Out Proud Olympians

01 December 2006

GLISA Enters Proud Partnership

Homophobia in the traditional world of sport remains a serious issue for GLBT athletes. While many other parts of western democratic societies make strides forward for GLBT rights, sport remains one of the last closets. One of GLISA’s prime purposes is to create safe places for all GLBT athletes to play, from first time participants in GLBT sport tournaments to the highest performers of elite sport.

To help achieve this goal, GLISA is delighted to announce a partnership with Ingi Thor Jonsson, founder of Out Proud Olympians Family and member of the Iceland National Swim Team from 1977 – 1984. Currently residing in Liverpool England, Ingi has created an organization that provides a place to meet for past and present LGBT people who have participated in some way at an Olympic Games, whether as an athlete, official, coach, volunteer or administrator.

“Unfortunately following my 1st Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 the pressure of hiding who I was forced me to leave amateur sport competition. It took me close to two decades to return to sport. There had to have been other LGBT people competing with me at those Olympics, but there was no way for us to connect with each other. My passion for sport was extinguished in this closed environment,” - said Ingi.

The Out Proud Olympians Family has many objectives, primary among them creating a meeting place for past and present GLBT Olympians, promoting the benefits of participation in sport to GBLT people, and being an active voice against homophobia within the Olympic Movement.

“We are proud to partner with Ingi and others to challenge the existing climate in sport,” - comments Catherine Meade, Co-President of GLISA.

“We look forward to working together, creating a presence at major sport events in the future to provide support to those athletes that have felt unsupported for so many years.”

Creating partnerships with a broad range of organizations and individuals that share common goals has been an important part of GLISA’s success. Earlier this year, a transitioned female national team athlete and advocate, Kristen Worley, joined GLISA’s sport technical committee to provide important insight into issues that impact transgendered athletes.

“Ingi joins Kristen as another inspiring individual that will help us in our mission to bridge the GLBT and mainstream sport communities,” - said Thomas Dolan, GLISA Co-President.

“Hopefully in the years ahead, with continued visibility and education, homophobia in sport will be a thing of the past.”