Take me out to the Outgames lln observer's tummenturv BY MIKHAEL YOWE 23’? hat do you get when 109 nations come together in the party capital of North America? You get the 1st World Outgames in Montreal, Quebec. It began on the 26th of July with the International Conference on LGBT Human Righm. Roughly 2,000 delegates from around the world came together for work- shops and discussions. The con- ference ended on July 29th with ’ the adoption of the Declaration of ' Montréal, an LGBT human rights proclamation. Intemalional tennis champion Martina Navratilova and Canadian Olympic champion Mark Tewks- bury presented the Declaration during the opening ceremony of the Outgames. Among the Dec- laration’s provisions: Protection against state and private violence; freedom of expression, assem- bly and association; freedom to engage in (private, consensual, adult) same-sex sexual activity; and a worldwide information * campaign to be launched at the . 2nd World Outgames in Copenha- gen in 2009. In the spirit of true inclusive- ness, the games were open to ev- eryone, regardless of sexual orien- tation, age, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, physical challenge, political beliefs, physi- cal ability, athletic and artistic The Outgames’ ideals were based on the principles of Participation and Celebration, Respect and Fairness, Innova- tion, Diversity and Empower- ment (PRIDE). There were no minimum athletic standards to qualify for the Outgames. The Olympic sports; and in things not so usual, like badminton and bodybuilding. Living up to its reputation, Mon- treal could not leave out the par- ties. Six huge cultural parties were thrown through out the week, cel- ebraling the events and the athletes. Living up to its reputatian, is/lantreal maid not Eeave eat the parties. Six huge cuitural parties were ‘thrown through eat the week. celebrating the events and the athletes. only requirement was the desire to support the stated ideals of the event. People with specific needs or disabilities were integrated as full-fledged participants, vol- unteers, officials and spectators. By accepting the Outgames’ challenge, all participants auto- matically became winners. I went to-the Outgames to watch my friend from Detroit , swim the 1500-meter freestyle. At 49 he needed all the encourage- ment that we could give him. Be- sides, I’m a people watcher and a room full of Speedo-clad athletes just can’t be missed. My friend stayed in the upper one—third of all of his events. Not bad for some one pushing half a century. About 15,000 athletes from 109 nations came together for 35 different events. Everyone from seasoned athletes to beginners Some 250,000 visitors came to watch the events and the people. Montreal’s ban on in- ’ , door smoking pushed patrons outside to the sidewalks, so city leaders closed St. Catherine Street during the games. It was a good thing, too. The foot traffic took to the street and was shoul- der to shoulder, a literal sea of people from around the World, laughing and celebrating life. It was a bonus that the In- ternational Fireworks Event was happening the same week. Every night a different country hosted the display of “pyro-art” over the city. To say the least, it was a great experience and the eye candy Wasn’t so bad,,either.V Mikhael Yowe is a married trans-queer leatherman who lives in Williamstown, skills or HIV/ health status. showed their mettle in usual Vermont. GAY GAMES OR OUTGAMES? 5' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 men. The advertising, the post- Compared to the straight meets, going block party atmosphere ers and pamphlets, the parties . I find gay men in general much in the gay sections of town, and and events, seemed so geared more accepting and supportive the crowds of the likeminded to the tastes ‘of gay men that she felt lesbians were almost invis- ible. Neither of us saw trans- gender presence acknowledged. Though I had noticed much the same in Chicago, I had attribut- ed it not to bias, but to economic interests focusing on those with deeper pockets and more enthusiasm for public partying. Most of the athletes were men, which is true in the straight world as well. You can Spend all your time following your favorite women’s softball team, or you can loosen up and eflioy watching the guys show off. The spandex index was off the charts, and I thought the barechested strutting and chore- graphed warmup exercises alone were worth the price of admis- sion; that is, if the gatekeepers at either place had bothered to Check spectators for tickets. of women in sports, and particu- larly friendly to us older ones. Of course, Montreal and Chicago both had thousands of participants and dozens of events scattered all around those big cities. Even with the free transit pass I used in Chicago, or with the willing friends who drove Al about Montreal, we could sample only the tiniest bit of what was available and can make no claim that our experiences are typical. Both of us attended a musical competition each to sample the artistic side of the games. Al heard the choral groups and I went to the bands, both with high qual- ity ensembles from around the world. We_estimated that maybe a quarter of those attending in both cities were from outside North America, which is a treat in itself. During the Gay Games and the Outgames there was an on- in the streets there made Visi- tors feel welcomed and safe. In these fundamentalist times, no city will show you a 100 percent gay positive face, and I passed through religious picketers and ranters on occasion. Even in liberal Burlington, LGBTQ space is found mainly indoors or in secluded rural areas. If you decide to get yourself in shape and go to either Co- logné or Copenhagen for the next round of Gay Games or Outgames, I think your most memorable experience will not be the gold medal around your neck, but the joyous celebration of thousands of members of our community.V Fran Moravcsik_and Alverta Perkins are former board members of Mountain Pride Media. SEPTEMBER 2006 I out in the mountains I1 Terry Light Sales & Leasing Consultant terry@burlingtoncars.com 1.800.833.5945 802.660.8099 x107 999.7351 See Subari Burlington Subaru 333 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT 05401 Eastwood Commons ll OPENHOUSE EVERY SUNDAY l—3 Come tour with us! You've watched The building going up from the outside, come see it from the inside. One. two and three bedroom units are still available, some still with custom finishing options. All units have nine foot ceilings, central air and most have underground parking and balconies. 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