2009

This week the Irish and UK press has been full of news that one of the great stars of Irish Hurling has come out as gay. Donal Óg Cusack, the Cork Goalkeeper makes the revelation in his autobiography Come What May, published today by Penguin Ireland. Support from the sports governing body the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) has been met by a generally positive response throughout the country by hurling fans. Sandra Gowran, Director of Education Policy at the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in Ireland says: “It is fantastic news. The GAA is a stronghold of traditional Ireland, so [...]

This week sees a new round of UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches across Europe - and the fight against racism will be the focal point at stadiums throughout the continent, as UEFA gives its full support to Europe’s biggest anti-racism campaign which kicked-off last week. UEFA has been a core supporter of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network since a formal agreement was signed in 2001, and as the relationship has grown, so have the number and scale of anti-racism activities at European matches. European football’s governing body has a zero tolerance policy towards racism [...]

EGLSF Board visited Rotterdam between October 15 and 18 for a board meeting, thanks to the invitation and hospitality of EuroGames Rotterdam 2011 and Rotterdam club Ketelbinkie. Board members held a meeting with EuroGames organisers about the cooperation issues involved: schedule, registration, venues, contract, etc... Also some visits to venues were organised. It was opportunity also to meet some representatives of the 2012 Budapest EuroGames. EGLSF Board also had a meeting with the recently newly elected Board of our member club Ketelbinkie. Several issues were discussed concerning cooperation, most specifically concerning gender equality, transgender issues and sport management. Parallel to [...]

In early October 2009 in France, Creteil Bebel, a soccer team made up of mainly Muslim players, refused to play a match against Paris Foot Gay, a club that welcomes homosexual and heterosexual players. The dispute got a lot of media attention, and after a week, a resolution finally came in the form of a one-line note last week from the sports league governing the amateur teams. Creteil Bebel was ejected from the league for refusing the match on discriminatory grounds. The mentioned team cancelled the match at the last moment, via email, roughly translating: "Sorry, but in light of [...]

Gay Games VIII, the biggest LGBT sports and cultural festival in the world, will take place in Cologne, Germany from July 31 to August 7, 2010. Some 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries are expected to celebrate the principles of participation, inclusion and personal best. Almost 2000 participants have already registered, with sailing and golf nearing maximum capacity. Registration fees will increase by 25 Euros on 31 December 2009, and the deadline for scholarship applications has been extended to November 1, so register now! “Be part of it!” Gay Games VIII is open to everyone – regardless of sexual [...]