5 stars in a room
Operating a sporting club or team on the budget a glamorous boy or girl would use to prepare for a big night out sometimes means up close and personal takes on alarming perspectives.
Participants at major gay sports events range from the hardcore Gold or go home philosophy through a broad spectrum of abilities, ages, purposes to the other end of the competition spectrum: have a social hit around, do a few swims and enjoy the city, the people or special event parties and social functions.
Housing participants is perhaps the biggest headache when conducting an event, be it an intercity challenge or a Gay Games. So let’s take this column where it has never gone before -” into the bedrooms of a sporting event.
My house is awash with guests. They are all gorgeous to the point of threatening the stability and security I cherish from my eight year relationship with the most wonderful person I have ever known. The studio is home to two in the bed, two beside the bed (on some sort of thing that requires blowing prior to laying down for a night’s rest) and one amidst the fur-kids beds.
The row of shoes at the base of the staircase (it’s a no-shoes upstairs house) has created a Filipino gymnastics legend as Imelda does cartwheels of envy from the grave over the labels, colours, range and designs on offer.
The gorgeous straight boy is sleeping with the slightly older photographer, and will explain everything to his girlfriend when she arrives tonight. Two best friends are shacked up on the top floor enjoying city views. Apparently snoring is not a problem with earplugs -” labelled the most essential travel item when travelling en masse. The recycling bin overflows with bottles of every persuasion. The hands on the house clocks wax and wane as guests sway between punctuality and G-time.
Is it time for you to get involved with a sport, or Team Sydney itself, as it promotes a healthy, active lifestyle through sport in our community? Players, supporters and administrators are needed by clubs, and on committees and boards. Your expertise would be welcomed.
Who knows? You may develop a strategy to prevent the gay backpackers being a reality at future competitions, as older players like me struggle with hard floors, loud snores, and way too much information.
