The third World OutGames are still three years away, but Team San Francisco has already decided that it won’t be sending any representatives to the 2013 games in Antwerp, Belgium.
According to a press release from Team San Francisco, the organization will not support the 2013 games because it remains committed to the Gay Games, which began in the city in 1982. Since then the games have spanned the globe and brought LGBT athletes together every four years. The Gay Games will be in Cologne, German, July 31-Aug. 7 this year and the 2014 Gay Games will be in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Team San Francisco reaffirms its historical commitment to the long established and internationally recognized Gay Games as the preeminent quadrennial global LGBT multi-sport and cultural event,” the group said in a press release. “We believe unity behind the Gay Games is an effective and visible means of empowerment, and that continuation of the World OutGames would constitute a dilution of finite resources and a detriment to our community.”
There are no bylaws preventing teams from participating in both organized events and, at press time, no other groups had declared a boycott of the 2013 OutGames. Team San Francisco added that staging another World OutGames isn’t in the best interest of LGBT athletes.
“The Gay Games have changed thousands of lives across the globe every year they are held and are the best means we have available to come together in arts and athletics,” said Team SF President Tyler Cole. “The World OutGames gravely diminish that potential.”
The boycott came as a surprise to the World OutGames organizers. Rumors have circulated that the two games would merge in the future, but no details have been released.
“I wish to emphasize that Antwerp chose to organize the World OutGames because we strongly believe in its potential social, cultural and economic benefits,” said Geert Tengrootenhuysen, LGBT communication for the city of Antewerp. “I regret that whatever happened in the past has left the gay sports community divided. However, as the host of the World OutGames 2013, Antwerp will be welcoming everyone without exceptions. That includes Team San Francisco, whom I hope will reconsider [its] position and join us for what will be an amazing event, whatever name it may carry.
Factors cited by Team SF board members leading to their decision included a notable registration decline since the advent of the OutGamess in 2006, resources being stretched too thin to support multiple, competing events resulting in “tournament fatigue,” a desire to keep a mission focus on sports and culture rather than subsidizing conferences and parties, and Team SF’s historic ties to the Gay Games. According to OutSports.com, organizers of last year’s World OutGames in Copenhagen said they were unaware of the resistance to the games or the difficulties they created for LGBT sports organizations. Team SF said it wanted to make Antwerp aware of the situation well in advance.
“In every Gay Games since Vancouver 1990, the absolute Gay Games registration has reflected huge San Francisco Bay Area support,” pointed out Gene Dermody, Team SF Board Member. “Team San Francisco has been one of the first and strongest supporters of the FGG, often supplying crucial leadership, including about a dozen Team SF leaders who moved onto FGG leadership roles. I analyzed all of the registration databases from Vancouver on, and categorically, Bay Area registration has been anywhere from 10 percent to 15 percent of the total registration. This is a sizeable representation, and illustrates the power of Team San Francisco in promoting events.”
On a blog post responding to a story about the boycott on OutSports.com, Dermody added a little more background to his opinion.
“I personally cannot risk my reputation recommending something I feel is too risky,” he said, referring to the 2013 OutGames. “I also have an obligation to the boards I serve on to supply data and policy recommendations. I tried to support Copenhagen, and they lied to me (I did not know there were only 6 wrestlers until 3 weeks out!). Is honesty and data too much to ask?”
For more information on the OutGames, visit GLISA.org. For details on this year’s Gay Games, visit GayGames.com.
