Okay Everyone, I suggested this on the other discussion thread and I thought -- why not just start it!

Lets talk about the future of the FGG:

What do people feel is wrong with the FGG in it's current state?

What do people feel is good about the FGG in it's current state?

How can we avert such a diaster (2006) in the future?

How do we make the FGG more representative?

(Please add you own questions).

The idea is that this discussion can get beyond Montreal and Chicago and focus on 2010 and beyond. I hope the FGG's leadership get involved but refrain from defending every little point and listen to the ideas. If Montreal can bring together a think tank then so can we!

It seems that in the past six months the FGG has lost three large sports organisations. Equippe Montreal resigned for obvious reasons, IGLIHA was removed due to a missed deadline and EGLSF has resigned (at least I have heard this - any confirmations).

That is three large sports bodies. What is the current state of membership and how do stop the loss of members and how do we get these members back.

I will be the first to say that I am highly critical of the FGG's handling of both Montreal and the selection of a competing games seven days before Montreal 2006.

However, I have read some disturbing comments that some are hoping Chicago is the last gay games. This is a terrible scenario and we need to fight to keep the FGG and the gay games going!!!

I would suggest that the FGG holds an open convention (possibly one in Canada and one in Europe) to bring people together to discuss the future of the FGG and answer all of the critcisms head on. These conventions can have nothing to do with 2006.

I submit that by focusing solely on sporting bodies, we miss the big picture, which is G & L SPORT and community. Of course some of us make our contribution through our efforts in sports bodies, like the FGG and that is cool and right and proper, but it may also be narrowing.

The potential to make contributions is limitless and sometimes we do it just by showing up.

Discussions such as this, the Montreal think thing, FGG restructuring, national and city forums, 4 people around a bar table talking about what THEY wish to do with their interests all play a part. People and ideas will eventually mix and match.

Absolutely the best thing that could happen in 2006 is TWO wildly successful events. That would be a grand slam out of the ballpark and a gate-opener for all sorts of things.

For those (especially in North America) who are asked "Which do you support, Chicago or Montreal?" I want to throw the following template answer into the ring:

I'll probably end up going to (insert city) because (insert reason.) If you can, make sure you get to one of them because (insert reason again.) Reasons for encouraging people to go to either one might be
-it's amazing to be in such a positive G & L atmosphere.
-experiencing a city react to a G & L sports games.
-be part of an international initiative.
-the camaradie of so many people brought together.

There are tons of reasons that could apply to both cities. And if I, for instance, end up going to Montreal, I will never know how many other people I influence to go to either city by my enthusiasm. They will end up where they go due to their own reasons. ALL participation makes the G & L community stronger no matter where it is.

Sorry if everyone saw this in the \"Schism\" thread where I posted it, but it's true, Europe has bailed on FGG: Again, sorry if this is old news.

As I said on the Schism board, I propose that FGG become a more active and controlling body in terms of putting on the Gay Games. I think Chicago gives us a platform for the future, both as to a good model for future Games, hopefully for identification of people who can be tasked for 2010. Chicago is a "war-time" Games, and stress can sometimes produce better institutional arrangements.

Clearly we need a stronger FGG to ward off future attacks of the profiteers. We also need to widen the population of potential Games sites. FGG control will make up for [supposed] lack of local strength in non-metropolitan locations. I suggested university towns and even military bases [most of which seem to become universities - lol!] I am not saying we should move away from tourist meccas, but a wider choice is better - especially if we want to spread beyond North America and Western Europe.

Jim - not only is the 365gay.com story old news but it's wrong news, the story that ran on 365gay.com was based upon just one side of the story, the reporter in 365gay.com's Montreal Bureau didn't contact anyone from the FGG or CGI, and the reporter even exaggerated the claims of the Montreal Press Release. It's amazing, really - I was in a meeting in Amsterdam where a group of 70 people cheered in agreement that EGLSF was going to continue to support the Gay Games. You read this article and it sounds like every single GLBT sports person in Europe is going to Montreal. Ah - the magic of "PR Spin."

I've responded to this issue twice on the other chat board. The first was my report of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation Meeting. The second was my posting of Chicago's statement on the subject.

[ March 16, 2004, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: KevinB ]

Here is the actual press release of EGLSF (without the Chicago nor the Montreal spin on it):

Press Release

Monday, March 15 2004

- The European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation cancels membership with the Federation of Gay Games;
- Utrecht is selected EuroGames host for 2005

At the weekend of 6-7 March 2004, a successful EGLSF annual meeting was held in the Olympic Stadium of Amsterdam, with more than 60 delegates from 10 countries. Two important items were on the agenda, the future of the EuroGames model and the membership with the Federation of Gay Games. The 15th anniversary was celebrated with a conference on Friday 5 March.

After extensive reporting and discussion, the EGLSF members decided to cancel membership with the Federation of Gay Games as they, according to the large majority expressed by the vote, do not agree with the failed contract negotiations with Montréal, current policies and future strategic planning of the Federation of Gay Games. The EGLSF does not approve to having two major international sporting events in 2006. Still, at the same meeting, it was decided to install a liaison committee to both the selected host of Gay Games VII, Chicago 2006 and to Rendez-Vous Montreal 2006. The EGLSF board stressed that leaving the Federation of Gay Games does not mean that EGLSF will not co-operate with future hosts of Gay Games; the EGLSF will continue to encourage athletes to participate in any international gay and lesbian sport events.

Further, the concept of EuroGames was discussed. In future, the EuroGames will be given the opportunity to host more athletes and sports, starting with the EuroGames 2005, which will be held in Utrecht, following the decision of the EGLSF members. This year EuroGames will be held in Munich and are not limited in any way. EuroGames Munich held a presentation on the latest developments in their EuroGames.

The co-presidents Conny Schaelicke, Berlin and Johan van de Ven, Eindhoven were re-elected and Jean Paul de Oliveira, Paris was newly elected to the board. The board consists of five persons from five different European Countries now. Next year the annual meeting will be held in Barcelona.

The day before the annual meeting, the EGLSF in co-operation with the NCS (Netherlands Cultural Sport Federation) hosted the second very successful 'Building Bridges' conference on strategies in combatting homophobia in sport.


EGLSF
eglsf@gaysport.info
www.eglsf.info

Kevin, I was afraid this story had already been hashed over on the other thread, but a quick scan there didn't reveal it to my tired eyes. Sorry for the duplication.