Darwin to host 2014 Outgames
Darwin has won the bid to host the next Asia Pacific Outgames in 2014, the region’s largest gay sporting event.
More than 1000 participants plus their supporters are expected for the third Outgames.
The weeklong games will be held in May 2014 and are open to everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender.
Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association – Asia Pacific (GLISA-AP) president Kevin Haunui said he was confident Darwin would produce a successful Outgames which had been welcomed across the city’s community.
GLISA-AP host city liaison Barry Taylor said many countries in the region still denied LGBTI people equal human rights or acceptance.
“The Outgames provides the opportunity for a celebration of GLBT lives as well as to bring international attention to human rights issues facing GLBT people within our region,” Taylor said.
The second Outgames were held in Wellington, New Zealand in 2011.
I would be interested to know what other cities were “bidding” to host the Outgames and what criteria was used to determine that Darwin had won?
The Gay Games in Sydney in 2002 was the largest sporting event held in the region with 10,000 participants.
The 2014 Gay Games will be held August 9-16 in Cleveland + Akron, Ohio, USA where 10,000 participants are expected to take part in over 34 sports and cultural events.