Conferences

The FGG believes that the organization of one or more conferences in conjunction with the Gay Games is highly desirable for a variety of reasons, including:

Engaging partners and institutions: A conference can be an excellent way of promoting partnerships with local, national and international institutions that can in turn promote the success of the overall event
Funding: Entities (businesses, governments, foundations, etc.) that might not otherwise fund the sports or cultural program can be motivated to support a conference, depending on the theme of the conference; this can then allow for conference participants to participate in the full range of events offered
Cover for visa applications: Participants in the sports and culture problems who come from countries where they are subject to homophobic discrimination may not be able to apply for a visa to an event marked as “gay” or “LGBT”, etc.; for such participants, a conference, in particular one associated with health issues, may provide a “cover” for their visa application and other dealings at home

Bidders are strongly encouraged to partner with experienced third parties for the organization of any conference. Conferences should encourage participation from participants in the Gay Games sport and culture programs.

The term “conferences” includes a variety of types of event, including:

academic conferences
workshops
seminars
participatory events

The subject of conferences may include:

Corporate and workplace issues
Sports science and issues (including gender identity, performance enhancing drugs, grassroots sport, sport for all, homophobia in sport, youth and coaching…)
LGBT cultural actions, and LGBT culture
The LGBT sport and culture movement (history, perspectives, challenges…)
Human rights (in particular access to sport, homophobia in sport, discrimination in sport…)

Past Gay Games conferences include: