LGBTQ+: Cardiff becomes first UK city to host Eurogames

Europe’s largest annual LGBTQ+ multisport event will be held in Cardiff in 2027.

The Welsh capital will become the first UK city to host the Eurogames.

First held in 1992, organizers say the event was created to address discrimination and promote inclusion in the sport.

Pride Sport Cymru, the team behind Cardiff's successful bid, said it was a great opportunity to show Wales has a welcoming culture.

They said they expected up to 10,000 athletes from across Europe to compete at venues across the city.

Duncan Cameron, chairman of Cardiff Lions, Wales' first gay and inclusive rugby union club, said this was a “huge benefit in raising the profile of inclusive sport”.

“One of the best things about the Eurogames is that it's open to everyone, regardless of their status. No matter who you are, there's a place for you to come and play,” he said.

“A lot of people don't know that we have an inclusive rugby team or football team or 30 other sports that are featured in the game here… So for us, it's about showing what we can do in this game. This is a great opportunity to move onto the national and global stage. ”

Cardiff Red Kites, an LGBTQ+-inclusive badminton club, will help organize the badminton tournament.

Red Kites' Neil Roberts said the club provided a “sense of community”.

“Clubs like this are a great way for people to enjoy sport and stay physically and mentally healthy, as there is evidence that many LGBTQ+ people face barriers when accessing sport. We just need to support them,” he said.

He added that by hosting the Eurogames, he hopes to “instill a culture that sports should be enjoyed by everyone, no matter who you are, no matter who you are, no matter your race or background.” Ta.

“That's what we want and we really hope that the Eurogames will help facilitate that,” he added.

Up to 10,000 competitors are expected to take part, including transgender athletes.

The Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board currently require transgender women to apply to play in the women's division, with applications being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The Eurogames tournament is managed by the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation and is a 'sport for everyone' event. This means anyone can participate, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or skill level.

Charlotte Galloway, chairman of Cardiff Dragons, Wales' first co-ed LGBTQ+ football club, said all athletes should be able to compete as their “authentic selves”.

“People are allowed to identify and perform their true gender,” she says.

“That means trans women can play in the women's division and trans men can play in the men's division. I think it's very important to be able to do this because in Europe, such a big competition that doesn't recognize gender distinctions. Because there's nothing else like it – gay, transgender, and non-binary people can compete in this way. ”

He added: “The fact that we can host these matches and provide that platform for trans-inclusive sport here in Wales, and even in the UK, shows other clubs that sport is a place for trans and non-trans people. “I will show this to the team and the team,” he added. – Binary people.

“It also shows transgender and non-binary people that sports are for them.”

As preparations continue, thoughts are already turning to what the tournament's legacy will be.

Jess Williams, part of the Pride Sport Cymru team involved in the bid, said: “We hope this will increase the number of LGBTQ+ people taking part in sport in Wales from 2027 onwards.” Ta.

“We really want to grow the network of LGBTQ+ leaders in sport in Wales, and the Eurogames event in Wales is definitely a springboard for that and could help us continue our efforts in the coming years. There is a sex.”

Eurogames 2024 will be held in Vienna, Austria in July.