The 10th edition of the Gay Games is closed Sunday in Paris. The occasion to introduce athletes who made solidarity their more great victory.
They do not do the one of the newspapers, are not recognized in the street, when well even they raise several medals around the neck. There is not their destiny, and they make fun about it well. Since August 4th, Paris accommodates the 10th edition of the Gay Games and more than 10,000 athletes.
At the edge of the track of athletics of the Charléty stage, Jean–Pierre Grasland, French icon of the athletics in world LGBT are requested of all shares, it must run for all to supervise a little everywhere. Not easy to catch it with the flight to speak a few minutes. Jean–Pierre Grasland, 55 years, is not member of the Steering Committee of the Gay Games, but, with good to look at there, it is a personality essential to the good progress of the tests of athletics.
In the heat of the Charléty stage, the French takes part in his tenth Games of diversity. He did not flunk the least edition since 1998. Determined on the track, Jean–Pierre Grasland outwards devotes his energy to support other athletes confronted with the obstacles of the life. “I registered with the Gay Games of the homosexual runners without papers which live very difficult moments. I have responsibility towards them. And that exceeds the framework of the athletics. I become a person implied in their combat. ” A discrete emotion is read then on its face.
“It is very rare that a man of my age has his place, spent 35 years, it is difficult to be integrated, he concedes. During the Gay Games, and overall to each competition LGBT, I can run one 100 m, jump of the hedges then to go to launch the weight without one taking to me for insane even if with the Gay Games, it acts of a throw of handbag, which is very funny. This show represents a pleasure, it proves that we are human and social; an example which shows that we know to live together in the company. ” There is not a test of athletics to which this accustomed Gay Games was not tested in its career.
Gabriel takes part the Gay Games proof. Originating in Romania, Gabriel takes part for the first time this year in the Gay Games in Paris. Arrived to France in 2004 it found “joy and life”, and in 2005, it meets Philippe in Paris where they live a true life of couple together. At the time of these games, it gained a money medal for France, country for which it took part.
Doctor, integrated well in the company, it was not afraid to be badly understood, it even explained to the family that it was gay. “Once I was accepted like gay by the family, they still showed me the love and visited me to France.” My brother, my mother, my father or of the parents understand that a doctor who has a different sexual orientation, succeeded in showing that he is not a mentally ill, as considers it the Rumanian company.
In Romania a person on ten in community LGBT has the courage to announce her sexual orientation. The fear and the shame of their family or discrimination and the homophobia which they bring in a country considered as democratic, show today that Romania does not follow the human rights as a member country of the European Union, but aligns itself on corruption. Homosexuality rest taboos in Romania.
In Russia, homosexuality was regarded a crime and as a mental illness until 1999. Since 2013, a law in addition punishes fines and prison sentences any act of homosexual “propaganda” near the minors. “For certain Russians, gay being is abnormal, immoral, it is almost a disease”. However, Vladimir* succeeded in gaining the bronze medal for Russia, but it fears to be discovered by the family since her arrival in Paris.
“It does not remain me any more that to benefit from these extremely marvellous moments lived here at the time of the Gay Games, I do not regret… I am very strong to cope with an obstacle after my return to the country.”
*Le first name was modified.
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