Session Descriptions

As LGBTQ people we often hear that sport is one of the last bastions of homophobia.  That may or may not be true but what else is stopping us from participating in athletics?  Join in this multifaceted discussion about the barriers we face to getting on the pitch and what can we learn about this barriers to help dismantle them moving forward.

What do we do when our sports and recreation stops being a place for venting stress and starts to cause it?  Whether it be time management or first tournament jitters we are going to discuss where it comes from and how we can be better prepared to deal with it when it does happen.  An interactive workshop to give you skills that can be used on and off the field/pool/court.

Looking for ways to get involved with the Toronto 2015 Games?  The “IGNITE the Spirit” workshop aims to share the vision and goals of the ‘People’s Games’, especially the innovative and grassroots program, IGNITE.  The idea behind IGNITE is simple: those with a passion for promoting sport, physical activity, recreation, healthy living and/or art and culture, are encouraged to create their own special Games-themes initiative or put a Pan Am twist on an existing initiative.  It could be a community soccer game, a Caribbean cultural festival, a parasport training camp or even an innovative off-the-wall art project.  The only prerequisite is the initiatives must help ignite the spirit of sport and culture embodied by the Games.

Your conference registration includes your lunch on Saturday.  Make sure you indicate if you have any particular food requirements when you register.  This is also an excellent opportunity to continue the networking you started Friday evening at the reception, and continue to build strong ties between LGBT sport and recreation leaders and participants!

Next August in Cleveland & Akron, more than 10,000 participants from more than 65 countries will participate in The 2014 Gay Games.  The founding principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best mean the Games are open to everybody regardless of sexual orientation, gender, transgender status, religion, nationality, political convictions, age, physical condition or athletic ability.

This is more than just a tournament.  This is celebration!  This is transforming!  You will take home with you more than just a medal!  You will bring home new friendships, the memory of marching with your peers in the opening ceremonies, the memory of competing against fellow athletes from around the word, just to name a few.

OUTSPORT TORONTO appreciates the value in broad participation from our community in these games, and is working hard to coordinate transportation, accommodation, uniforms, and other details to help facilitate the biggest “Team Toronto” ever.  This interactive information session will provide you with information on The Gay Games, give you an opportunity to register on the spot, and give you a chance to speak with past participants about their Gay Games experiences.

(Find out more about Gay Games 9 at www.gg9cle.com .)

For a sports federation all about diversity… are we really working for diversity? How are we doing at engaging different kinds of people with different gender identities in our member leagues?  This workshop will serve as a check in, while brainstorming some things that we can be doing differently moving forward.

So you have been apart of an amazing team and have taken on a leadership role?  Who cares?  Lots of people!  This workshop will give you the insight in how to take your experiences as a leader and be able to market them in the world outside of balls and goals.  Job-hunting?  Looking for a new opportunity?  Let us show you where to begin!

There has been a lot of talk lately in the media and elsewhere about LGBTQ people, "lifestyle propaganda", human rights, and if and where they all come togehter in sport and athletics.  What can we do as people living in Toronto to help those on the other side of the world?  What can we do to help people here in Toronto?  This panel brings together activists and athletes from around the city who can help us tackle these questions and others while we try to figure out how we can make a difference through sport.

Moderator: Beth Beattie