by Team Philadelphia, the umbrella organization that oversees all Philadelphia LGBT sports, which has spearheaded the series since 1992.

“We started this as a way to introduce people to the organizations that were a part of Team Philadelphia and to promote awareness of the opportunities available to LGBT people in athletics,” said Rick Van Tassel, Team Philadelphia board member and director of Sports Week.

Van Tassel said Sports Week additionally functions as a precursor to the quadrennial Gay Games, which will next be held in 2010 in Cologne, Germany.

Soheila Nikpour, Team Philadelphia chairperson, said the week also helps to dispel myths among mainstream athletic communities that LGBT individuals are not interested in sports.
See LGBT athletes team up for sports visibility

Philadelphia Gay News -

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