The international Federation of Gay Games ( FGG ) has awarded scholarships to 34 sports and cultural participants from countries as diverse as South Africa, China, Chile and The Philippines so they can attend and participate in the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany, July 31-Aug. 7, according to a press release.
Ten additional deserving applicants from Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa and Sri Lanka have been approved, but will not be able to go to Germany unless $20,000 in additional scholarship funds are raised. ( Games Cologne is separately funding some athletes from Eastern Europe. ) Contributions can be made online at www.gaygames.com/en/donate/ .
"Many of these athletes face challenges that most of us will never experience," said Paul Oostenbrug, co-chair of the FGG Scholarship Committee. "Where being openly gay or lesbian can risk life or limb, participating in the Gay Games may seem like a luxury. But the experience is extremely moving for them, and offers our scholarship athletes a chance to learn how the LGBT sports movement can be a vehicle for change in their own community. Without a full scholarship, participation would be impossible."