eglsf newsletter 03-09: march 2009

03/09: March 2009

Anniversary Conference & AGAWe want to thank Homosport Nederlands for organizing this year’s AGA in a very efficient and nice way, not at least for organizing the Building Bridges 3 conference, which was a very valuable anniversary gift for EGLSF.

We also want to thank all delegates and guests for participating in AGA and making your very valid contributions to the discussions. A special thanks also goes to the chairs!

Attached to this newsletter (sent to members only), the delegates evaluation of AGA 2009; if you want to read the very constructive comments added by the delegates and guests, please write [email protected].

Our members have also probably noticed that we have used a new online membership form. The board would like to

hear your comments on it, so please write Juha Meronen, [email protected].

“The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don’t agree with.”

Eleanor Holmes Norton, delegate to US Congress

SpringSpringtime has arrived, which means that you will be able to enjoy the great outdoors. Spring is also a time when the nature starts its rebirth - take the chance to enjoy it!

In the beginning of March in the Hague, EGLSF celebrated its 20th anniversary, so a big THANK YOU to all our members and guests who attended the Building Bridges 3 conference and the anniversary AGA.

ContentsANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE & AGA

NEWS SECTION

SPORTS EVENTS COMING UP...

EGLSF Newsletter: News & Information from European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation

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Buildig Bridges 3 ConferenceThe conference was organised for EGLSF by Homosport Netherland on March 6, 2009 in the Hague; with the support of Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport and the City of Hague. Amongst others, representatives from Football Against Racism in Europe, Union of European Football Associations, European Union and Council of Europe, and the Norwegian Olympic Committee participated in the conference. We are proud of that and consider it a result of the profound advocacy work that some of our members have carried out during many years. The workshops given were useful, as they presented “tools” that the participants might use in different fields regarding approaches to mainstream sport associations, setting LGBT sport at a local agenda etc.

Who participated in the AGA?The 20th anniversary AGA also took place in tha Hague, in the theatre Concordia on March 7 & 8, 2009.

42 ordinary members, i.e. member clubs, 1 associated member, and 7 extraordinary members including European Same Sex Dance Association participated in AGA. Apart from that, our guests included FGG and GLISA, Football against Racism in Europe, Harvaard Oevregaard from the Norwegian Olympic and Paraolympic Committee, and not at least representatives from the following international LGBT sport associations: Gay and Lesbian Rowing Federation, International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics, International Gay and Lesbian Football Association and International Gay and Lesbian Field Hockey Federation. The number of international LGBT sport associations is the highest ever, and we will strive for including those associations and even more at the next AGA, at

which we will decide on manuals for the individual sports regarding EuroGames and as guidelines for the tournaments organized by our member clubs.

What decisions were taken?Motions presented by EGLSF Board and member club FVV (Frankfurt, Germany) concerning EuroGames were withdrawn. Although the two motions had elements in common, they had a clearly different purpose (see 2009 AGA papers).

Taking into account the complexity of the issue, the interests involved, the potential impact and the time still available, both motions were withdrawn, as proposed by the 2009 AGA Co-Chairs, in order to study the issue more in depth.

EGLSF board will co-operate with FVV, as well as with other potentially stakeholders involved, with the goal of presenting a new motion, or motions if necessary, at AGA 2010.

The outline for a strategic plan presented by the board was accepted by AGA after the workshops on the topics of the plan. This means that the board has to present an elaborated strategic plan at AGA 2010 into which the outcome of the discussions at AGA are incorporated accompanied by

a transparent to do task-list.

The chairs of AGA 2010 proposed by the board, Tatjana Eggeling (Seitenwechsel, Berlin), and Johan van de Ven (Homosport Nederlands), were elected.

There was only one bid for EuroGames 2011 and EuroGames 2012, i.e. the joint bid from Ketelbinkie Rotterdam (The Netherlands), and Atlasz, Budapest (Hungary). AGA voted in favour of the bid. The board welcomes this bid very warmly, since it means EGLSF taking a step to a higher level in the field of outreach, of exchanging experiences.

Who are the board members?Pepe Garcia Velàzquez (Spain, Belgium) was re-elected as male co-president, Lou Manders (The Netherlands) was re-elected as general secretary, Juha Meronen (Finland) was re-elected as cashier, and Andrej Pisl (Slovenia) was re-elected as general board member. Gabriella Körmendi (Hungary) was re-elected as general board member, and Lou Englefield (UK) was elected as new general board member. Gisela Weil (Germany) and Anne Jensen (Denmark) are still on the board.

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International LGBT sport associationsWithin the last year the board has discussed the relations between EGLSF and FGG/GLISA from the viewpoint of our members. Some of you, our members, have expressed the wish (and need) for the two organizations to come together.

We have encouraged FGG and GLISA to meet and exchange viewpoints regarding the situation that we find difficult to sustain, i.e. two world wide LGBT sport events two years in a row within four years. The current situation is confusing and not easy to understand for a huge part of LGBT sport constituency, amongst EGLSF members, in Europe in general, and in the world.

This situation could have an unfavourable impact on many elements of LGBT sport activity, i.e, at the levels concerning economics, advocacy, gender equality, etc., and before all at the very level of sport, damaging the principles of participation and excellence. That is not what we want – we want inclusion of everybody into LGBT sport and into sport in general, also at worldwide events.

Therefore, we are very glad, that FGG and GLISA have started exchanging viewpoints. We do acknowledge, however, that this process has to take the time it needs and the positive cooperation by all stakeholders involved.

Presents to and from EGLSFFGG, in cooperation with IIIV Gay Games Cologne, made a “20 for 20th” present consisting of 20 free registrations for 2010 Gay Games. The board will - during its next meeting in May - select 20 of EGLSF member clubs and allocate one of these 20 free registrations to each of the selected clubs. Taking into account that the present was for the whole EGLSF, the board considered that all members must

benefit from it; therefore they were not assigned for outreach purposes (there is a specific program for that at Gay Games).

The organizers of Outgames 2009 Copenhagen offered a 20% discount of its registration for EGLSF members, i.e. new registrations. It must be done on the 28th and 29th of March and indicate the code EGLSF09. Furthermore, Outgames 2009 offered drinks for our anniversary dinner Friday night at the city hall in The Hague.

The board wants to express our gratitude for the nice and thoughtful gifts we received.

All members and guests received an anniversary gift from EGLSF, i.e. a USB stick with information and presentations about EGLSF, which we encourage you to use in your clubs and elsewhere. If you have any questions to this, please write Andrej Pisl, [email protected].

Next Board MeetingsThe next Board meeting will take place in the middle of May, but the board will have a few cyber meetings before that. If you have any issues you want the board to touch upon, please write Anne Jensen [email protected].

NewsSectionNews submitted by our members

Unite Against Racism conference05 March 2009

‘Football is a wonderful thing!’ are the words of legendary footballer and fervent anti racist campaigner, Lilian Thuram, as he addressed the ‘Unite Against Racism’ conference in Warsaw today. Thuram, World Cup winner and current FARE ambassador is one of football’s most articulate voices. He spoke at length about his experiences of racism in football and how collectively, organisations such as FARE and UEFA can make a difference to the footballing landscape across Europe.

“We’re all born with prejudices,” said Thuram. “I work a lot in schools and talk to the kids. I ask them what they think of black people. They tell me that black people sing well and run fast”. These are innocent prejudices, but prejudices all the same. Football is a wonderful thing, a unique tool that helps us overcome prejudice. By its very nature, playing or watching football means you met people. At the grassroots level, there is no such thing as skin colour.

His sentiments were echoed by UEFA first vice-president ?enes Erzik who earlier in the day said: “I think you will all agree with me that football extends beyond borders, irons out differences and unleashes people’s passion. You who, on a day-to-day basis, lead the fight to reduce discrimination and increase respect in football and in society as a whole – you

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know how difficult it is to mobilise people around an idea, even one as exciting and worthy as our commitment to combating discrimination in all its forms.”

A screening of the FARE ‘Unite Against Racism’ documentary, filmed on location during the Euro 2008, was shown to highlight the positive work the network had undertaken with UEFA, with General Secretary, David Taylor commenting on what a success the tournament had been: “With only some minor exceptions, the behaviour of the fans of the national teams could not be faulted, and for me it was truly inspiring to see how the various nationalities combined and intermingled in the fan zones and in the stadiums. That is what football should be about – not antagonism, not abuse, not violence – simply a celebration of our sport and the commitment of football fans to supporting their national team and club.”

Over 300 people then dispersed to take part in a range of workshops covering nationalism, anti-semitism and the issue of the roma minority groups. The majority of workshops were prepared, coordinated and chaired by FARE members.

The day concluded with a players panel chaired by ex Manchester Utd and Tottenham Hotspur player, Garth Crooks, who was joined by Paul Elliott, the first black player to captain Chelsea FC. Other players on hand to spark the debate included Papa Samba Ba from MKS Znicz Pruszków, Vladimír Sendrei of Roma public policy institute and Roger Guerreiro currently a Poland international playing for Legia Warszaw.

The latest high profile footballer to pledge his support to FARE, Spain European Championship winner, Marcus Senna, sent a message of support via video link.

http://www.farenet.org

Future of sport in the EU15 March 2009

Sport attracts European citizens with a majority of people – around 60 percent – taking part in sporting activities on a regular basis. Around one third of the EU population is organised in a sport club making sport the largest social movement in Europe. Due to its important social function, sport is referred to in the Lisbon Treaty granting the EU a legal basis to promote sport at European level. But how shall the EU promote sport? Which actions shall the EU implement in the field of sport?

The project EU:SPORT:FUTURE and in particular this survey would like to answer these questions and aims at collecting the opinion of citizens on the future EU competence on sport and providing recommendations to the future European sport competences on various aspects such as health, volunteering, social inclusion, education and employment.

The questionnaire shall provide a framework of the discussions among citizens and experts what the EU should do in the field of sport. By filling in the questionnaire you can shape the discussions, and furthermore you participate – provided you agree – in the drawing of participants for the workshops and final conference scheduled to take place over the year 2009. So your answer counts and has direct effect on the discussions within the project EU:SPORT:FUTURE.

http://www.eusportfuture.eu

2014 FGG Finalists20 March 2009

The international Federation of Gay Games (FGG) announced that it had received completed bid documents

from groups in Boston, Massachusetts, Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington, DC competing (all USA) for hosting Gay Games IX in 2014. Federation Officer for Site Selection Darl Schaaff (Anchorage, Alaska) declared: “The FGG is delighted to receive three final bids of very high quality. The number of inquiries we have received throughout the process encouraged us to believe that we would end up with a number of fine options for Gay Games IX, but these three cities demonstrate a real understanding of the scope and mission of the Gay Games. To choose one winner from among three great bidders won’t be easy.”

Site Selection co-chair Dennis Sneyers (Chicago, Illinois) explained that “FGG members and volunteers will be submitting their questions for clarification to bidders over the coming weeks. In July-August 2009 a team of site inspectors will visit the three cities to meet the bidding team and see the venues proposed. At our 2009 Annual Meeting in Cologne, Germany, in September, bidders will make their final presentation and eligible members of the FGG Assembly will vote to choose the host for 2014.”

FGG Officer for Sport Marc Naimark (Paris, France) expressed his satisfaction with the sports programs offered. FGG Officer for Culture Robby Davis (Seattle, Washington) noted: “Each of the bidders has met the FGG’s minimum requirements for Gay Games cultural events, with some spectacular ideas for executing these events.” Federation Co-President Emy Ritt (Paris, France) wished all bidders well, and thanked those who had participated in earlier stages of the bidding process. “We’ve had contact with some great people from cities around the world that would be wonderful hosts of the Gay Games, and we thank them for the efforts they have made.

http://www.gaygames.org

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Sports Events Coming up...Events submitted by our members

Volleyball

2009 Black Cat TournamentTurin, Italy 27 Mar – 29 Mar 2009

http://www.gsgattonero.org [email protected]

Volleyball

Goud Groningen Lente TournamentGroningen, the Netherlands 27 Mar – 29 Mar 2009

Friday 27 welcome and registration, Saturday 28 tournament and party, Sunday 29 farewell brunch.

http://www.goudgroningen.nl [email protected]

Multisports

Duessel-Cup

Duesseldorf, Germany 3 Apr – 5 Apr 2009

Springtime in Duesseldorf: Welcome to our 3rd edition of the famous Duessel-Cup. We hope you will join us (once again) in competitions in the following seven disciplines: badminton, basketball, bowling, football, swimming, table tennis and volleyball. For further information just have a look at our site.

http://www.duessel-cup.de [email protected]

Synchronized Swimming

Men’s Cup 3Milan, Italy 9 Apr – 12 Apr 2009

European amateur Men’s Synchronized Swimming Tournament.

http://www.menscup.org [email protected]

Volleyball

Easter-Tournament 2009Dresden, Germany 9 Apr – 13 Apr 2009

http://www.bs-dd.de [email protected]

Badminton

7th Easter Badminton TourRotterdam, the Netherlands 10 Apr – 13 Apr 2009

Ketelbinkie proudly invites you, to register for the 7th great, international Easter Badminton Tournament 2009 for all lesbian and gay people in Europe. The tournament will take place from April 10 - 13 2009. We expect, looking back to the success of 2007, again at least 150 participants and will make every effort to make this tournament successful again.

http://www.ketelbinkie.net/badminton [email protected]

Volleyball

HäschenturnierHamburg, Germany 10 Apr – 13 Apr 2009

18th Easter Tournament - International Gay & Lesbian Volleyball Tournament.

http://www.startschuss.org [email protected]

Squash

Easter Tournament 2009Amsterdam, the Netherlands 11 Apr – 12 Apr 2009 Rainbow Squash’s 11th international squash tournament will take place during Easter 2009. Two playing days. All levels welcome.

http://www.rainbowsquash.com [email protected]

Multisports

HOT Helsinki Badminton & Volleyball TournamentHelsinki, Finland 17 Apr – 19 Apr 2009

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Feel the warm northern atmosphere and have a nice weekend in Helsinki, the Daughter of the Baltic Sea! We welcome you to participate in the 2nd HOT Helsinki Badminton & Volleyball Tournament. In badminton we have levels A, B and C in single and double. In volleyball we have one level (B). After the games on Saturday night we will party and on Sunday we continue with the brunch. We try to offer you free private accommodation. We are looking forward meeting you in Helsinki!

http://www.hot.fi/index.php/Tournament [email protected]

Volleyball

IV Juegos del CierzoZaragoza, Spain 17 Apr – 19 Apr 2009

Elaios will host the fourth edition of Juegos del Cierzo from April, 17th until 19th, in Zaragoza, including volleyball male and female competitions. The registration terms will be available after 19 th January,in the website. We hope you to come South again!

http://www.elaios.org [email protected]

Multisports

9th ZLG Tournament‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands 24 Apr – 26 Apr 2009

Already our 9th International ZLG Tournament theme this year “Dat gaat naar Den Bosch toe” takes places from 24 – 26 April 2009 in a slightly new setting. Participants may compete in Volleyball,

Badminton or Aerobics. Highlights will be the Welkom Bol on Friday, of course the sports and party on Saturday and our famous SeeYouAgain Brunch on Sunday. We provide limited hosted housing.

http://www.zlgdenbosch.nl [email protected]

Badminton

Paris TournamentParis, France 24 Apr – 26 Apr 2009

The Paris Tournament is back... Come to play with us : Doubles Men & Doubles Ladies A/B+/B-/C+/C-

http://www.parisbad.com [email protected]

Ballroom Dancing

5th German ChampionshipsFrankfurt, Germany 1 May – 2 May 2009

5th International Open German Championships in Standard and Latin American Dances for Women and Men Couples Two-day Championships event for all competition levels D-A. Final ballroom event on Saturday, 2nd May 2009. Please find all information on this competition at the above mentioned website in English and German. We are looking forward to meeting you in Frankfurt!

http://www.artemis-sport.de/en/DMTanzen/ [email protected]

Multisports

PRAGUE RAINBOW SPRING 2009Prague, Czech Republic 1 May – 3 May 2009

http://www.pratety.cz [email protected]

Multisports

8th Brescia Volley Spring TournamentBrescia, Italy 1 May – 3 May 2009

For the 8th time in a row, Le Iene Volley is happy to invite all italian and european volleyball players to play with us in Brescia! We’ll welcome you in a genuine atmosphere and give you the chance to stay at a wonderful residence on the Garda Lake with very low fares! 20% discount on Inscription fee for OUTREACH COUNTRIES!

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Levels of play will be A, B+, B- and C. Check Milano (Orio) or Verona airports for low cost flights. Soon more infos on our website! Ciao!

http://www.leienevolley.it [email protected]

Badminton

Queensday TournamentDelft, The Netherlands 1 May – 3 May 2009

The cutest tournament around; if you never been there.. come and find out. If you were... you already know:-) And for those who never experienced queensday in Holland, this is the perfect opportunity to make it a long weekend. Celebrate Queensday on the 30th of April in Amsterdam, get sober on the first of May and sweat out the calories on the 2nd of May.

http://www.rozeblok.nl/orange [email protected]

Multisports

10th Anniversary DGLAAmsterdam, The Netherlands 2 May 2009

http://www.dgla.nl [email protected]

Volleyball

Barbie & Ken Cup 2009Berlin, Germany 8 May – 10 May 2009

International Gay Tournament, Volleyball Men C

http://volleyball.vorspiel-berlin.de/ken [email protected]

Badminton

Badminton PlauschturnierBasel, Switzerland 9 May 2009

http://lgsportbasel.ch/badmintion.html [email protected]

Football/Soccer

10. SC AufRuhr Hallenfußballturnier in HerneMetropole Ruhr, Germany 9 May 2009

www.sc-aufruhr.de [email protected]

Football/Soccer

Kaos Cup 2009Rimini, Italy 22 May – 24 May 2009

Nuova Kaos Milano and “Rimini Piadina” are organizing the next edition of the Kaos Cup. It will be held at Gatteo Mare, which is only a stone throw away from Rimini. The tournament format is 5-a-side - and the dates are 22nd through 24th of May 2009. The tournament will be hosted by a local bungalow resort which is in walking distance from the beach. Additionally there is also a nice swimming pool with a good equipped pool bar.

http://www.nuovakaosmilano.info/kaoscup2009.html [email protected]

Multisports

Sports@Europride 09Zurich, Switzerland 29 May – 1 Jun 2009

http://www.europride09.eu [email protected]

Badminton

Berlin 2009Berlin, Germany 29 May – 2 Jun 2009

Berlin is back again! 3 days of competition - men/women - 5 levels - singles/doubles/mixed doubles Only 50 EUR, Party and Brunch included. Limited to 300 participants.

http://www.vorspielbadminton.de [email protected]

Contact UsEuropean Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF)c/o NCSMeeuwenlaan 41NL-1021 HS AmsterdamThe [email protected]

EGLSF Newsletter (ISSN: 1876-1763) is published by the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation. EGLSF is registered as a non-profit sports organisation with the Chamber of Commerce in The Hague and enjoys participatory status with the Council of Europe.

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Multisports

TIP 09Paris, France 29 May – 1 Jun 2009

The International tournament of Paris is very happy to welcome you from the 29th of may until the 1st of june, for the sixth time. We are waiting for more than 1500 athletes and guests, they are going to be a part of this convivial sports event concerning 15 sports. The International tournament of paris TIP 09 is coordinate by the Lesbian and gay sports federation which bring together more than twenty associations around about thirty sports activities. This year, big novelty, FrontRunners from Paris Lyon and Marseille offer a footrace competition. Les Dérailleurs, the ATV club, coordinate with the association Paris Rando Velo a night ride in Paris. Ideal to discover Paris by bike.

http://www.paris-tournament.org [email protected]

Tennis

PINKster TournamentAmsterdam, The Netherlands 29 May – 1 Jun 2009

The PINKster Tournament is the largest international gay & lesbian tennis tournament in the world. We play host to over 450 players from well over 20 different countries. This ever-growing event is also a stop on the calendar of the International Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA). Amsterdam’s Smashing Pink Tennis Club (TC) was founded in 1996 and was the first gay & lesbian tennis club to be established in Europe. Smashing Pink TC originates from the Pinkster Tournament and currently boasts over 350 members. If you would like to learn more about Smashing Pink TC, please visit our website.

http://www2.i-concept.nl/one/smashingpink/pinkstertoernooi/english/ [email protected]

Football/Soccer

TOURNOI DE PARISParis, France 30 May – 31 May 2009

2 days in Paris with 10 female and 30 male teams.

http://www.fcparisarcenciel.com [email protected]

Golf

1st Golf Gay Week TournamentMaspalomas, Spain 7 Jun – 14 Jun 2009

http://www.grancanariagolfgayweek.com [email protected]

Football/Soccer

15th Come-Together-CupCologne, Germany 11 Jun – 11 Jun 2009

“15th Come-Together-Cup 2009” (CTC) in Cologne. “Closer is impossible” is the theme of the soccer event to promote integration of all minorities.

http://www.come-together-cup.de [email protected]

Fotos: Page 1-2: Alex van Hulst Others: Public, non-copyrighted

03/09: March 2009

eglsf newsletter 03-09: march 2009

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