VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010

We’re looking for your head, heart, and help!

Since 1982, the Gay Games has been promoting the principles of “Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™” and  Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 is working hard to fulfill these principles.

Just as Gay Pride celebrations around the world, such as Christopher Street Day in Cologne (CSD) are not just “fun,” Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 also intends to contribute to the recognition of gay and lesbian lifestyles.

Our goal is to also support those artists and athletes who cannot live their life as freely in their native countries as they can in Germany. At the same time, we also want to campaign in our own country to abolish open or hidden resentment and discrimination.

We are grateful for the support of many politicians, the political parties represented in Cologne’s council, public figures, and many large companies – both morally and financially.

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010’s primary goal is to enable as many Eastern European artists and athletes as possible to participate. Eastern Europe has many lesbians and gays who are repeatedly faced with the deep hatred of homophobic groups. Individuals are severely discriminated against in their families and their work, despite the fall of the ‘iron curtain.’ We hope to boost the self-confidence among Eastern European gays and lesbians, to provide them with advice and help for their individual situations and the hope that one day they, too, will be able to live free from persecution.

In addition, we would like to enable as many Muslims as possible to be at the Opening Ceremony for Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010. With a population of about 12%, Muslims comprise one of Cologne's largest religious communities. We would like to engage in a dialogue and establish important incentives for a future coexistence in our shared hometown of Cologne by inviting all Muslim artists and athletes to participate in the Gay Games.

These are only two examples. Of course, we don't want to turn our backs on the many other difficult personal circumstances of gays and lesbians all over the world. Here, too, we want to provide targeted support. Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 and the Federation of Gay Games will work together to offer a complete Gay Games scholarship program.

There will be four categories of scholarships awarded:

• Registration fees waived
• Registration fees waived and accommodation in hosted housing
• Registration fees waived, accommodation in hosted housing, and limited spending money
• Registration fees waived, accommodation in hosted housing, limited spending money and travel contributions (from 30% to 90% of travel expenses).

Of course, we will try to assist with all Visa related questions. Scholarship recipients will need to contact their country’s Embassy and handle the payment for their Visas. (For more information on Visas in Germany, see this website.)

We also need your support with the Gay Games scholarship program. Every Euro helps in providing an artist or athlete with the unique experience of the Gay Games and making their dream come true: donations

Further Information on the Gay Games outreach program is available, here. >>>