Limerick a candidate to host the 2018 Gay Olympics

Falthyron

Firstly, I didn't know there was a 'Gay Olympics'. And secondly, apparently, Limerick is in the run for hosting it!? I would consider myself up to date on Irish news, but this is the first I have heard of Limerick looking to host an event...

It also begs the question, does that mean only heterosexual people participated in London 2012 (and all preceding Olympic Games), and does it rule out heterosexual people from competing in the 'Gay Games'? Or if you are a girl and show some Facebook pics of you kissing one of your female friends, does that grant you entry?

Link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/olympic-games-johnson-cameron-speak-londons-bid-2018-114053080.html

Highlight: 'London would be up against Paris, Orlando, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam and Limerick in the race to host the event, but if reports that Johnson has secured key venues such as the Olympic Stadium for the bid prove true London would have a strong advantage.'

Can After Hours provide a logo/motto should Limerick win the bid?

RidleyRider

What a gay event.

SV

This is fúcking stupid.
Not the idea of Limerick holding the gay olympics, just the fact that the gay olympics even exists.

magma69

Why do gays have to have their own gay version of everything? They want to be treated that same as everyone else but perpetuate the notion they're different by having exclusively gay events.

B.A._Baracus

The idea of a gay olympics is bloody stupid! ... Compete in the regular olympics FFS!

keano_afc

So what happens of they exclude a straight person from entering (boom boom) based on their sexuality?

mackg

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=80392763

donvito99

If all of our athletes come out, we could top the medal table.

RidleyRider

donvito99 wrote: »

If all of our athletes come out, we could top the medal table.

Wishful thinking much?

howamidifferent

From the comments :-)
I wonder what Cameron and Johnson realy mean when they say they are getting behind the gay games? nothing like a public school education eh nudge nudge wink wink

Wildlife Actor

In fairness lads, I don't think they're saying it's the same thing as the olympics proper, and in any case, I seem to recall that Greg Louganis (a "real" olympic champion) was involved in its early days.

But Christ, there'll be some craic when the torch goes through Moyross....

Annasopra

RidleyRider wrote: »

What a gay event.

What an original comment

JeffK88

http://limerick2018.com/history/ ..here's the bid

SunnyDub1

what ass hole even came up with this idea :rolleyes:

Annasopra

keano_afc wrote: »

So what happens of they exclude a straight person from entering (boom boom) based on their sexuality?

They won't

http://gaygames.org/wp/mission-and-values/frequently-asked-questions/faqs-on-the-gay-games-and-lgbt-sport/

Mr Benevolent

mango salsa wrote: »

They won't

http://gaygames.org/wp/mission-and-values/frequently-asked-questions/faqs-on-the-gay-games-and-lgbt-sport/

Doesn't make any sense. Are they saying that gay people aren't good enough to get into the real Olympics? Christ, the Special Olympics has much more credibility that this farce.

Da Shins Kelly

keano_afc wrote: »

So what happens of they exclude a straight person from entering (boom boom) based on their sexuality?

To be honest, I've been to a few LGBT events due to having gay friends, and I've never felt in any way excluded or unwelcome simply because I'm straight.

Biggins

Jeasus - what next?

An Olympics for every Tom, Dick and Harry?

Melion

Biggins wrote: »

Jeasus - what next?

An Olympics for every Tom, Dick and Harry?

Booooom

Sparks43

Do the take the saddles off in the Cycling?:pac:

awec

Can we rename the Olympics as they are now the straight Olympics? Gays are welcome to take part, but we should call it the Straight Olympics.

Load of absolute nonsense.

Biggins

Melion wrote: »

Booooom

...And we have a weeener winner!

I Heart Internet

"We want to be treated the same as everyone else........Except the olympics, we'll have our own olympics, we all quite fancy a medal".

Mr Benevolent

Biggins wrote: »

Jeasus - what next?

An Olympics for every Tom, Dick and Harry?

An Olympics for people who like tea? It's gone too far imo. Gay people are no different to anyone else in any significant way anymore. Who actually cares if men like having sex with men? We're not in Cameroon. There's nothing special about gay people, and certainly nothing that warrants a special gay Olympics.

squod

I'll be hosting the squod olympics this summer. I'm buying 48 gold medals from the €2 shop. I expect to win every event, even though I can't swim or play soccer.

Everyone is invited. (Once your name is squod and you look just like me.)

Annasopra

Confab wrote: »

Doesn't make any sense. Are they saying that gay people aren't good enough to get into the real Olympics? Christ, the Special Olympics has much more credibility that this farce.

Did you actually read the link I posted?

Biggins

Just out of curiosity - and NOT a go at Limerick - but why was Limerick selected as the town to possibly hold it in?
Is there better facilities for such events there?
Just curious, nothing more.

Melion

Biggins wrote: »

Just out of curiosity - and NOT a go at Limerick - but why was Limerick selected as the town to hold it in?
Is there better facilities for such events there?
Just curious, nothing more.

I dont think Limerick was chosen, they applied.

Biggins

Melion wrote: »

I dont think Limerick was chosen, they applied.

I suppose thats fair enough then.

Annasopra

Biggins wrote: »

Just out of curiosity - and NOT a go at Limerick - but why was Limerick selected as the town to hold it in?
Is there better facilities for such events there?
Just curious, nothing more.

Limerick is applying along with London, Paris, Amsterdam and Orlando

awec

mango salsa wrote: »

Did you actually read the link I posted?

As a homosexual (I presume), would you be in favour of renaming the current Olympics the Straight Olympics?

Gays can take part, to show solidarity with their straight friends and all.

Biggins

I personally look forward to the naked model Olympics someday.

Annasopra

awec wrote: »

As a homosexual (I presume), would you be in favour of renaming the current Olympics the Straight Olympics?

Gays can take part, to show solidarity with their straight friends and all.

No

I agree with what the Gay games say in their faq

http://gaygames.org/wp/mission-and-values/frequently-asked-questions/faqs-on-the-gay-games-and-lgbt-sport/

If you’re going to have Gay Games, why can’t there be “straight games”?

In practice, most sports events are already “straight games”, where the assumption is made that all participants are straight, and where homosexuals must hide their sexual identity.

But the Gay Games are themselves “straight games”. Everyone is welcome, whatever their sexual orientation. It is estimated that about 10% of participants in each edition of the Gay Games are straight, often friends and family members of LGBT participants who participate to show their support and solidarity.

OneArt

You know I always imagined Limerick as more of a host town for the Hunger Games rather than the Olympics.

awec

mango salsa wrote: »

No

I agree with what the Gay games say in their faq

http://gaygames.org/wp/mission-and-values/frequently-asked-questions/faqs-on-the-gay-games-and-lgbt-sport/

If you’re going to have Gay Games, why can’t there be “straight games”?

In practice, most sports events are already “straight games”, where the assumption is made that all participants are straight, and where homosexuals must hide their sexual identity.

But the Gay Games are themselves “straight games”. Everyone is welcome, whatever their sexual orientation. It is estimated that about 10% of participants in each edition of the Gay Games are straight, often friends and family members of LGBT participants who participate to show their support and solidarity.

Ok, so the games as they are now are the Straight Games apparently. So why can't we call it that?

Everyone is welcome, even gays. So, if straight people are welcome at the Gay Olympics, and they are called the Gay Olympics, why can't we call the Olympics as they are now the Straight Olympics and continue to welcome gays to them? Gay people can come along to show support and solidarity with their straight friends and family.

Do you realise that the idea of promoting equality for homosexuals while simultaneous supporting this sort of event is totally contradictory? The two ideas are completely at odds with one another.

Also, as far as I know, no participants in the Olympics come out with a "I'm straight" comment. I would like to know why you think Olympic participants should be stating their sexuality at all?

Is a persons sexuality not private? Why would an Olympian, straight or gay, want to announce their preference? Why do they think that we want to hear it?

The hypocrisy and double standards in this is unbelievable.

who_me

Sporting references....check.
Gay.......check.
Limerick....check.

It's soooo hard to stay politically correct when you send temptation like this our way... "There was a gay pole vaulter named Rick....."

Seriously though, odd idea. But if it raises money for the local economy, helps normalise the perception of homosexuality, and in any way encourages people to be more healthy, then why not?

My name is URL

mango salsa wrote: »

No

I agree with what the Gay games say in their faq

In practice, most sports events are already “straight games”, where the assumption is made that all participants are straight, and where homosexuals must hide their sexual identity

That's a pretty ignorant estimation of the assumptions other people make, imo. There are numerous openly gay Olympians, so I don't know who is assuming that they must hide their sexuality.

Lyaiera

For feck's sake. It's just a piss up.

Plazaman

Break out the sunglasses so, we'll be blinded by rainbow flags.

gallag

"We demand equally, inclusion and our very own events"

Oxymoron.

Biggins

SunnyDub1 wrote: »

what ass hole even came up with this idea :rolleyes:

Maybe it was a sore loser?

Mr Benevolent

awec wrote: »

Ok, so the games as they are now are the Straight Games apparently. So why can't we call it that?

Everyone is welcome, even gays. So, if straight people are welcome at the Gay Olympics, and they are called the Gay Olympics, why can't we call the Olympics as they are now the Straight Olympics and continue to welcome gays to them? Gay people can come along to show support and solidarity with their straight friends and family.

Do you realise that the idea of promoting equality for homosexuals while simultaneous supporting this sort of event is totally contradictory? The two ideas are completely at odds with one another.

Also, as far as I know, no participants in the Olympics come out with a "I'm straight" comment. I would like to know why you think Olympic participants should be stating their sexuality at all?

Is a persons sexuality not private? Why would an Olympian, straight or gay, want to announce their preference? Why do they think that we want to hear it?

The hypocrisy and double standards in this is unbelievable.

It's like feminism after they achieved all their goals, they started contradicting themselves too.

Dravokivich

gallag wrote: »

"We demand equally, inclusion and our very own events"

Oxymoron.

That's not an oxymoron, just hypocrisy.

It's also a big step backwards and makes a point of segregation, as opposed to some form of social acceptance. Fúck it, sure, let'em have their sports day.

B.A._Baracus

Can't help but feel if there was an event called 'the hetrosexual olympics' all hell would break loose ... people picketing, marching etc.

But the idea of a 'gay olympics' is fine. As another user put it best tho:

gallag wrote: »

"We demand equally, inclusion and our very own events"

Oxymoron.

:pac:

Czarcasm

mango salsa wrote: »

No

I agree with what the Gay games say in their faq

What has ones sexuality got to do with their sporting prowess in all fairness? I'm sure there were plenty of gay and lesbian sports men and women participated in the London 2012 Olympics. Nobody gave a fiddlers for their sexuality because they were more interested in their sporting achievements.

This just smacks of a childish "rubber medals all round" mentality, and an opportunity to further the old "we're here, we're queer, get used to it" mantra. People are well accustomed to the gay community trying to differentiate themselves already while at the same time campaigning for equality. When will the mouthpieces in the gay community ever learn they can't have it both ways?

I'm all for the support of minorities, but much less for the support of stupidities. This seems less about support and just more about "We want something because straight people have it, and we want to be equal to, but remain separate from, straight people".

I can't wait to see the clusterfùck they make of the relay races when they have to pass the baton! :pac:

gallag

I have never understood why gays insist on making their sexual orientation so public, its not what defines a person, they used to chant "we're here, we're queer, get used to it" well we are ****ing used to it, we dont actually care anymore, just do what makes you happy without the constant need to make it a public display ffs. Having a full parade to show you like having sex with the same sex is so last decade.

Czarcasm

Biggins wrote: »

Maybe it was a sore loser?

Oh Jesus! :pac:

Lubricant would've helped with that!

gobnaitolunacy

Czarcasm wrote: »

What has ones sexuality got to do with their sporting prowess in all fairness? I'm sure there were plenty of gay and lesbian sports men and women participated in the London 2012 Olympics. Nobody gave a fiddlers for their sexuality because they were more interested in their sporting achievements.

This just smacks of a childish "rubber medals all round" mentality, and an opportunity to further the old "we're here, we're queer, get used to it" mantra. People are well accustomed to the gay community trying to differentiate themselves already while at the same time campaigning for equality. When will the mouthpieces in the gay community ever learn they can't have it both ways?

I'm all for the support of minorities, but much less for the support of stupidities. This seems less about support and just more about "We want something because straight people have it, and we want to be equal to, but remain separate from, straight people".

I can't wait to see the clusterfùck they make of the relay races when they have to pass the baton! :pac:

They're (nearly) as annoying as feminists now.

1ZRed

My name is URL wrote: »

That's a pretty ignorant estimation of the assumptions other people make, imo. There are numerous openly gay Olympians, so I don't know who is assuming that they must hide their sexuality.

I wasn't going to post because I'm ****ing sick of these gay threads but there is a point to these gay games. I don't like the idea of being segregated, and although it seems that way, that's actually not the point of them.

It's about holding something to highlight that there are many gay/bi Olympians and it gives them an event to take part in where they can be open about themselves with no pressure and it could give closeted athletes more incentive to be open in their sport when they compete in the conventional Olympics.

Of course I don't think any event like this should highlight sexuality because it is irrelevant in my view, but in doing this it does help to tackle homophobia and to normalise it in sport because players and athletes do hide it in certain sports and countries, that's it's main aim to do away with that. It shouldn't be a big deal but it still is in some places.

Take soccer for example, a hugely homophobic sport with very, very few out players. This could give players a chance to play and be alright about being out and then when they compete in the main Olympics that they'll say "**** it" and not hide their sexuality.

I know it all seems counter productive and it's not the ideal way to go about improving things, there's going to be apparent negatives whatever way you try and do things like this, but there are some benefits to it even it appears to segregate gay people away from straight people.
It's all to do with normalising gay athletes in sport and to highlight that they are there so people will say "ah sure, who cares of they're gay" instead of throwing homophobic comments at some of them like what goes on a lot of the time now.

Kev_2012

Biggins wrote: »

Just out of curiosity - and NOT a go at Limerick - but why was Limerick selected as the town to possibly hold it in?
Is there better facilities for such events there?
Just curious, nothing more.

Limerick has excellent facilities for sport and there is an outrageously high proportion of people who are interested in sport here compared to other cities. Don't get the point though, gay people can enter the regular olympics so why actively try to stand out like this? What's next? Caucasian olympics? Would come in handy for the 100m!!!

Bipolar Joe

who_me wrote: »

Sporting references....check.
Gay.......check.
Limerick....check.

It's soooo hard to stay politically correct when you send temptation like this our way... "There was a gay pole vaulter named Rick....."

Seriously though, odd idea. But if it raises money for the local economy, helps normalise the perception of homosexuality, and in any way encourages people to be more healthy, then why not?

I don't think this does. It just makes another folder to file away gay things, like rainbows. It's creating the idea that gay people ARE different, therefore must have different things. If Usain Bolt (Spelling?) came out as gay, that would be normalising.

Honestly, I don't care too much, but it does put up a partition where one does not need to be.

As for Limerick being host, Alternative Miss. Ireland is pretty big and established here. I dunno about the rest of the country, so I can't comment.