The 2nd World Outgames was voted best event of 2009 in Denmark by the readers of ‘Politiken’, one of the largest national Danish newspapers.. The World Outgames was in close competition with a Greenpeace event held during the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
The reasoning of the jury was the following: “5,500 temporary settlers were welcomed by residents of Copenhagen. For an entire week, there was open celebration of love with a surplus on the love-account.” And the readers of Politiken did agree and voted in large numbers Outgames the best event of 2009.
Uffe Elbaek, former CEO of the organizing team in Copenhagen states: “It was not only the Outgames as an LGBT-event who deserved the award. It was also the City of Copenhagen. Because without the strong involvement from the citizens, the city and state, the Outgames would never have turned into the love affair between the global LGBT community and Copenhageners as it did.”
Wessel van Kampen, GLISA International male co-President commented: “The Board of GLISA International is extremely proud and sees this award as a huge compliment for the Copenhagen organizing team! The GLISA model which is based on the three equally important components of Sports, Culture and Human Rights, was perfectly executed in Copenhagen. This award shows that Danes truly appreciated and supported the event.”
Ole Udsholt, the person responsible for taking the first steps to bring the 2nd World Outgames to Copenhagen and a GLISA International Board member (Host City liaison), states: “My vision from the very start was to have an open and inclusive event in Copenhagen. Outgames being awarded as the best event of 2009 is a perfect example of how Outgames became an event for everyone.”
Julia Applegate, GLISA International female co-President also stressed the fact that the Copenhagen event ended with a financial surplus: “The 2nd World Outgames this summer is the first worldwide LGBT event to have a financial surplus which will be distributed back into the LGBT community. When we received the audited financial report, we were thrilled, but this acknowledgement by the readers of ‘Politiken’ further confirms that the people of Denmark supported the event!”
Continental Outgames will be held in 2011 in Vancouver, Canada and in Wellington, New Zealand. The 3rd World Outgames will be held in Antwerp, Belgium in 2013.