Sports

Fair Play For Gays - Homophobia Alive And Well In Sport

A new report has found homophobia continues to run rampant in sports with over 45 per cent of LGBT athletes having experienced some form of verbal abuse.

Victoria University worked with Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) to survey 293 LGB and 14 transgender sportspeople to produce the ‘Come Out to Play’ report. (more…)

Sport Shorts - July

Wins and Losses for Convicts
Australia’s only gay rugby union team the Sydney Convicts narrowly lost the prestigious Bingham Cup title last month but took home the Bingham Bowl. Held in the US town of Minneapolis, the Cup’s grand final was close but the New York Gotham Knights just edged out the Australian side in an 18-15 loss, the Convicts webpage said. However, the Convicts B-side played a confident Grand Final and took out the Bingham Bowl in a 10-7 win against the Washington Renegades. Both Convicts’ sides held significant leads throughout the competition, winning 10 out the 12 games played. (more…)

Sapphic Trampers Launch New Website

The ‘Trampers’ were started in October 2001 by a newly-out woman who wanted to meet other women who felt more at home in the bush than at the pub. She placed an ad in Women out West magazine asking interested women to call her, and in October 2001 a group of about 10 lesbians went for a 12 km bushwalk in Mundaring. Thus the Sapphic Trampers were born.

About six years ago, the Trampers evolved to being organised by a group of dedicated volunteers. They have planned, coordinated and run a wonderful variety of outdoor experiences as diverse as multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track, short and long day walks in the Perth hills and metropolitan regional parks, mountain bike excursions, a cycling wine and cheese tour of the Swan Valley, ocean and river kayaking, lazy weekends away in the Dryandra Woodlands or along the Murray River and a trip to the Abrolhos Islands via a crayfishing supply boat. Many dozens of women have joined in with the Trampers over the years. Most love the camaraderie of being with other lesbians in what are sometimes challenging circumstances, and many report that they would never have had these experiences were it not for the Trampers. (more…)

Outgames Serves Human Rights, Not Just Tennis Balls

Athletes and human rights activists can enjoy the best of both worlds at next year’s Asia Pacific Outgames.

The format for the games has changed to allow sporting events to be held in the first half of the week, starting March 12, while the three-day human rights conference will conclude the week, finishing March 19, 2011. (more…)

Gay Games Promote Global Acceptance

The Cologne Gay Games 2010 will be about spreading the global message of acceptance, organisers say.

Australian representative for the Gay Games Philipp Lischke said: ‘It’s really important that we have a global event like that bringing over the message ‘Hey, we’re actually people like you guys,’ and we’re doing sport, for example, but on the other hand we can’t compete in the Olympic games, even if you’re good enough, because some countries just don’t allow there to be gay or lesbian team members in their teams,’ he said. (more…)

Sports Shorts- June

BADMINTON BEATS RECORD
Gay and Lesbian Badminton have experienced a surge in popularity for their regular Wednesday social games recently, with a record number of 50 participants attending on May 20. ‘The most people we’ve had previously is 42, but we always average about 20-40,’ said organizer Dallas. Participants have been coming from as far away as Canada and Japan and Dallas says this could be due to the fact that G&L Badminton is well advertised through gay media in Western Australia. ‘Most people do some research online before coming to Perth,’ he said. ‘I get calls from all over the world’. Dallas says the weekly games are friendly more than competitive and everyone is welcome no matter what their skill-levels. ‘Most people haven’t played since high school and some have never played at all. We’re always happy to help out new players.’ G&L Badminton will be holding their first ever Competition Night on Wednesday July 22, with great prizes to be won. Registrations can be made until July 8 at Wednesday night social games, held at the Alma Venville Recreation Centre on 8th Avenue in Maylands. For more information on G&L Badminton, contact Dallas on 0415 486 854, Frank on 0410 465 372 or visit the website www.perthgaybadminton.wetpaint.com (more…)

Around The World

Since this is my first column I should introduce myself. My name is Ron Smith. I am a former actor and went by the name Ronnie Kerr. Yes, you can Google away. I am now a trainer and have been for some time. Some of my bigger clients include Julie Benz (Dexter, Angel, Saw V), Clare Kramer (Buff, Bring it on!), Samaire Armstrong (The OC, Entourage) and Hillary Swank (PS I love You, Million Dollar Baby). (more…)

Sport Shorts- May

SAPPHIC TRAMPERS
This month Sapphic Trampers will be walking The Eagle View track in the picturesque John Forrest National Park. The walk offers three options for different fitness levels and all participants are reminded to wear suitable shoes and clothing, bring sufficient water and food for the day. The walk departs from the Ranger’s Station at 10 am sharp on Saturday, May 9 and a $10 fee per car is required on entry to the national park. For more information or to organise carpooling, contact Leah on 9337 2097. (more…)

How to Pick-up the Perfect PT

Let’s be honest: most of us want a Personal Trainer so we can say we have a Personal Trainer. They’re the latest must-have accessory: the perfect accompaniment to flawless style, perfect fashion and for those who have everything - they’re the new bling. What better way to raise eyebrows than a casual drop of your PT’s name or a flick of their business card. It connotes a lifestyle of leisure and a full wallet. But after a couple of months of name dropping, and not flab dropping, your friends may start to wonder about the quality, or even existence, of your trainer. So to help you along your road to flab-u-lessness, a few pointers to finding the perfect PT. (more…)

Matthew Mitcham - Solid Gold!

Olympic gold medalist, Chief of Parade at Sydney Mardi Gras, an Ambassador for Men’s Health in Australia and almost too sexy for words – that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Australian diver Matthew Mitcham, as Megan Smith found out in a recent interview…

Going into Round 6 of the 10m platform diving competition in Beijing, Matthew Mitcham was a long shot for the gold. China had so far swept every gold in the sport and Zhou Luxin, despite a weak final dive was still well ahead of Mitcham. (more…)