Leap Sports announce a Pride House for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014!
23rd February 2014
LGBT community at heart of the Games
There will be a Pride House in Glasgow for the duration of the Commonwealth Games 2014, the Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sports Shona Robison has confirmed.
The Scottish Government is providing almost £25,000 to support Pride House during Games time which will be situated in Albion Street in Glasgow’s Merchant City.
Led by LEAP Sports Scotland, the venue will welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes, fans and visitors during the Games. Pride House will provide a welcoming place to view the competitions, and enjoy the events and cultural programmes planned around the Games. It is an opportunity to help tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport as well as learn about LGBT sports and build closer relationships with mainstream sport.
Pride House will also be the place to find out more information and advice about the wider events programme in 2014 for LGBT visitors to Scotland including activities around Homecoming Scotland.
Shona Robison, who is also Minister for Equality said:
“In 2014 Scotland is taking centre stage in global terms as host of the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup, Homecoming Scotland and MTV Europe Awards. This provides us with a unique opportunity to welcome the world and also showcase our country’s many great strengths to a truly massive audience.
“Scotland is already a world leader on LGBT equality and I am delighted to announce that to further boost these credentials the Scottish Government is providing almost £25,000 to support Pride House during Games time.
“Through a programme of partner events and activities led by LEAP Sports Scotland, Pride House will provide a warm welcome to Scotland’s LGBT community and visitors from near and far during Games time as well as creating a legacy for the future.
“As both Minister for the Commonwealth Games and for Equality, I am delighted to announce the venue for Pride House in Glasgow’s Merchant City. This is a central, convenient, and visible location right beside Commonwealth House and which will be at the heart of Glasgow 2014.
A volunteer programme for Pride House is due to open in early spring.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
“The city council is pleased to provide the location for Pride House during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow is famous for its warm welcome to all, and Pride House will no doubt be another example of our friendly outlook to visitors to the city. I look forward to what will be a fantastic addition to the greatest Games ever in Glasgow this summer.”
Hugh Torrance, Chair of LEAP Sports Scotland said:
‘Pride House is an important addition to the Glasgow 2014 programme, and will offer a programme of inclusive sport, cultural and social events, with a number of partners and collaborators already lining up to take part. 2014 has already been a historic year for LGBT equality in Scotland, and the support of the Scottish Government sends an important message about our country’s commitment to equality in sport. LEAP Sports Scotland have been working on this initiative since 2012, and are delighted to see such a growth in support.’
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said:
“Glasgow 2014 has the Commonwealth Games Federation’s values of Equality, Humanity and Destiny at the heart of our delivery of the Glasgow and Scotland’s Games for the athletes of the Commonwealth.
“Like the city and nation, Glasgow 2014 aspires to be inclusive and welcoming. The announcement of Pride House is another demonstration of the positive and unifying power of sport.”
Kurt Dahl, Chair of The Federation of Gay Games said:
‘The Federation has been pleased to work with LEAP Sports Scotland as part of the Pride House International coalition, and is delighted that this young and dynamic organisation will be hosting a Pride House at the Commonwealth Games. We look forward to joining athletes and fans from around the world at Pride House Glasgow 2014 to celebrate the values of diversity in sport at the Commonwealth Games.’
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair Maureen McGinn added:
“Through our Celebrate programme we want people from across Scotland to celebrate in their own individual way. Pride House 2014 will play an important role in building the legacy of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and we are proud to be able to support their work.”
Background
Pride House is being funded by almost £25,000 from the Scottish Government.
Pride House has received £9,960 from the National Lottery funded Celebrate programme which provides awards for communities across Scotland to come together to hold arts, heritage, sports and local community celebrations of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
LEAP Sports Scotland is supported by Pride House International, an international coalition of LGBT sport and human rights groups promoting the cause of equality in and by sport. The group has already been responsible for houses at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver/Whistler, in Warsaw (2012 UEFA European Football Championships) and London (2012 Summer Olympics). Further Pride Houses are planned for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
For more information on LEAP Sports Scotland, visit their webpage
You can also find LEAP Sports on Facebook here and on Twitter here
For Pride House International visit: www.pridehouseinternational.org
