OUR LATEST ISSUE
Copenhagen's "Gay Olympics" marred by homophobic violence
World Out Games 2009
World Outgames opens but three attacked
The "Gay Olympics", formally known as the World Outgames begin today, but Saturday's opening ceremony in Copenhagen's City Hall square ended just a few hours before three participants were attacked. The victims, who required hospital treatment, were from Sweden, Norway and the UK. They were kicked and punched by two men, who were later arrested, police said.
The director of the event, Uffe Elbaek, had earlier promoted the games as an opportunity for Copenhagen to be seen as a progressive city that could send a message of hope to those living in fear of homophobia around the world.
"We are trying to build a bridge between the LGBT community and the rest of the city. Our intention is to make this a celebration and a signal to the rest of the world that this is a tolerant city that we are proud of," he said.
But the games, four years in the planning, have provoked controversy in the Danish media both for the lack of support shown by the government and for their cost compared to the interest shown by the world's LGBT athletes, activists and spectators.
The £3.4m funding of the games by the city council of Copenhagen was intended for an expected 15,000 participants - but only 5,500 have registered at the Outgames headquarters.
The newspaper Politiken was critical of Danish ministers who failed to support the games by addressing the opening ceremony.
"In Denmark we don't have a minister responsible for gay rights issues. We also don't have a minister who wants to welcome all the activists and participants, even though it is an event that gives Denmark unprecedented attention. It's embarrassing to have a government that doesn't want to come out of the closet."
