Hot Action Down Under

By John Russell January 24, 2008
1st Asia Pacific Outgames scores in Melbourne

If you've been planning that big Australian vacay, now is the time to hop on a 15-hour flight - something cushy, with Direct TV and a fold-out bed - and breeze into Melbourne for the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames, taking place January 30 through February 3. New England may be in Old Man Winter's iron grip, but it's summertime down under, and queer athletes from all over the world are gathering for this monumental sporting event.

An off-shoot of the 2006 1st World Outgames in Montreal, Melbourne's tournament will feature 12 sports, chosen specifically for their strong presence in the city and Australia in general, with more than 1,000 athletes participating.

"After the amazing experience many Australians had in Montreal, there was the view that Australia could stage something, given our strong gay and lesbian sports community," says Peter Sagar, co-president of the Asia Pacific Outgames. From there, Melbourne Outgames Inc (MOI) was formed, and with support from Melbourne's community and the City of Melbourne Council the Asia Pacific Outgames took shape. The event combines Midsumma, Melbourne's annual gay and lesbian community and cultural festival, and Rainbow Conversations, a two-day GLBT human rights conference, along with the sporting tournaments.

"As the Outgames model involves sports, culture and human rights, it made a lot of sense to partner with Midsumma and Rainbow Conversations," Sagar says.
Also in keeping with that model, the Asia Pacific Outgames are open to all who want to participate, regardless of sexual orientation and with no qualifying standards to compete beyond age restrictions for certain events. Participants from India, the Philippines and Singapore will compete alongside those from as far away as the U.S. and Canada in badminton, squash, volleyball, dancesport, rowing and other competitions.

"The growth in the gay and lesbian sports movement is phenomenal," says Sagar. "It's great seeing so many hundreds of athletes coming from across the Asia Pacific region and indeed the rest of the world."

In the end, the Outgames are about more than just sports. Sagar hopes that this inaugural event will leave a lasting impression on the Asia Pacific region.
"We hope that there will be a legacy," he says, "Boosting participation in sport and strengthening our gay and lesbian sports clubs in general. We are a beacon of hope to our neighbors, especially in the Asia Pacific where so many inequalities still exist." •