|
Montreal Hosts the World in 2006
One of the oldest cities in North America, with a
population of close to 3.5 million, Montréal is Canada's
second largest English-speaking urban centre and the
largest French-speaking city of the world after Paris.
As such, it is the continent’s most bilingual city, with
a distinctive international flair. The city owes its
unique character to
 both
history and modernity; and it is Montrealers’
friendliness and hospitality that have made the city
such a warm and welcoming destination.
Over the years, the city has seen the forging of a
special spirit of openness and acceptance between the
general public and the gay community. Montréal is home
to a vibrant gay and lesbian community and Montréal's
Gay Village serves as one of the largest and most
dynamic alternative neighbourhoods in the world. Here,
more than anywhere else, gay men and women of all ages
and from all backgrounds can walk together in safe and
comfortable surroundings. No wonder so many gay visitors
keep coming back to Montréal time and time again,
reliving old memories and creating new ones.
This gay-friendly environment has been further nurtured
by numerous government policies. In fact, the
governments of Canada and of Québec were among the first
in North America to have legally recognized same-sex
partnerships, and introduced civil union.
Montreal Outreach Programme
Montréal
2006 is committed to actively encouraging and supporting
the participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender individuals not typically represented or
involved in the gay sport movement, particularly from
disadvantaged or oppressed communities of the world.
In all Outreach activities, specific attention will be
paid to encourage the participation of women. In order
to reach our goal of equal gender participation, 50% of
the available positions during early registration (until
1 January 2005) will be reserved for women, as well as
50% of available resources from the Outreach Programme.
Montréal 2006 has set an objective of sponsoring a
minimum of 500 participants through its Outreach
Programme. Qualifying participants selected for the
Outreach Programme will be offered assistance for
transportation to/from Montréal, lodging and/or free
registration to the 1st World Outgames, as
appropriate.
|
|
The 1st World Outgames Welcome Everybody
The 1st World Outgames Rendez-Vous
Montréal 2006 will offer 33 sports, 4 cultural
activities, as well as the “The Right to Be
Different” International Conference, all of
which are open to women and men, regardless of
their sexual orientation, race, age,
athletic/artistic skills, gender, physical
challenge, religion, political beliefs,
nationality, ethnicity, or HIV/ health status.
Moreover, there are no minimum athletic
standards to qualify for the sports activities.
The Outgames seek to promote the values of: Participation
and Celebration; Respect and Fairness;
Innovation; Diversity; and Empowerment
(PRIDE).
People with specific needs or disabilities will
be integrated as full-fledged participants,
volunteers, officials and spectators. By
accepting the Outgames’ ideals to strive for
personal achievement in sports and cultural
activities, all Outgames participants
automatically become winners. As individuals,
participants celebrate personal achievement; as
a group, they experience solidarity and
celebrate the diversity and scope of the gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
Through the sports and cultural activities of
the Outgames, stereotypes are challenged and
barriers broken down. |
|
