The next Annual General Assembly of the European Gay&Lesbian Sport Federation - EGLSF AGA will take place in Manchester,UK 4-7 March 2010.

On Friday 5th March, EGLSF Board will be hosting a Strategic Plan Day.
Facilitated by Pride Sports, the day will consist of four workshops which will focus on the following areas:
- Communication & Membership;
- Sponsorship;
- Sports/tournament regulation & good practice;
- Diversity;
Four 90 minute sessions throughout the day will enable delegates to contribute to each of the themes or focus on an area of particular interest. Key points from each of the workshops will be summarised and made available for all delegates to view over the weekend.

On Last 2009 AGA in the Hague, activly were represented Olympic Committees, Dutch Sport Federations, European Commission, EUFA, Council of Europe, ILGA-Europe.

For 7th consecutive time Tangra Sports group will take part in January (from 4th to 17th at the winter SPA camp in the town of Hissar that has already become a tradtition.
At the SPA oasis you can practice triathlon, soccer, track and field, fitness, swimming, and tourism&nordic walking.

The price for a day per person is EUR20 - full board + swimming and fitness included.

The Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network celebrates 10 years of campaigning this weekend as over 100 fans, activists and NGO’s come together at the Franz-Horr-Stadium in Vienna, home of FK Austria.
The two day conference, on 13 and 14 December, will mark some of the network’s key achievements since its formation in Vienna in 1999, as well as looking forward to new challenges with a series of workshops looking at various areas of discrimination in the game.
FARE’s role in tackling racism at all levels of professional and amateur football has seen its membership grow to a presence in 40 countries across Europe. As well as monitoring activity at domestic football in all these nations, it now plays a role in major European tournaments through a partnership with UEFA.
The work of FARE has been supported by some of the biggest names in European football. Lillian Thuram and Marcos Senna are just two players who have assumed the role of ambassadors. Another is former Celtic, Aston Villa and Bari player, Paul Elliott who commented: “Discrimination in European football is a complex issue taking many forms, which is why the work of FARE remains so crucial. Its far-reaching presence into so many different countries means trends can be monitored and action taken.”
Kurt Wachter, from host FARE member, FairPlay-vidc, said: “The FARE network has had many successes in the past decade. We’ll be using this conference to look back at some of these, but also to new challenges ahead, such as the programme of work toward the European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine in 2012 and how to take the next step in challenging homophobia in football.”
A FARE media reception will take place on Sunday evening at SK Rapid Vienna’s Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadium. Speakers at the reception include UEFA representatives, the Austrian Football Association, the Austrian Football League, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the City of Vienna.
These will joined by a host of current and former players such as Paul Elliott, Samuel Koejoe (Dunajská Streda, Freiburg), Yves Eigenrauch (Schalke 04), Oliver Prudlo (Wacker Innsbruck), chairman of the Austrian Players Union.
The Vienna networking conference “Football for Equality: Challenging Racism and Homophobia across” is supported by UEFA, the European Commission and the City of Vienna.


Related URL link: www.farenet.org

Bulgaria Top-Sport Journalist - Krum Savov invited the First Openly Gay Sportsman from Eastern Europe - Stanislav Tanchev, at the "Night Show of AZIS on 17th of November 2009.


In the first part of the Show the Guest was: the Coach of Proffesional Bulgaria Football Club- SLAVIA - Velislav Vutsov.

Videos of Azis:

Since its inception in 1989 the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation has fought for the rights of gays and lesbians in sport. 20 years on we remain committed to this cause. And, with the help of organisations like the Football Against Racism Europe (FARE) network, and a membership base of over 30,000 people, we’re confident we can continue to make positive strides to ensure football, and sport in general, is open and accessible to all regardless of sexual preference. [Read more here...]

Vote for Radoslav Iliev, representing Bulgaria (Aug 19 – 23) , on Mr. Gay Europe 2009 at Official Website of the Contest:
http://www.mrgayeurope.org/

Mr. Gay Europe is happy to announce that the official Delegate from Bulgaria has registered and is ready to come to Oslo in August!

Radolav Iliev is 22 years old and comes from the city of Sofia. He takes part in Mr. Gay Europe because he wants to be a role model for young gay men in his own country and the whole Balkan region.

We welcome Radolav to the Mr. Gay Europe family and are looking forward to see him and all the other Delegates in Oslo. Norway, August 19 – 24!


Related URL link:www.MRGAYEUROPE.COM

Bulgarian Association for Gay Sport - BAGS took part at Building Bridges III Conference on 6th of March 2009 in The Hague, Netherlands. Here is the report from the Conference:

(Plenary morning sessions)
1.
The European level - Ms Kathelijne Buitenweg, Member of the European Parliament and Chair, Netherlands:
“This conference is in fact not about sport, but about equality, about law making. Laws are important, but they don’t create reality. Since 2000 all forms of discrimination are forbidden in the labour market and in the workplace. Also discrimination on the basis of race is forbidden in and beyond the labour market.
However, sexual orientation is excluded from this article. Beyond the labour market there is no declaration against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The EP thought this unfair and wanted to correct this. It has been a long fight in the EP to correct this omission and it is still unclear whether the battle will be won when the European Parliament votes on this article. I hope we get 60% of the EP on board, but not everyone is in favour of the protection of rights on the basis of sexual orientation. Homophobia still is a problem. But this problem is hard to prove because most people remain silent about their sexual orientation and about the discrimination they experience as a result. Therefore most sport clubs conclude that the problem doesn’t exist. But gay athletes know different. A whole range of problems occur and in fact, all are about trust. In order to play you have to trust your team. And the thing is: as a gay or lesbian you can’t. Regarding discrimination against gays and lesbians, the nationally renowned Dutch football coach Louis van Gaal recently told gays and lesbians to ‘just bear with it.’ I find that shocking. If instead we were to talk about anti-Semitism, would he come to the same conclusion, that Jews should‘just bear with it’? Furthermore, it is important we deal with homophobia in sports not just on a national level, but on the European level as well. ” [Read more here...]

On June the 27th Sofia will be hosting a Rainbow Friendship Rally, this year organized by a larger coalition consisting of NGOs and business supporters, among which there are The Bulgarian Gay Organization “Gemini”, ID Mix Club, Resource Center for Bi & Lesbian Women “Bilitis” and Bulgarian Activist Alliance. This will be the second event of its kind to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, following last year's Gay Pride Rally “Me and My Family”.

On the very same date the world is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the historic riots at Stonewall Inn, the event that prompted the very outburst and developments in LGBT emancipation and rights protection worldwide. [Read more here...]

On May 12th , 2009 at 21:00 CET in Moscow will be held the First Semi Final of the 54th edition of Eurovision Song Contest. Krassimir Avramov will perform “Illusion” – the winner song from the Bulgarian Eurovision Contest under NUMBER 11.


Only 19 European Countries will be able to vote for Bulgaria on 12th of may: Andorra, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina ,Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, FYR Macedonia, Iceland, Israel, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Message of Krassimir Avramov to EUROVISION 2009 fans:

“We are living in a world where pain and aggression dominate and beautiful things are rare and far apart. And the Eurovision Song Contest is one of them. We speak about freedom but we are still surrounded by borders and prejudices. No matter which nation, which religion, which color or which sexuality we are, we are all human beings and have the right to enjoy life and to be happy. Eurovision is the “vision” which bring us all together, flying each other’s flag, an ultimate act of pan european unity.
Let Eurovision be the forum within which the music and the art will bring the positive into the people’s hearts, the smile into the people’s faces.
Let’s enjoy our time in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, let’s change the negative energy into positive, let’s make the young people aware that the world also has a better side, the one filled with music and song. With dreams and beliefs we will be able to bring back the good and the smiles on people`s faces.
Stay with me, stay with the music and let’s give our best together to make the world more a brighter, better place for all of us. Love you.”

Krassimir Avramov (on the right) with the first OUT GAY Sportman from Eastern Europe - Stanislav Tanchev
Stanislav Tanchev with Bulgaria Team for Eurovision 2009: Albena Veskova , Trey Knight, Petya Buyuklieva, Krassimir Avramov and Carin Noland.

STILT WORLD will help Krassimir on the Stage in Moscow.

STILT WORLD has been internationally performing for Cirque du Soleil, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, the Latin Grammy’s, Christina Aguilera’s World Tour, Panic at the Disco National tour and LA Fashion week. They also have appeared in commercials for NIKE, Verizon, Target, Cadbury and Ford, and in music videos with Christina Aguilera and Fergie.
Knight’s performance history is vast. He was a featured artist for Cirque du Soleil’s TV production “Solstrom” along with the world premiere gala for cirque’s new production KA. As dance captain for Paul McCartney’s world tour, highlights included performing at the Rome Coliseum and in Moscow’s Red Square. Knight has also worked on several films including Austin Powers III “Goldmember”, “Cinderella Story” and “Hellbent.” Knight worked on Los Angeles Opera’s “The Grand Duchess,” directed by Gary Marshall, a short film with Sean Lennon, choreographed and performed with Krassimir at the Kodak Theater and recently choreographed/performed with other Cirque du Soleil alumni for prod./director Chris Childers and Choozi Entertainment. He was also a gold medalist at the 1995 Artistic Roller Skating World Championships.

Mr. Gay Sofia 2009 will take place in ID CLUB on 15th of April.

It is a long way for 2009 Bulgaria Delegate in Oslo.
Next stop is Mr Gay Sofia 2009 Contest on April the 15th , in ID CLUB.
Prizes:

For THE WINNER: 1500 EUR, a laptop and the possibility to take part in the final of Mr Gay Europe - Bulgaria 2009 Contest;

For FIRST RUNNER UP: 750EUR, a plasma TV and also the possibility to take part in the final of Mr Gay Europe - Bulgaria 2009 Contest;

For SECOND RUNNER UP - a plasma TV and also the possibility to take part in the final of Mr Gay Europe - Bulgaria 2009 Contest;
To register for Mr Gay Sofia 2009 Contest write with a clear face picture and tel. number to the e-mail :
info@idclub.bg
Preliminary Casting with all applicants for Mr Gay Sofia2009 on Friday 3rd of April , 2 pm @ ID CLUB . Address:
19B Karnigradska Str., Sofia, Bulgaria

Final Round of the search in Bulgaria is on 17th of June, again in the capital of the Country - City of Sofia.




For the 5th year anniversary, Mr. Gay Europe 2009 will take place in Oslo, Norway, where it all started, from August 19 – 23, 2009. We are preparing a joyful and exciting celebration, says President of Mr. Gay Europe, Morten Ruda.

Oslo is a gay friendly city and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community ensures that Oslo has it all - from sophisticated art exhibitions to fabulous parties all year round.
Oslo is the city of the minorities. As any capital anywhere in the world, Oslo is a melting pot of cultures and people. One way or another everyone is a member of a minority in a capital and that's what makes Oslo colorful, intriguing and friendly.
The chairman of the city council, Erling Lae is happily living together with his partner, Jens Torstein Olsen, who himself is working as a priest. It doesn't get more gay friendly than that! And the Mayor of Oslo Fabian Stang is whole heartedly supporting the event.


Official MGE2009 hotel is Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania.

AGA 2009 of EGLSF is over.
A Gallery from the Hague 2009, can be seen
HERE.

All 7 board EGLSF memebers are re-elected for another 2 years. New elected 8th member of the Board is Lou Englefield from the UK.

Eurogames are comming more and more in East part of Europe!
Representatives from 99 European Gay Sport Clubs elected Budapest for City host of 2012 Eurogames.

Host of 2011 Eurogames is the City of Rotterdam.

Next 2010 AGA is in Manchester(the UK).
Elected chairs : fe-mail - Tatiana from “Vorspiel” - Berlin and male Johan van de Ven from Holland.
Info:
Bulgarian Association Gay Sport

The European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) is celebrating 20TH ANNIVERSARY in 2009.
The Annual General Assembly (AGA) which will be held in the Hague, will therefore be special.
On March 6, Building Bridges 3 conference will be held, and the registration is free of charge thanks to Homosport Netherland and the City of Hague.
On March 7 and 8, the regular part of the AGA will take place.
This year, the AGA will also be interesting because several important votings are to be held:

Board elections;

AGA 2010;

EuroGames 2011 and 2012;

other motions and proposals.

Krassimir Avramov with the song “Illusion” won the 2009 Bulgaria Eurovision Contest and will represent Bulgaria in May at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow.

For 15 minutes Bulgaria voted with 55,52% for “Illusion” . [Read more here...]

DFB President Theo Zwanziger, German national league player Philipp Lahm and Tanja Walther, the representative of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation, were awarded with the “Tolerantia Preis” to commemorate their achievements in their work on tolerance and against discrimination.
The awards were given to the recipients on September 7, 2008 in front of 20.000 people in the LTU Arena stadium in Dusseldorf by Bastian Finke, head of the gay anti-violence project MANEO. The award is presented each year in France, Poland and Germany to honour people who are committed to fight against discrimination, hatred and violence.
Tanja Walther and Dr. Zwanziger were awarded for their advocacy work in the fight against homophobia in sports. Philipp Lahm has been given the award for publicly condemning discrimination of homosexuals in football.


Info : www.maneo.de
EGLSF