Category Archives: pressrelease

Pride House sports programme to include football, run, and bowling night

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PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Megan Worthing-Davies, Project Manager, EGLSF/Pride House
megan@eglsf.info
+44 (0)7814 036789

Leviathen Hendricks, President, Phoenix FC
phoenixfc1@gmail.com

London, 27 July 2012

Pride House 2012 announces sports programme
Football tournament, 5K run, and bowling already slated, with more on the way

Pride House 2012 is a place, CA House at Limehouse Basin, a project of Pride Sports UK, in
collaboration with the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, the Federation of Gay
Games, the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA), Phoenix FC and the
LGBT Consortium. Pride House is also a festival running from 3-12 August 2012, with a range of special offerings, including several sports events.

Among the first announced was the Pride House Football Tournament, hosted by London’s
Phoenix FC with the support of the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association and
the sponsorship of GLISA and Barefoot Wines. The 7-a-side tournament already has many teams registered, and will take place at Mile End Stadium, just up Regents Canal from CA House, on Sunday 5 August.

Leviathen Hendricks, president and founder of London’s Phoenix FC, explains the
involvement of his club: “When I learned that a Pride House would be open, I knew
that Phoenix FC should be a part of it. We’re a club that’s focused on the growing LGBT
population in East London, the home of the 2012 Olympics. Thanks to our sponsors, we’re
able to offer a great 7-a-side event, and we look forward to plenty of visitors ready to join in
the fun, which will continue in the evening with a party back at CA House.”

Later in the week, on Thursday 9 August, a 5K run is being organized by PACE, London
Friend, and the Big Gay 10K. This “Pride House Docklands Dash” will start at 7pm at
Limehouse Basin Marina (near CA House), and take runners out to Westferry, then back
along Narrow Street to Limehouse, taking in the sights of London old and new along the way. Organiser Francis Burrows explained the choice of route: “The location of Pride House lends itself to some great runs. The terrain is flat, so it’s great for runners of all abilities. And we’ll be running near the Thames, the lifeblood of London, so we think it will be an enjoyable experience for Londoners, as well as the visiting friends we hope will join us.”

Registration for the Docklands Dash 5K Run is at pridehouse5k-eorg.eventbrite.com

Participating in the Docklands Dash will be activist Clare Dimyon MBE, who has spent recent months engaging with LGBT people in Ukraine. While there, she has collected messages from those she met on rainbow-coloured paper, which she plans to transform into her own torch to shed light on the repression of LGBT people in Ukraine, host with Poland of this summer’s UEFA Euro Football Cup. Prior to the finale at the Pride House Docklands Dash, with the help of London Frontrunners, Ms Dimyon will have taken her torch to the London embassies of the Eastern European she is currently engaged with.

A third event announced is a bowling night at London Palace Superbowl in Elephant & Castle on Friday 10 August, for which registration is open at pridehousebowling.eventbrite.co.uk .
Everyone is welcome to have a fun evening bowling. London sports groups are particularly
welcome, and are encouraged to show up in their team kit.

Other events still being finalised are an event for Wednesday 8 August, as well as a games day and picnic on Saturday 11 August. Check pridehouse2012.org for updates.

Find details and registration information on the “Sports programme” page at
pridehouse2012.org

Pride House 2012 to host open meeting on action against homophobia in the Olympic Movement

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UPDATE: We are pleased to announce the support of NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, for this meeting.

The Federation of Gay Games (FGG), with the support of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) and the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) has called on interested parties to meet at Pride House 2012 to discussion concrete action on the fight against homophobia in the Olympic Movement. Participating in the meeting will also be the Peter Tatchell Foundation and Jonathan Cooper and Mark Stephens of the Human Dignity Trust.

The meeting will take place on Saturday 4 August 2012 from 11am to 2pm at Pride House 2012, a project of Pride Sports UK, in collaboration with the EGLSF, FGG, GLISA, the LGBT Consortium and Phoenix FC. It aims to offer a welcoming space for all athletes, staff, spectators and friends of London 2012. Pride House 2012 will be open on 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 12 August at CA House in Limehouse Basin on the River Thames, and in other venues from 3-12 August.

Armelle Mazé, female co-president of the EGLSF, spoke of the example of the recent EuroGames in Budapest: “When thousands of athletes, whose only goal was to play sport, came together in Hungary last month, a massive police presence was needed to ensure their safety. “EGLSF’s male co-president Lou Manders continued: “The games were a success, but they highlight the difficulties LGBT people experience in many countries when it comes to taking part in sport.”

Paul Brummitt, secretary of GLISA, added: “Many participants from more tolerant countries were shocked at how much security was needed in Budapest to protect us against threats of homophobic violence. In far too many countries, homophobia denies people access to sport or forces them to keep quiet about their sexuality. The London Olympics, a model of inclusion and diversity in the host committee, are an opportunity for a loud call to action.”

Marc Naimark, FGG VP for External Affairs, explained the background of this invitation: “In 2010, the FGG launched a campaign to call on the IOC to respect the principles of the Olympic Charter that reject all forms of discrimination in sport. Since then little has changed. The IOC claims the leadership of worldwide sport: we believe they need to take concrete and concerted action to make this principle a reality for LGBT athletes and coaches.”

Peter Tatchell recently called on the IOC to refuse participation in the Olympics to countries that discriminate in sport: “The international sports community ban on apartheid South Africa was a positive example of the responsibility of sporting institutions to ensure non-discrimination. If it was unacceptable for black South Africans to be excluded from sport on the basis of their race, why is it acceptable for LGBT athletes to be excluded because of their sexual orientation or gender identity?”

Lou Englefield, director of lead partner Pride Sports, concluded: “Pride House 2012 is a place to meet and discuss issues relative to LGBT sport and LGBT people in sport. I’m pleased that interested parties will be able to meet here to work towards positive action in favour of LGBT participation in sport.”

All are welcome to Pride House 2012. In order to ensure proper planning, please write to pridehouse2012@gmail.com by 1 August to indicate your intent to participate in the session. Pride House 2012 will remain open to all free of charge during the session.

Exhibition on out student athletes added to programme of Pride House 2012

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London, 20 July 2012

Exhibition on out student athletes added to programme of Pride House 2012
Expanded electronic version of ‘Fearless’ will make its European debut

The Federation of Gay Games and Pride House 2012 are pleased to announce the addition of a new exhibition to its programme of events for the Olympics. In addition to the already-announced exhibition ‘Against the Rules’, photographer Jeff Sheng will be showing a newly expanded electronic version of his ground-breaking exhibition ‘Fearless’.

Pride House 2012 is a project of Pride Sports UK, in collaboration with the Federation of Gay Games, the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), GLISA International, the LGBT Consortium, and the Pride House Foundation and aims to offer a welcoming space for all athletes, staff, spectators and friends of London 2012. Pride House 2012 will be open from 3 to 7 August at CA House in Limehouse Basin on the river Thames, with the Pride House 2012 festival continuing in various venues through 12 August, the day of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Lou Englefield, Executive Director of lead partner Pride Sports, presented her pleasure at rounding out the exhibition programme with ‘Fearless’: ‘While “Against the Rules” looks at out sports icons of the past and the present, “Fearless” presents role models for today and tomorrow. We know from experience the power this exhibition can have, both as works of art and as testimony of the courage of young people today. Whatever their future in sports, they are sports heroes.’

‘Fearless’ is a long-term project of noted American photographer Jeff Sheng, who travels to high school and university campuses in the US to capture portraits of young out student athletes. Olympic speed skater and Gay Games Ambassador Blake Skjellerup attributes his own public coming out to his encounter with the exhibition at the 2010 Pride House in Vancouver, taking the courage of these young people as a model to follow.

Jeff Sheng presents the project: ‘In 2003, I began “Fearless,” documenting high school and collegiate athletes who openly self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender and are “out” to their predominantly straight teammates and coaches.  Since then, I’ve photographed over 150 athletes across the United States and Canada for this series.  In 2006, I began exhibiting the project at various high schools and colleges as part of what I named the “Fearless Campus Tour”. So far, the project has been seen at over fifty college and high school campuses around the United States, as well as ESPN headquarters, the 2009 International LGBT Human Rights conference at GLISA World Outgames in Copenhagen, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and at Nike World Headquarters. I’m very happy to now bring it in an electronic format to Pride House during the Olympics.’

Les Johnson, co-chair of the Federation of Gay Games’ External Affairs committee, spoke of his own encounter with Jeff Sheng at the recent Nike LGBT Sport Summit: ‘Jeff is both talented and motivated in using his art as a tool for social change. In parallel with “Fearless Campus Tour”, he undertook a new project to portray closeted US military personnel under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. With regard to athletes, we know the difficulties of young people, and in particular young athletes, in coming out. Those shown in the exhibition are truly “fearless”. I’m very pleased that despite time and budget constraints, Jeff responded to my request to participate in Pride House by offering an electronic version of the exhibition, which we hope will inspire others to come out.’

Sheng added: ‘Beyond the pleasure of being part of the experience of the Olympics, this exhibition coincides with the relaunch of my website in view of my new project to turn “Fearless” into a book, like those I produced for my “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” series.’

More about Pride House 2012 at
http://pridehouse2012.org
 and
http://www.facebook.com/pridehouse2012

Learn more about “Fearless” at
http://www.fearlessproject.org

Support his Fearless book project HERE

European Commission supports Pride House 2012 exhibition

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European Union to support exhibition on gay sport at Pride House 2012
“’Against the Rules” features sport pioneers at the venue for LGBT people and friends at the London Olympics

Pride House 2012 is a project of Pride Sports UK, in collaboration with the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), the Federation of Gay Games, GLISA International, the LGBT Consortium, and the Pride House Foundation and aims to offer a welcoming space for all athletes, staff, spectators and friends of London 2012. Pride House 2012 will be open from 3 to 7 August at CA House in Limehouse Basin on the river Thames, with the Pride House 2012 festival continuing in various venues through 12 August, the day of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Lou Englefield, Executive Director of lead partner Pride Sports, explains how the exhibition fits the mission of Pride House 2012: “We want to offer a place for LGBT people and friends to meet, relax, and enjoy the London Olympic experience. But we also want this to be a learning experience and a resource for local and international visitors. An exhibition like ‘Against the Rules’ offers a particularly engaging and inspirational way to contribute to this educational mission.”

“Against the Rules” is made up of 37 panels related to homophobia and LGBT sport, including biographies of athletes like Amelie Mauresmo, Billie Jean King, David Kopay, Greg Louganis, Imke Duplitzer, Judith Arndt, Justin Fashanu and Tom Waddell. The exhibition is presented by the EGLSF with the financial support of the European Commission (DG Education and Culture) as part of the project coordinated by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation on “Preventing and Fighting Homophobic Violence in Sport”.

Lou Manders, co-president of the EGLSF spoke of the impact of the exhibition: “The exhibition was created several years ago; in 2010 the EGLSF produced an English version, which has since been presented across Europe at a variety of competitions, conferences, and other venues, for both an LGBT and ‘mainstream’ audience.” His co-president Armelle Mazé added: “It’s an effective mix of background information on the history of LGBT sport and individual portraits that inspire and move viewers. We thank Pride Sports for making this display at Pride House 2012 happen, and the European Union for financing this event.”

Press release: London Olympic Committee expresses support for Pride House 2012

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PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Lou Englefield, Director, Pride Sports UK
Email: lou@pridesports.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)7949 604610
Web: pridehouse2012.org
[ pdf of letter at:
http://gaymes.info/locogph2012
 ]
[ logo and other photos at:
http://gaymes.info/ph2012images
 ]
[ pdf of press release HERE ]

London, 16 July 2012

London Olympic Committee expresses support for Pride House 2012
Chief Executive Paul Deighton sees the venue as part of LOCOG’s commitment to diversity and inclusion

Pride House 2012 has received a warm letter of support (see below) from Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)”.

Mr Deighton writes: “As part of the legacy of the Games, we hope that our work across Diversity and Inclusion will have raised the bar for major sporting events and helped to increase the profile for [the] LGBT community in sport across the world. Hosting Pride House offers London and the UK a unique opportunity to present itself as a cosmopolitan and inclusive city and country which welcomes the world’s diverse communities and creates a safe sporting environment for LGBT athletes.”

Pride House 2012 is a project of Pride Sports UK, in collaboration with the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, the Federation of Gay Games, the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, the LGBT Consortium, and the Pride House Foundation and aims to offer a welcoming space for all athletes, staff, spectators and friends of London 2012. Pride House 2012 will be open from 3 to 7 August at CA House in Limehouse Basin on the river Thames, with the Pride House 2012 festival continuing in various venues through 12 August, the day of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Lou Englefield, Pride Sports UK Executive Director, stated: “ Pride Sports has been working with LOCOG London 2012 for the past three years on a variety of projects to improve the inclusion of LGBT people in organised sport. This message of support from Paul Deighton for Pride House, along with the ongoing support from Diversity and Inclusion Director Stephen Frost, is a great boost as we try to meet the challenge of relaunching Pride House in a limited timeframe.”

Armelle Mazé, co-president of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, described the Olympic connection to one of the highlights of Pride House 2012, the exhibition entitled “Against the Rules’. The exhibition, supported by the European Union, presents the history of LGBT sport through profiles of pioneering athletes: “Among those profiled are many Olympians, including of course Tom Waddell, the founder of the Gay Games, diver Greg Louganis, and others. Their Olympic status adds impact to the message of their life stories, and we are pleased to be able to present these portraits here during the Olympic Games.”

Marc Naimark, Federation of Gay Games Vice President for External Affairs, has been the lead contact between the FGG and LOCOG: “Our relations began thanks to Lou Englefield, and have been very productive. The FGG supported LOCOG’s launch of the rainbow Olympic pin, and their calls for LGBT volunteers and volunteer trainers, which have been quite successful. Just last weekend the FGG adopted language on diversity and inclusion in the operations of our host committees inspired by LOCOG policy. Of course, there is still a long way to go at future Olympics. For example, the FGG wholeheartedly supported the inclusion of a comprehensive LGBT page in the 2012 Olympics athlete guide, and this hasn’t happened. This would have been a great way for LGBT athletes to know they are not alone”

Paul Brummitt, Secretary of the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, said: “The Olympic movement proclaims the practice of sport as a human right. Pride House is a call to make that human right a reality for all, whatever their gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We want to welcome staff, suppliers, and volunteers from LOCOG to come and be part of Pride House 2012. We also hope to see representatives from the major international sporting bodies at Pride House. It will be an excellent opportunity to discuss how we can help to improve inclusion.

Scheduling for Pride House 2012 is in progress, and suggestions are welcome. Pride House 2012 welcomes all offers of help, whether financial, in kind, or for volunteers.

For more information about Pride House 2012, contact Lou Englefield: lou@pridesports.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7949 604610
Web: pridehouse2012.org

Letter of Support from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) for Pride House 2012

At LOCOG, we are delighted that Pride House will be taking place during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have aimed to make diversity and inclusion a key differentiator of our Games, celebrating the many differences among the cultures and communities of the United Kingdom and around the world. LOCOG is committed to embed equality throughout the organisation and ensuring that the London 2012 Games are truly inclusive.

As such, we are delighted to be taking part in the World Pride this Summer and would like to offer our support to all the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other athletes and individuals who will be involved and wish the organisers of the House the very best of luck in delivering a successful venue.

As part of the legacy of the Games, we hope that our work across Diversity and Inclusion will have raised the bar for
major sporting events and helped to increase the profile for LGBT community in sport across the world. Hosting Pride House offers London and the UK a unique opportunity to present itself as a cosmopolitan and inclusive city and country, which welcomes the world’s diverse communities and creates a safe sporting environment for LGBT athletes.

With kind regards,

Paul Deighton
Chief Executive

Lead partner:
Pride Sports, a social enterprise for the development of LGBT sport: pridesports.org.uk

Supporting partners:

EGLSF, the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, bringing together over 300 European LGBT sports: eglsf.info

“Against the Rules”, the EGLSF exhibition on LGBT sports pioneers: gaymes.info/againstherules

FGG, the Federation of Gay Games, the governing body of the Gay Games, the largest international sport and culture event open to all: pridehouse.gaygames.org

Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, the governing body of the World Outgames: glisa.org

LGBT Consortium (the Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Voluntary and Community Organisations) is a national specialist infrastructure and membership
organisation that focuses on the development and support of LGBT groups, organisations and projects: lgbtconsortium.org.uk
LGBT London, an online portal for LGBT Londoners with information about local LGBT organisations: lgbtlondon.com

Pride House Foundation, a foundation to raise awareness about homophobia in sport, encourage healthy and active lifestyles and promote diversity and inclusion on a global scale: pridehousefoundation.org

Press release: Pride House 2012 to welcome all during London 2012 Olympic Games

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Press release

Contact: Lou Englefield, Director, Pride Sports UK
Email: lou@pridesports.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)7949 604610
Web: pridehouse2012.org
(PDF version HERE)

London, 11 July 2012

Pride House 2012 to welcome all during London 2012 Olympic Games
A gay-friendly venue to relax, to learn, to share, along with dozens of associated sporting and leisure events

Pride Sports UK, in collaboration with the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, the Federation of Gay Games, the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, the LGBT Consortium, and the Pride House Foundation, is pleased to announce Pride House 2012, a welcoming space for all athletes, staff, spectators and friends of London 2012. Pride House 2012 will be open from 3 to 7 August at CA House in Limehouse Basin, with the Pride House 2012 festival continuing in various venues through 12 August, the day of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Pride House 2012 will celebrate sport for all while bringing together members and friends of the worldwide LGBT community to view live screenings of London 2012 and discuss relevant topics related to LGBT sport. The varied programme will also include live music from local LGBT organisations, exhibits, and video presentations, as well as an associated sports programme, including a Football v Homophobia football tournament.

Featured as part of Pride House 2012 will be an exhibition provided by Pride Sports UK and the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF) entitled “Against the Rules’, presenting the history of LGBT sport through profiles of pioneering men and women athletes.

Lou Englefield, Pride Sports UK Executive Director, stated: “Pride House 2012 will provide a welcoming space for all, from Olympic athletes to recreational sports enthusiasts and spectators. Our aim is to welcome everyone to learn more about the vibrant LGBT sport movement while celebrating the London games.”

Emy Ritt, Federation of Gay Games Co-President, added: “With the opening of Pride House 2012, we continue to build on the legacy of 1968 gay Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell, founder of the Gay Games, the largest international sporting event open to all. We are pleased that Pride House 2012 will showcase LGBT sport and culture and the many clubs and organisations that have been created as a result of the first Gay Games in 1982.”

Olympic speed skater and Gay Games Ambassador Blake Skjellerup stated: “My visit to Pride House during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics was a major influence on my public coming out, and the support I received after doing so was overwhelming. Yet there is still a lack of LGBT based role-models in sport. I believe it is important for everyone, and especially young people, to see that no matter whom you are or where you come from, you can still succeed and reach your highest levels. The legacy from the London Pride House 2012 for future Olympic Games will make a difference!”

Paul Brummitt, secretary of the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA International) expressed his satisfaction with the project: “Pride House 2012 will be a showcase for local clubs, as well as regional and international events such as the World and Continental Outgames, the Gay Games, and the EuroGames.”

Chad Molleken, chairman of the Pride House Foundation, stated: “Pride House 2012 will continue to build on what began in Vancouver, bringing together the entire community and allies. The Pride House Foundation aims to increase the number of role models in sport by supporting athletes, sports organisations and educational initiatives beyond 2012.”

Scheduling is in progress, and propositions are welcome. Pride House 2012 welcomes all offers of help, whether financial, value in kind, or volunteers.

For more information about Pride House 2012, contact Lou Englefield: lou@pridesports.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7949 604610
Web: pridehouse2012.org

Lead partner:
Pride Sports, a social enterprise for the development of LGBT sport: pridesports.org.uk

Supporting partners:

EGLSF, the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation, bringing together over 300
European LGBT sports: eglsf.info

“Against the Rules”, the EGLSF exhibition on LGBT sports pioneers:
gaymes.info/againstherules

FGG, the Federation of Gay Games, the governing body of the Gay Games, the largest
international sport and culture event open to all: pridehouse.gaygames.org

GLISA International, the governing body of the World Outgames: glisa.org

LGBT Consortium (the Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Voluntary
and Community Organisations) is a national specialist infrastructure and membership
organisation that focuses on the development and support of LGBT groups, organisations
and projects: lgbtconsortium.org.uk

LGBT London, an online portal for LGBT Londoners with information about local LGBT organisations: lgbtlondon.com

Pride House Foundation, a foundation to raise awareness about homophobia in sport,
encourage healthy and active lifestyles and promote diversity and inclusion on a global
scale: pridehousefoundation.org