Gay Games: opening ceremony of the 10th edition of “World of diversity”

Paris celebrated the kick–off of the 10th edition of the Gay Games, Saturday evening, for the first time, the French capital accommodates this week of sporting event to fight against discriminations and the stereotypes towards people LGBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transsexual).

More than 10,000 participants originating in 90 countries, of which some where homosexuality illegal or is repressed, have to take part in this go sporting militant intended to fight against the stereotypes and discriminations and hatred towards people LGBT+.

It is the first time that the Gay Games, created in 1982 in San Francisco, are organized in the French capital. This 10th edition was launched in this hot Parisian evening by an opening ceremony at the stage Jean–Bouin, in presence in particular of the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, of the Minister for the Sports Laura Flessel,   and of the dressmaker Jean–Paul Gaultier.

The evening was followed of a procession of the sportsmen, of which some were disguised and made up or agitated balloons and ribbons rainbow.

San Francisco opens the procession as it is the tradition, follow–up of New York and of the 50 other states, which constitute the Federation of the USA, cross the stage.

The applause is strong in front of the Russian sportsmen, as strong as represents their courage to take part in this kind of meetings taking into consideration discrimination whose they are the subject with the daily newspaper.

Agitation still with the 5 representatives of Algeria, the strong strong Chinese delegation, Angola or Saudi Arabia… Where to live its life simply can induce prison sentence and even lead to death.

Spanish, Norwegian, the Australian ones, the Ukrainians, the Belgians, Rumanian and much of others benefit from their happiness. Photographs of groups or selfies. The halts are numerous like stopping time, to make last the pleasure, to be there, together… and time is stretched…

The applause is strong in front of the 2336 French sportsmen, who start to press the stage. The spectators upright, French époumonent themselves. The tears appear on the faces.

This demonstration, which proceeds every four years, gathers sportsmen come from the whole world and all sexual orientations, without distinction. More than 10,000 participants in the program, 36 tests organized in any Paris like swimming, the athletics, football or tennis, will be held all the week in the 67 sites located in Ile–de–France, and in Le Havre for tests of veil.

This welcoming atmosphere is found in front of the Town hall. On the square, a true Olympic village was established. Between two concerts, the participants cross discuss, laugh, sing etc the principle is to invite everyone to celebrate the differences.

“At the beginning, “this event” was created to fight against discriminations in the sport, to make move mentalities, to break the stereotypes which one can have”, explains Pascale Reinteau, coprésidente Gay Games. “There are also men who make synchronized swimming, of the same couples sex which make dance, figure skating etc It is an event open to everyone.”

And by breaking the codes, by including more diversity in the disciplines, the Gay Games want to also show the example with all the professional sports. According to an Australian study, 19% of homosexual and 9% of the lesbians questioned stated to have undergone “of physical violences” on sports grounds.

Nearly 9,500 people in majority LGB (lesbians, gays and bisexual) were questioned for this study carried out on the initiative of the organizing committee of an international tournament of gay Rugby in Sydney. Most between them come from Australia, of Great Britain, of Ireland, of New Zealand and the United States. Approximately 19% of homosexual and 9% of the lesbians questioned stated to have undergone “of physical violences” while 27% of homosexual and 16% of the lesbians evoked verbal threats.

The sporting village was inaugurated Saturday morning on the square of the Town hall, where then took place the International Memorial Rainbow Run, a race dedicated to the victims of the AIDS, breast cancer and discriminations.

Each competition will be disputed by groups of level, but all the sportsmen will see themselves giving a medal. “We want to promote the going beyond oneself rather than the victory at all costs”, explained Pascale Reinteau, coprésidente event.

Throughout the week, animations citizens, sporting and cultural, opened with all will be organized on the square of the Town hall, window of this event equipped with a budget of 4 million euros. It is also there that will take place the closing ceremony on August 11th, which will be followed one evening to the Docks of Paris.

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