Eleven cities from around the world have been invited by the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen to participate in an exhibition promoting urban diversity and tolerance during the World Outgames in 2009. The World Outgames is an international sporting, cultural and human rights event organised to celebrate and recognize the roles of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in society. Several hundred thousand participants, guests and visitors are expected to attend the games in Copenhagen from 25 July to 2 August 2009. The Out Cities project is the brainchild of the World Outgames organisers in Copenhagen and cities invited include Berlin, Istanbul, Madrid, Melbourne, New York, Riga, Rio de Janeiro, Stockholm, Tokyo and Århus in Denmark. In addition to being offered a central venue in which to showcase their unique cultural manifestations of diversity through the arts and entertainment, the mayors of each city have been invited to attend a summit hosted by the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen. The purpose of the summit is to share and acquire experience about how public policy in cities addresses cultural diversity, and the impact of public policy on integration, tolerance and anti-discrimination. "The World Outgames Out Cities program is a unique opportunity for us to show how diversity and tolerance benefits city life and to signal our support for the basic human rights of all citizens," said Ritt Bjerregaard, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen and host for the planned mayoral summit. Initial funding for the program is covered by a grant of five million Danish Kroner (NZ$1.3 million) from the Copenhagen city council and the Tuborg Foundation. Each invited city is expected to finance the cost of their exhibitions, although costs for planning meetings in Copenhagen, as well as technical support and locations will be provided by the World Outgames. "We have invited cities with concerned LGBT populations to create a forum in which to discuss and present the impact of diversity and tolerance on urban economic growth and social well-being," said Michael Steensgard, director of the cultural program for World Outgames 2009. The World Outgames 2009 will feature tournaments in more 30 sports disciplines, an extensive program of cultural and social activities and a conference on LGBT human rights. The last World Outgames was held in Montreal in 2006.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 18th November 2007 - 11:10am