The European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation will host a one-day conference in Barcelona later this week, followed by the twelfth annual EuroGames.
The International Conference on Human Rights and Homophobia will focus on human rights and homophobia, and aims to work towards a climate in sports where people can be what they are, of their own free will, whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight.
Based on their sexual orientation, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender(LGBT) people are sometimes excluded, discriminated against, or forced to conceal an important part of their identities to avoid discrimination. Homosexual athletes may experience discrimination in all sports and at all levels of sport.
The all-day conference will be held on Thursday 24th July, at the INEFC Conference Hall in Barcelona. During the conference, the EGLSF will expose situations of discrimination and stigma to which many LGBT people are subjected, in Mediterranean countries and Eastern Europe.
Rights
Among those invited will be people directly linked to political groups, organizations, and sports clubs that fight for the defence of fundamental rights in these countries.
The conference will give the opportunity to discuss a joint 'Barcelona Declaration', learn about transgender people in Sport and learn about homophobia in football.
The conference will feature a simultaneous translation service and with an information area continued throughout the EuroGames. It will be open to the public and will be free.
The EuroGames will be opened at 9pm on the evening of the conference, and will run through to Sunday 27th July.
World Championships
Following on from the EuroGames, the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association World Championships will take place in London at the end of August.
Teams from 6 continents have signed up to take part in Men’s 11-a-side and Women’s 7-a-side competition.
The tournament will be complimented by a busy schedule of Social & Cultural events including; opening and closing ceremonies with live entertainment and speakers, discounted tourist activities, an exhibition looking into the history of gay football in the UK, nightly parties around London through partner venues, as well discounted shopping and dining experiences through partner businesses.
For more information on the London IGLFA World Championship visit the event's website.
