Newsletter January 2009
Content
Outgames volunteer meeting 29 January
IAG calls for workshop proposals
Share your good practices
Training for Outgames inspires fitness
Danish footballers gear up for 2009
More than 1,600 register for Asia Pacific
Eurogames 2008 registration in full swing
Copenhagen parties till the break of dawn
The first information meeting for World Outgames 2009 volunteers will be held at 19.00 hrs on 29 January at our office on Farvergade 10, next to Oscar Bar, in Copenhagen
We need translators, photographers, writers, designers, IT experts, referees, time keepers, hosts, guides, office assistants - jacks of all trades. So come find out how you can help us spread the message of love and freedom, and to ensure a successful operation of our sporting , cultural and human rights programs.
For more information, please click volunteers at www.copenhagen2009.org or send an email to Mette Bugge at mette@copenhagen2009.org">mette@copenhagen2009.org.
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The International Advisory Group for the human rights conference at World Outgames 2009 will soon be accepting proposals for workshops. Participants will be asked to submit proposals related to one of nine primary conference themes or under the open theme category:
- Human Rights and Politics
- Family and Relationships
- Sports
- Education
- Media and Culture
- Workers Out!
- Out in Business!
- LGBT history
- Health
- Open theme
The World Outgames Human Rights Conference will be held in Copenhagen from 27 – 29 July 2009. The official call for workshop proposals will be online from February 2008. The deadline for submissions is 1 October 2008. For more information visit www.copenhagen2009.org and click on conference. Or send an email inquiry to Jonatan Porsager at jonatan@copenhagen2009.org.
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International Conference on LGBT Human Rights is to collect and present a series of good practices that has improved the lives of LGBT people at a local, national or international level.
A good practice should live up to at least one of the criteria listed below. A good practice:
o Makes an actual change that contributes to LGBT equality.
o Has an impact on the political environment, legislation, financing or resource allocation etc. at a local, national or international level.
o Demonstrates original ideas and provides LGBT NGOs with new powerful tools.
o Demonstrates sustainability and facilitates commitment from mainstream institutions, governments, the UN, the EU, NGOs, academia, the media etc.
o Addresses LGBT discrimination and areas of inequality.
o Is sensitive and inclusive to other areas of equal rights, i.e. gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, ethnicity and race, religion, class and disability.
The official call for good practices will be online from April 2008. The accepted Good Practices will be published in a database. A selection of those published will be presented at World Outgames during the Human Rights Conference from 27 – 29 July 2009.
For more information visit our website. Or send an email inquiry to Jonatan Porsager at jonatan@copenhagen2009.org.
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Keeping fit isn’t always easy, especially if you’re not particularly interested in playing sports or crazy about working out at the gym. That’s why training for World Outgames 2009 is proving to be a great source of inspiration for Jesper Corfitzen.
“I’ve been going to fitness for a few years now to stay in shape,” said Corfitzen, a graduate student in landscape architecture at Copenhagen University, “but up until now I can’t really say that I’ve enjoyed it.”
What’s changed?
“Well, now I’m training to run at World Outgames 2009 and that keeps me motivated.” Said Corfitzen. Now I look forward to my workouts.”
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Although the next stop is London for the IGLFA world championships in 2008, Danish footballers are already looking ahead to 2009 when Copenhagen plays host to World Outgames.
Pan-Fodbold, a Copenhagen-based club, started with 10 players on the men’s team in 2000 and now numbers about 40 members. They field an 11-man team in the Danish series 5 league, as well as an oldboys (32 and older) 7-man team.
“We’re definitely going to put together a fine squad for World Outgames and look forward to meeting many of the other international teams here again,” said Marc Chewins, who is captain of the team. Copenhagen hosted the IGLFA world championships in 2005.
Pan-Fodbold also has a women’s club that plays in local and international 7-player team tournaments and will also be ready for World Outgames in 2009.
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The opening ceremony on 31 January at the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames in Melbourne, Australia will include more than 1,600 registered participants from all over the Asia Pacific region as well as from Europe.
“Through playing sport, being involved in the human rights conference, enjoying Midsumma’s cultural program or by volunteering you are a champion,” said Professor David De Kretser, the Governor of Victoria who will officially open the games at Melbourne’s historic Town Hall.
Like the 1st North American Outgames that were staged in Calgary, Canada in 2007, the Asia Pacific Outgames are a regional run up to the 2nd World Outgames that will be held in Copenhagen from 25 July – 2 August 2009.
Under the banner “Play With Your Neighbors”, The Asia Pacific Outgames runs from 31 January – 3 February. Licensed by GLISA Asia Pacific, it features competitions in 12 sporting events and a 2-day human rights conference. It is also part of the annual Midsumma Festival in Melbourne, which is the largest LGBT cultural festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Registration for the Asia Pacific Outgames is closed but Outgames Spectator Passes can be purchased until 31 January. For more information visit the website www.melbourneoutgames.org.
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With a backdrop in ever popular Barcelona and Olympic facilities for the 28 sporting events, Eurogames XII from 24 -27 July 2008 promises to be a spectacular event. Registration is now open and event organizers encourage participants to book their place in the games now for a guaranteed spot in the program.
Along with registration, participants are also advised to make arrangements for travel and accommodations as soon as possible. In Denmark, Pink Viking Travel Adventures offers special packages for Danish participants. Visit www.pinkviking.net for more information about travel to Eurogames XII from Denmark.
For more information about Eurogames XII in Barcelona, visit www.panteresgrogues.cat/cms.
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Within the last year, the LGBT community in Copenhagen has experienced a wave of new club openings that has the city partying until well after daybreak
Rocco and Foxy are among the new clubs, that along with a variety of underground parties and bars including Vela for women, have increased the pulse of nightlife here.
“We started Rocco to give Copenhageners the international electro – house experience found in other major European cities,” explained Rocco co-founder and DJ John Eltong, who has also rocked dance floors in Warsaw, Madrid and Berlin.
Many of the new clubs feature international DJ’s, and lesbian jockeys like Rosa Lux and Djuna Barnes are sure to pack the house. Foxy is open every weekend. The next Rocco Party is February 9 at Scala in Copenhagen.
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