GayCities Copenhagen editor Paul Brummitt is blogging this week about Outgames, which runs through the weekend.
The opening ceremony in front of city hall was amazing, with all the participants parading in across a long catwalk by country. An official bouquet was presented to Axel Axgil, the surviving half of the world’s first registered same-sex partnership, which took place twenty years ago in the same city hall here.
At one point the spotlights suddenly lit up what we all thought was confetti raining down on the stage, but in fact it was a sudden downpour which drenched everyone, including me. Belgium were lucky–its team had all come with yellow umbrellas, and the Danish waterpolo team were able to shelter under their viking hats. The rest of us ended up in the world Wetgames. The cloud passed quickly: Nothing could spoil the positive atmosphere of the day, and the party by the harbor later was also a huge success.
Some of us had work to do, and Copenhagen’s Aqua Arena, like the other venues, was being staffed by volunteers like me (I broke my wrist before the games started, (ending my participation in the triathalon) so I’m limited to serving as the official welcomer to swimmers, divers, synchro swimmers and waterpolo players to the brand new pools built specially for the occasion. (Well, ok, the city had needed a new Olympic-standard pool complex anyway 🙂
Despite my injury I’m having fun. The city is now teeming with LGBT people – but the non-LGBT locals are joining in, too, enhancing the spirit of international cooperation. Straight folk were well-represented at the opening with a crowd of many thousands, befitting the pro-gay stance of this accepting and tolerant city.
Such is the red carpet being rolled out that bus drivers are announcing venue names in English (a first for them – thanks!).
One sad incident, a reminder that all is not well in our world quit yet: Two men were arrested for attacking three gay guys from Sweden, Norway and England near city hall. A judge remanded them in custody for two weeks pending a trial. No mention in press of any serious damage but they were taken emergency room for treatment of minor injuries.
More Copenhagen Outgames
Photos courtesy Paul Brummitt
