Calgary to host North American Outgames in 2007

Calgary-based Apollo, Friends in Sports, will partner with GLISA-North America to host the inaugural North American Outgames in April of 2007. This event will see participants coming to Calgary from across North America and beyond to participate in sporting competitions, a cultural festival and a human rights conference.

Based on GLISA’s Outgames template, the North American Outgames will be similar in nature to the 1st World Outgames taking place July 26th – August 5th, 2006 in Montréal.

The 1st World Outgames is an international athletic and cultural event bringing together people from 120 countries of the world. Based on the principles of Participation and Celebration, Respect and Fairness, Innovation, Diversity and Empowerment (PRIDE), the games welcome everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, age, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, physical challenge, political beliefs, physical ability, athletic/artistic skills or hiv/health status.

There are no minimum athletic standards to qualify for the Outgames. The only requirement is the desire to support the ideals of the Outgames. People with specific needs or disabilities are integrated as full-fledged participants, volunteers, officials and spectators. By accepting the Outgames’ challenge, all Outgames participants become winners.

Apollo, Friends in Sports has been successfully hosting an annual invitational sporting event in Calgary, The Western Cup, for the past 24 years – one of the only gay and lesbian groups in North America to be able to make such a claim. 2007 is the 25th anniversary of Western Cup, and the Outgames will be a showcase for 25 years of pride and accomplishment for the Apollo organization and its members.

Apollo Western Cup Director and Calgary Outgames co-chair Brad Bostock says “This is a fantastic opportunity to show off Calgary and its community. This is our chance to add to the legacy that Western Cup has already established and show the diversity that Calgary has to offer”.

A former Calgarian himself, Thomas Kevin Dolan, Co-President of GLISA adds, “We are delighted to combine the history and tradition of the Western Cup with the legacy and innovation of GLISA and the Outgames. The Calgary Outgames will establish a high standard indeed for annual continental Outgames in North America leading up to the 2nd World Outgames in Copenhagen in 2009. And we are thrilled Calgary has picked up the torch to bring the continental version of the Outgames to life”.

Initial plans include eight sports, tentatively scheduled as badminton, ten-pin bowling, curling, ice hockey, running, squash, swimming, and volleyball. The footprint of the cultural festival is currently comprised of various music events, art exhibitions, and a film festival. The human rights conference will involve international keynote speakers who are experts in the field of human rights, and workshops involving the entire community. Various celebrations are planned throughout the week which will highlight Calgary’s hospitality, western heritage and diversity.

The events will be held during the week leading up to and including the Easter weekend in April 2007. Venues will be located primarily in the downtown core and at the University of Calgary.

For more information:

Brad Bostock, co-chair
brad@calgary2007.com
(403) 613-7012

Phil Ivers, co-chair
phil@calgary2007.com
(403) 540-3973


PRIDE CALGARY EMBRACES CHANGE

By Tawde Clarke, Pride Calgary Media/Outreach Coordinator

After a year of triumphs for the GLBT community on the national level, Pride Calgary’s Board of Directors have embraced the momentum of change and applied it to one of our city’s most dynamic festivals. This year’s Pride Festival promises excitement with new venues and entertainment for everyone from suburban families and single professionals to the bass chasing club kids and outrageous performers.

What better way to kick off the week than with a fantastic parade! It’s time to pick up and move from our tiny two lanes on 17th Avenue and hike our fabulous little butts a bit further downtown. On Sunday June 11th the parade will head along Stephen Avenue Walk for the first time! We’ll do a bit of history-making on Calgary’s historic main street. It’s a great chance to come out see our supporters, the cheeky floats, and possibly bump into the hunk you lost track of at the bar the night before.

After the parade make your way down to the street festival at Olympic Plaza, another new venue for this year’s Pride Festival. It’s a good opportunity to hook up with your crew and get acquainted with various GLBT organizations and businesses and celebrate Pride. We’ll feature live music, DJ’s and more. Oh, and don’t forget the ever popular beer garden located in a separate section of the park. Get primed or nurse a hangover and most importantly “Whoop it up!”

The grand finale of Pride Week of course is Xist 2006, the Pride Dance and cabaret. Come party with 2000 of your closest friends and take in the best in house, disco and pop with amazing sound, lighting and visuals. Join us at the Roundup Centre on Saturday June 17th. You don’t want to be the one girl in the pack that misses out.

Of course the Pride Festival would not happen without the support of our sponsors, so we must tip our hats to GayCalgary,com Magazine and CJSW. If you want to get involved with Pride Calgary as a volunteer or as a sponsor, visit our website at www.pridecalgary.ca

Thank You Calgary - D2 What a Success

By John Finlayson

Calgary has done it again by a landslide! Straight to Diva 2 held at the Calgary Eagle on March 25, 2006 was an overwhelming success. Once again this fundraising event for the HIV Peer Support Group played to a maximum capacity crowd. This event like so many depends on the spirit from which it is brought forth: to help improve the lives of those around us. I never cease to be amazed at the community and all Calgarians who give so generously.

This year the final tally raised was $6,135.00, this surpassed the first event of last year by over two thousand dollars!

I’d like to take this moment to thank all of the following for their donations to the auction items:

Izzo Bizo, La Fluer, The Bay, The Calgary Eagle, B&D Emporium, Momma G., Dave A., Wade D., Bill G., Kelly G., Dragon Spirit Designs, Lorna L., DJ, House of Curios, Aveda, ARGRA, 10th Avenue Antiques, Cakeworks, Hair 2000, Jim H., Intergretive Health, Lady Fawwn & Wolf, Kaadiki Designs, Priape, Mosaic Art & Gift Redkin, Steve R., Amiel W.

A very special thank you goes out to Jimmy & Annette for their countless hours gaining auction items.

For the support and generosity of our volunteers whom worked extremely hard to make the evening a success:

Linda, Wolf, Rob, Matt, DJ, Paul, Ian, Lorna, Joe, Curtis, Neal, Steve, Rita, Bill, Kelvin, Aaron, Mark, and Dave.

To our co-hosts: Michelle McDougal & Dyna Myte; for our other media sponsors: City TV & CFCN TV

A big thank you to the co-sponsors: The Calgary Eagle ( Ron & Barry ) and GayCalgary.com Magazine (Rob & Steve) and finally a HUGE thank you to our Divas “Lawrence, William and Scott” for putting themselves out there to support such a great cause.

We’re looking forward to next year to bring you a new event and show, for now take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Johnathan Finlayson
O/B HIV Peer Support Group