World Outgames 2009's Blog

Disappointment

worldoutgames2009 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:49:01 +0000

During the week of World Outgames 2009 I have seen so many happy people walking around and taking part in everything going on around them. From the outside it all looked great with everyone living together in harmony and celebrating together.
After the Outgames had finished I did hear some stories about participants that were disappointed about various things. I would like to know if you have had a disappointing experience during the week and why that is?

Physical activity through the body

worldoutgames2009 — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:35:23 +0000

Being physical active is essential for living a healthy live. Doing sport in a setting like World Outgames is an extension to that. Performing to ones maximum capacity in a sport is going for the win and also having fun. How do you feel when using your body to achieve something, like scoring a goal in a soccermatch or doing a doubble axel in figure skating, having the crowd go crazy after your performance? How does that feel?

The 3rd category for transsexuals

worldoutgames2009 — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:38:44 +0000

How does that work? you might ask. That is a very good question, and I know, for some it didn’t work out. The 3rd category was meant to be a group for athletes who didn’t feel comfortable being placed in either the female or male competitions. I have heard very little of this group but at the same time I am very interested in knowing how transsexuals experienced this 3rd category. I would like to know good and bad. So if you are a part of this group or know someone who is, please tell me all about how everything went during the Outgames. I will possibly use this theme for an article to place focus on transsexuals, and it will be completely anonymous. Thank you.

Pride march and public recognition

worldoutgames2009 — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:58:45 +0000

I was wondering what it feels like to be a part of the pride march that took place at the very last day of the World Outgames week. I was watching it and enjoying it, still surprised and amazed of the costumes and creativity that people provided to create a great atmosphere through the city of Copenhagen.
I was also wondering why we have a pride march. Is it because there is a need for public recognition, is it just for fun and to have a party or what are the reasons?? I hope that you can enlighten me on this topic.

Homophobia, taboo and discrimination

worldoutgames2009 — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:47:52 +0000

As you may know, there were a few incidents of hate crimes during the Would Outgames week in Copenhagen. I do not know the reasons for these acts and I am sad that it happened when we were supposed to have a joyful and happy week together. I guess some people do not accept other people to be different and that could potentially be the reason for acting this strongly. I would like to know if you have experienced any homophobia or discrimination while being part of the Outgames and perhaps tell me your suggestions on how it would be possible to remove LGBT persons from being a taboo in public settings.

Cross pollination

worldoutgames2009 — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:43:49 +0000

I discovered during the Outgames week that there were cases of cross pollination in the sports events. A friend of mine told me about the figureskating and the country western partcipants, and how both groups got inspired to watch and cheer for each other but also “hang out” and learn from each other after the competitions were over. I guess I wasn’t really that surprised, it just made me very happy to see that this was the case. I do hope that more groups of people from different sports have interacted with other sports groups, being it individual or team sports and I would like to know more about how you came to interact with them and what you have learned about them and their sports. I hope that your replies can help me get in insider view of why this event was necessary and what you have taken home from the event.

Getting to Outgames

worldoutgames2009 — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:06:11 +0000

I have talked to many of you about your way to Copenhagen last summer. You all have very different stories and I find them most interesting because they tell me what a diversity of people we have gathered from all over the world.

My own story is nothing compared to yours but I will attemtp to tell it anyways. It started in the fall of 2007 where I had to do a school project. After many half decent tries to get a project I thought would be interesting, I found World Outgames and I thought “Yes” this sounds great, just what I wanted to work with.
After finishing my project I got hired as a student worker in the sports department and I am happy that I took the job. It has given me so much experience about working in a dynamic team with deadlines all the time and a massive project to finish off with in the end.
Before I started working at the Outgames secretariat I didn’t really know anything about being gay, lesbian or any of the other definitions you so proudly present yourself as. It was a completely new world for me. So at first I was chocked. Mostly because there was another type of freedom of speech than I was used to from other jobs I have had, but also because we all accepted each other for who we were.
I will never forget this experience and how I got to be a part of this, I have learned a great deal about myself and how to act and respond in different situations when confronted with serious issues. I have definitely grown as a person and have become much more aware of other people and how they live their lives.

Now you have read some of my thoughts about me “Getting to Outgames”, I would very much like to hear your story. Thank you

Opening Ceremony

worldoutgames2009 — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:22:53 +0000

I have a feeling that of all the people, that were present at the opening ceremony at City Hall Square in Copenhagen in July last summer, have their own personal experience of the show. The different performances from entry and presentation of all the countries, dance, acrobats, RAIN, Annisette’s World Outgames song, Fagget Fairies and much more.
I know that my experience standing in the audience was completely amazing. I was blown away by the show and touched to tears when Denmark, as the last country, appeared on stage. The rain comming down was indescribable, like silver confetti falling from the sky while the music was playing “Love is in the air”. WOW!!
Those are just a few of my special moment at the opening ceremony, I would love to know yours!!

Thesis about World Outgames

worldoutgames2009 — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:50:58 +0000

I am a student in Humanistic and Social Sports Science at Copenhagen University. I am working on my final thesis about World Outgames in Copenhagen. I would love to get some of the participants comments and responses to my blog posts. So please feel free to share your thoughts and points of view with me.