In February of 2004 the members of the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA) held a conference that developed the World OutGames, a queer Olympics that would unify people from all sexual orientations with the common love of sport. This year Canada is privileged to be hosting the first International OutGames in Montreal, Quebec. In Calgary we will be hosting the very first North American OutGames in partnership with Apollo as a new look to the western Cup, is celebration of its 25th year.
The idea behind the North American OutGames is to have a three tier approach to both the culture of the transidentified, bisexual, lesbian and gay community, and the culture of Calgary. The organizers of the event are taking a holistic approach to it by focusing on mind, body and soul. One of these streams is OutFest, a gathering of queer and trans performers and artists to showcase the talent our communities hold, and to give Calgary another claim to fame than just the Stampede.
Currently the committee is finalizing performers from across Canada and within our own Province. They already have space to work with, which is normally one of the biggest hindrances to such an event. The Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts will be providing several of the theatres there to host the week long festivities. Each night will have something new; a new face, perhaps one we are familiar with, to entertain, delight and captivate us. There will be a night of comedy, a night of dance, a film festival and a youth showcase. The youth showcase is to allow access for our often overlooked and forgotten queer and trans youth under the age of eighteen.
Along with the theatre events the committee is seeking art space in the downtown area. They will be showcasing art, once again, from both international and local artists. During the art showcases they will also hold several contests. Submissions will be accepted from anyone who wants to participate, and thinks they can. The contests, currently in the works, will be for photography, film, music and visual arts.
The organizers are all very excited to be the first to take on such a task. Brad Bostock, the executive director of the OutGames, told me that they did look to Montreal a bit when planning the event, but that it will still be something truly unique. The committee is trying to fight the idea that Calgary is losing its gay community by showing off who we are. They are focusing largely on culture, specifically that queer culture isn’t just about the bar, and Calgary culture isn’t just about the Stampede. They want to give us a sense of the phenomenal talent here and elsewhere in the country. Many of our locals have copious amounts of talent that might go unnoticed without a single unified community. OutFest is a chance to change something, a chance to show us just what we’ve got, who we are and where we can go. The possibilities are limitless and Brad, along with the rest of the OutGames crew, wants to show everyone just how vibrant we really are.

Visit www.calgary2007.com for details and updates.