Sports

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World OutGames Miami Cancels Almost All Sporting Events as Fraud Investigation Opens

The organizers of the World OutGames that were scheduled to begin in Miami May 26, have abruptly announced the cancellation of the majority of the sporting events.

The Board of Directors of World OutGames made the announcement Friday by email and on Facebook: “It is with deep regret that due to financial burdens, World OutGames must cancel opening and closing ceremonies and sports programming with the exception of aquatics, country western dance and soccer. The Human Rights Conference and cultural programs will continue as planned. We thank everyone who has supported the effort and apologize to those who will be impacted by this difficult decision.”

The Washington Blade reported that LGBT athletes from around the world were expected to take part in the games that were scheduled to take place through June 4. OutGames Miami organizers in their email said a human rights conference that began on Friday in Miami Beach and “cultural programs will continue as planned.”

“We thank everyone who has supported the effort and apologize to those who will be impacted by this difficult decision,” said the organizers.

However, in a post earlier today the City of Miami Beach along with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and the Miami Beach Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce announced they had worked with the event’s logistics organizers to restore many of the events that were planned.

The post read:

“In the last 24 hours alone, the Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department was able to confirm and staff:
Field Hockey tournament in the Flamingo Park soccer field on Monday, May 29 through Wednesday, May 31
Soccer Finals in the Flamingo Park Stadium on Friday, June 2;
and relocated the Indoor Basketball tournament to the Scott Rakow Youth Center on Sunday, May 28 through Monday, May 29.

“City staff is working with the regular Lummus Park beach volleyball community to keep and manage the volleyball tournament as scheduled at the 7th Street volleyball courts from Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2.

“In addition, the city and GMCVB are welcoming all registered athletes and their families to a reception Wednesday night, May 31, at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden to express the true nature of Miami Beach hospitality.

“The city is extremely proud of our business and cultural partners, which have stepped up to offer free and discounted admission and services to all OutGames attendees. The list of such partners includes the Miami Design and Preservation League, the Palace Bar, the Gaythering Hotel and the Gay Men’s Chorus, which offered free admission to all OutGames attendees to their performance last night at the city’s Colony Theater.

“Thank you Miami Beach.”

The Miami New Times reported Miami Beach Police and the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office have opened a fraud investigation into World OutGames.

“Due to the potential misappropriation of funds, the Miami Beach Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office have conferred and are jointly opening a fraud investigation,” City Spokesperson Melissa Berthier announced.

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Registration Underway for World OutGames Miami

World Out Games 3Registration is well underway with sports enthusiasts from more than 40 countries ready to compete during World OutGames Miami 2017, a 10-day event that will bring to life 30 sports and 400 events across the areas of Sport, Culture and Human Rights.  Making its U.S. debut, the Games will welcome thousands of athletes, participants, spectators and thought leaders from around the globe as they converge on Miami May 26 through June 4, 2017.

“We are proud to bring World OutGames to the United States as a global statement of unity, inclusiveness and healthy competition,” said Ivan Cano, CEO of World OutGames Miami. “There is still time to register for this life changing experience which will inspire, motivate and celebrate the human spirit through its three pillars – Sports, Culture and Human Rights.”

World OutGames Miami registration is available online at outgames.org. The comprehensive registration package includes admission to the highly-anticipated Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Marlins Park, access to OPEN sports and culture events, access to Festival Village and much more.

Every four years, World OutGames brings together LGBTQI athletes, many from countries where homosexuality remains illegal and hidden. In the spirit of true inclusiveness, the World OutGames are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation. Registration is open to anyone 18 and older; however, a specific youth program for those between the ages of 14-17 will be coordinated in partnership with Pridelines Youth Services, a Miami based not-for-profit which offers a safe place for LGBTQI youth, adults and allies.

In addition to 30 competitive sports and a variety of cultural events, the Games will also feature the Global Conference on Human Rights, a three-day event (May 26-29) headlined by a distinguished roster of notable activists, thought leaders and community figures promoting inclusivity in sports, health & wellness and global social justice.

World OutGames Miami is made possible through the support of Bacardi, the City of Miami Beach, Coca-Cola, Florida Sports Foundation, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Happy Copenhagen, the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and Miami Sports.

Organizations and business that are interested in supporting World OutGames Miami are encouraged to contact [email protected]. For more information about World OutGames Miami, visit www.outgames.org.

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This Brazilian Gold Medal Winning Olympic Judo Champion Just Came Out as Gay

 

A gold medal-winning Brazilian judo champion has come out publicly as gay in an interview during the Rio Olympics.

Rafaela Silva, who won the country’s first gold medal at Rio 2016, came out publicly in the interview with Globo Sports after winning her medal.

She hit the headlines when winning the first medal for Brazil at the 2016 games, after failing to secure a medal at London 2012, but none mentioned her sexual orientation.

Rafaela

Outsports reports that two journalists have confirmed that Silva is in a relationship with Thamara Cezar, and that Silva had not spoken about her relationship in interviews about her medal, but that she regularly posts photos of the pair together on Instagram.

The account is full of pictures of the couple and messages like “you do not exist without me.”

In the interview with Globo Sports, Silva discusses that Cezar is her press agent and social media manager as well as her girlfriend, and that the couple have three “kids”, their dogs.

Brazil's first gold medal-winner at Rio came out publicly as gay (Image; Getty - under licence)

The Olympian also thanks Cezar for being the for her during her training.

“She was there every day and knew how I was feeling, when I was sick when I wasn’t,” Silva said. “Everything I needed, she was there to do it,  so she is also very important in this victory.”

Silva rose from Rio’s City of God slum and faced racism on her rise to becoming an Olympian.

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NBA will Consider New All-Star Game Host City’s Record on LGBT Rights

 

The NCAA is sending a questionnaire about potential discrimination laws to organizers in cities that will be or are hoping to host sanctioned college sports events.

The NCAA board of governors’ decision comes a day after the NBA announced it would pull its All-Star Game from Charlotte, North Carolina, because of its objections to a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.

NCAA leaders had expressed opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March. The association’s announcement Friday came less than a month after state legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.

The NCAA said in a statement the new requirement will be for sites hosting or bidding on events in all divisions.

At the 2015 Final Four in Indianapolis, the NCAA, led by President Mark Emmert, took a strong stand against an Indiana state law that the association and other critics said allowed for discrimination against LBGT people. The NCAA threatened to move future events, including this year’s women’s basketball Final Four. The law was eventually modified.

The board in April adopted a requirement for host sites to demonstrate “how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination and also safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event.” The questionnaire is intended to bolster that requirement.

Now North Carolina is facing similar pressure from businesses and the NCAA as Indiana was last year.

The NCAA has already booked sites for championship events and tournaments through the 2017-18 season, including numerous in North Carolina.

The Division I women’s College Cup in December is set for Cary. Greensboro is scheduled to host early round men’s basketball tournament games in 2017 and Charlotte is set to host first- and second-round games in 2018.

The survey has 10 questions and the NCAA is asking hosts and potential future host to return to the association by Aug. 12. There are 10 questions, including:

Has your city, county/parish, and/or state passed anti-discrimination laws that are applicable to all persons?

Does your city, county/parish and/or state regulate choice of bathrooms or locker rooms that may affect student-athletes, coaches, administrators, or game officials during the Event?

In light of the Laws, Regulations or Policies applicable to the locations that seek to host NCAA Championships, how would you provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination, plus safeguards the dignity of everyone involved with the Event?

As part of your answer, please provide specific references to prior, hosted events or other tangible examples.

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World OutGames Miami launches early registration for 2017 games

 

World Out Games logoMIAMI, Fla. – World OutGames Miami, the 10-day event that will bring to life 34 sports and more than 450 events across the areas of Sport, Culture and Human Rights, has launched advanced registration. Thousands of athletes, participants, spectators and thought leaders from around the globe will converge on Miami for World OutGames IV to be held Friday, May 26 through Sunday, June 4, 2017.

“We’re excited to bring World OutGames to the United States for the first time as a global expression of inclusiveness and healthy competition,” said Ivan Cano, chief executive officer of World OutGames Miami. “We encourage people to register now for this transformative experience, which will challenge our athletes physically, stimulate attendees intellectually and enliven spectators emotionally.”

Registration is available online at outgames.org. Athletes who register before September 1, 2016 can save $100 USD. The comprehensive registration package includes credentials, welcome bag, admission to Opening and Closing Ceremonies, official shirt, access to OPEN sports and culture events and souvenir program book, participation medal, transportation pass, and unlimited access to Festival Village.

Every four years, World OutGames brings together LGBT athletes, many from countries where homosexuality remains illegal and hidden. In the spirit of true inclusiveness, the World OutGames are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation. Registration is open to anyone 18 and older. However, a specific youth program for those between the ages of 14-17 will be coordinated in partnership with Pridelines Youth Services, a Miami based not-for-profit which offers a safe place for LGBT youth, adults and allies.

World OutGames Miami is building momentum with the support of the Florida Sports Foundation, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, City of Miami Beach and Miami Sports.

For more information about World OutGames Miami, visit www.outgames.org.

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Mexican Football Stars Take Stand Against Anti-gay Chants

 

A host of stars have spoken out against homophobic chanting by fans.

The Mexican Soccer Federation has launched a campaign urging fans to refrain from anti-gay chants after drawing fines from FIFA earlier this year.

 The campaign – called ‘Embraced by Soccer’, – consists of a number of 30-second videos in which popular stars including Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, Rafael Marquez and Andres Guardado tell fans to avoid discriminatory behaviour.

However, it seems the fight for equality in the world of Mexican football may be a long one after the campaign was announced hours before Mexico hosted Canada in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Fans at the capital’s Azteca Stadium made the chants throughout the match, even though the message was played for the crowd before the game and at halftime, according to Latin Times.

In a statement, the soccer federation said the videos aim to discourage “a practice that is contrary to respect and the dignity of people.”

“For us, as a federation, this is a chant that we do not like. We have recognised that some people have interpreted it as a homophobic exclamation,” Guillermo Cantu – the federation’s secretary-general – said.

“We do not believe that the fans mean it in that way – they come to have fun and nothing more,” he added.

“Nevertheless, we do think there are better ways of expressing enthusiasm and even messing with the opponent to put pressure on him.”

In January, Mexico was among six South American countries to receive a fine from FIFA for homophobic slurs during World Cup qualifiers throughout 2015.

Throughout last summer’s World Cup, supporters filled stadiums with chants of “iPuto!”during their team’s matches, most of which were broadcast worldwide.

“Puto” is a word for “male prostitute” that is often used as a gay slur in Mexico.

Many Mexico fans are upset that other countries claim the word is a gay slur; they say it is just another word, claiming cultural ignorance.

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has previously defended supporters, saying the use of the word is “not that bad.”

“We’re with our fans. It’s something they do to pressure the opposing goalkeeper,” he claimed.

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Stompers Re-sign Openly Gay Pitcher

Right-handed pitcher Sean Conroy, perhaps the most celebrated player in the short history of the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, has agreed to terms on a contract that will bring him back to Sonoma for the 2016 season, the team’s General Manager, Theo Fightmaster said.

“Sean is a guy we were lucky to have last season, and we’re even luckier to have him come back to Sonoma,” Fightmaster said. “We know what he’s capable of – being one of the best pitchers in the league – and that puts us in a very good spot heading into the season.”

Conroy enjoyed a historic 2015 season, and was voted the Pacific Association’s top defensive pitcher, as well as being named league’s top relief pitcher.

The 23-year-old Clifton Park, New York, product pitched in 22 games for Sonoma, and Fightmaster said he was outstanding in his first year of professional baseball. The rookie had a 5-3 record with a 2.70 ERA, including 10 saves (second in the league among qualified pitchers), and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 52-15. Opposing batters hit just .192 against him with a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 0.950, tops in the league among pitchers who pitched at least 20 innings.

Fightmaster said the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Conroy was a true asset to the Stompers, pitching in a variety of roles. In addition to his four starts, Conroy appeared out of the bullpen 18 times, earning three wins along with his 10 saves. In the second half of the season, Conroy was used in a “fireman’s” role, pitching multiple innings of relief after coming in at the game’s most critical point – not simply in the final inning.

When opposing hitters put the ball in play against Conroy, their luck didn’t change much. They accumulated a meager .202 batting average in those at-bats. His component ERC was 1.986. (ERC is a baseball statistic invented by famed baseball statistician Bill James, and attempts to forecast a pitcher’s earned run average from the number of hits and walks allowed rather than the standard formula of average number of earned runs per nine innings.) Using that metric, Conroy was the second best pitcher in the Association, and best among pitchers who pitched more than 20 innings.

Conroy garnered international attention in late June becoming the first openly gay active professional baseball player. Conroy at that time made his first career start on the team’s Pride Night in spectacular fashion, pitching a complete game shutout against the Vallejo Admirals, allowing only three hits and striking out 11, leading the Stompers to a 7-0 victory in front of a packed house, hordes of reporters and television cameras.

“I’m happy I will have a chance to continue my career in Sonoma with the Stompers,” Conroy said. “Last year was so much fun, and such a great experience. My hope is that this year the team can improve on our success from last season and finish what we started.”

The Stompers finished the 2015 season with their second winning record in as many years, going 44-33. In the franchise’s inaugural campaign in 2014, Sonoma boasted a 42-36 record.

The Stompers open the season May 31, and start their home season in Sonoma on Tuesday, June 7, at 6 p.m. against the Vallejo Admirals.

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‘Religious liberty’ Bill Jeopardizes Atlanta Super Bowl Bid

If Georgia chooses to turn the “religious liberty” bill into law, be prepared: Atlanta may not get a Super Bowl.

That was the suggestion from the NFL on Friday when the league released a statement in response to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s question about whether the league had any position on Georgia House Bill 757.

The statement from league spokesman Brian McCarthy reads, “NFL policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard. Whether the laws and regulations of a state and local community are consistent with these policies would be one of many factors NFL owners may use to evaluate potential Super Bowl host sites.”

Falcons owner Arthur Blank has hoped to land multiple Super Bowls in the team’s new stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2017. The NFL has previously moved a Super Bowl from Arizona to the Rose Bowl near Los Angeles in the 1992 season after that state refused to recognize the Martin Luther King holiday.

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Nike Is Preparing To Drop Manny Pacquaio

 

TMZ Sports reports that Nike has pulled its Manny Pacquaio line of branded sportswear from its website in preparation for cutting ties with the anti-LGBT champion boxer. They write:

Multiple sources tell TMZ Sports … Nike is preparing to cut ties with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao after his latest round of anti-gay comments.

The two sides have had a relationship since at least 2006 — but we’re told Nike is particularly disturbed after Pacquiao said gay people are “worse than animals” … and intend to drop the boxer for good.

We’re told the move is not official yet — but there have been multiple discussions and we’re told it appears to be heading in that direction. We reached out to Manny’s rep — so far, no comment.

Nike’s Pacquaio line includes footwear, jerseys, hoodies, t-shirts and other items.

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Levelling the Playing Field for LGBT Athletes

The opening matches of the Six Nations rugby championship this week offered the latest occasion to see our athletic heroes compete at sport’s highest level. It also heralded the start of another major sport competition without open LGBT athletes.

By even the most conservative estimates, there could be close to a dozen LGBT athletes in this competition – a small percentage still of the total number of LGBT athletes in sport – yet they remain invisible heroes on the field of play. This lack of visibility and acceptance are problems across sport where discrimination lingers and perpetuates an environment out of step with the mores of our broader culture.

Despite the increasing acceptance of the LGBT community, LGBT athletes and fans are still cruelly distanced from the full embrace of the community around sport. While other elements of society are beginning to realise the tangible and intangible benefits of LGBT inclusion, sport is far from an inclusive industry where all LGBT individuals are accepted and free to bring their whole selves to work. Everyone loses in this arrangement.

Still, in light of the advancements throughout society, I remain optimistic and believe with continued effort we’re nearing a tipping point for LGBT acceptance in sport. What is needed now is a strong and high profile push by the businesses around sport to end LGBT discrimination once and for all.

This week, I joined an unprecedented coalition of athletes, sponsors, rights holders and LGBT allies at the Team Pride conference to work within sport to foster an LGBT inclusive environment. The group includes some of the biggest sponsors and professional clubs in sport, which maintain real influence over the practices of the teams they support.

The global sport sponsorship market is estimated to be valued at $45billion, with sponsors of international rugby union, for example, spending more than £125million on the sport last year. These sponsorship agreements may provide the sponsors with special access to unique assets and highly desirable audiences, but they also present the risk of aligning their people, business and brand with organisations that do not reflect their corporate principles.

The corporate world has seen that LGBT inclusivity enables them to attract and retain top talent and win the business and loyalty of discerning consumers. Inclusive organisations also innovate and adapt more quickly in changing times. It is time that the experiences of corporate sponsors inside their own organisations on LGBT issues translate into more inclusive sponsorship agreements and for good reason.

It is in the best interest of sponsors to get out in front of this issue. Attitudes toward inclusivity and acceptance are shifting quickly and sponsors that do not lead on LGBT inclusivity risk finding themselves left behind with the very clients and consumers they are trying to reach through their sport sponsorships.

Creating an environment that is safe and empowering for LGBT athletes should be a top priority for all stakeholders involved in sport. We must commit to levelling the playing field. Only once all athletes can bring their full selves to the field of play will we be able to see our sport heroes for who they really are.

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