It is no coincidence that the largest International Conference devoted to the human rights of LGBT people worldwide is a part of the 2nd World Outgames. A central goal of the event is the eradication of discrimination against LGBT people globally and the universal elimination of homophobia. Participation in both LGBT and mainstream sport is a physical and mental exercise, with social, political and economic implications.
Engaging in sport can be a source of inclusion or exclusion and can foster the enforcement or transgression of social and cultural boundaries. As such, sport can be a site of contradiction where queer identities are alternately celebrated or challenged, contested or championed. The Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA) and World Outgames understand the link between sport and social justice and we therefore welcome papers and panel discussions exploring these connections and contradictions.
The following are examples of issues that could be addressed in the sports theme:
- Pioneer out athletes
- Sport and social justice
- History of LGBT sport
- LGBT sport and disability
- Trans identities in LGBT sport
- Professional and popular sports
- Sport, law and society
- Gender and sexual orientation in sport