The 1st World Outgames will take place in Montreal From Saturday, 29 July to Saturday, 5 August 2006. In addition to all the gay and lesbian sporting events, in conjunction with the Outgames, Montreal will be hosting "The Right to Be Different" Conference: 26 to 29 July 2006, the first international conference on gay and lesbian rights.
First World Outgames: Montreal 2006Gay and Lesbian Olympic-Type Games
By Kathy Belge, About.com
1st World Outgames
With legalized gay marriage and multi-level government sponsorship of the Outgames, Montreal is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world.
The World Outgames will have 35 Sports. Sports that will be at this event and NOT the Gay Games: Aerobics, Bridge, Cross-Country, Dragon Boat, Handball, Roller-Racing and Table Tennis.
The 1976 Olympics were held in Montreal. Many of the venues will be utilized for Outgames 2006
Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova will open the games.
Canadian Olympic Gold medalist, swimmer Mark Tewksbury is the co-president of the World Outgames
The World Outgames is expecting 16,000 participants and 250,000 visitors for the games. Montréal expects 22% from Canada, 43% from the U.S., 30% from Europe and around 5% from the rest of the world.
Diane Dufresne and the Cirque du Soleil will perform for the Opening Ceremony
In addition to sporting events Montreal will be host to:
Montreal’s annual Gay Pride celebration will take place during the Outgames.
Choral Festival
Square Dance Events
Country Western Dance
Bands/Color Guard & Cheerleading competitions
Cost of individual registration for is $270 which includes entry into one sport – there is an addition $65 for entry in another sport up to a maximum of three.
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