Gay Olympics....Wtf!!

[Headdrivehardscrew]

Most of the answers to your questions can be found in the FAQ page for the Gay Games (as they're called).

http://gaygamesblog.blogspot.co.uk/p/faq.html

Oh, and straight people are allowed to take part, too.

I feel it's a bit against the nature and purpose of what the original Olympic Games used to be. But seeing that the actual, official Olympic Games don't quite subscribe to the noble ideas of the original, my reaction could totally consist of a resounding 'meh'.

I certainly wouldn't renew my Sky Sports subscription for this.

Then again, if they went back to the roots and did it all stark naked, I'd probably enjoy watching it, gay or not. It's about the sports, I hope, and not fisting competitions or pee games?

As long as there is no novelty factor or main unique selling point, I think it's even quite a bit offensive. Guess how many top athletes were/are gay? It's really not part of the competition.

The Olympics for disabled people make sense. Gay Olympics doesn't tingle my tastebuds. But as long as people support it and, what do I know, buy coffee mugs and t-shirts, hooray and yay for everyone involved.

 

[Piorn]

Are we locking homosexuals out of sports events now? And they do it to themselves, you say?
I guess Heterophobia is a thing now, too.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

spoiler
the women win

That's a woman?!

OT: I must admit, it would be fun to have an Olympics that's all about being really happy and joyful.

Psssst... Its not that kind of gay. Its more like... You know... Gaaaay Olympics.

Oh, why derail this completely serious thread. Damn you.

OK. Escapists, meet Caroline Wang. The greatest female bodybuilder of all time. She likes Lady Gaga and Kesha.


http://www.buzzraider.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/caroline-wang.jpg

And you thought Arnie Schwarzenegger was overdoing it...

 

[Calibanbutcher]

spoiler
the women win

That's a woman?!

OT: I must admit, it would be fun to have an Olympics that's all about being really happy and joyful.

Psssst... Its not that kind of gay. Its more like... You know... Gaaaay Olympics.

Oh, why derail this completely serious thread. Damn you.

OK. Escapists, meet Caroline Wang. The greatest female bodybuilder of all time. She likes Lady Gaga and Kesha.


http://www.buzzraider.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/caroline-wang.jpg

And you thought Arnie Schwarzenegger was overdoing it...

That...
That's a guy.
No, really, that is the face of a man.
I have known less manly men.
And I am pretty sure she could grow a better beard than me.

Seriously there is no way that this is simply the result of training.
Either she has some hormonal issues, has taken hormones, or has balls.

 

[Professor Lupin Madblood]

This thread reminds me of things I've seen on Funnyjunk.

Jesus, Escapist. You really let yourself go.

 

[RobfromtheGulag]

This thread brought the humorous mental image of a guy trying to grab another guy's ass as they run a race.

 

[101flyboy]

There is no double standard. Straight people aren't discriminated against. Gay people are. There are all types of events for all different groups but when the word GAY is included, people have a problem. Why is that? Because homosexuality is still stigmatized. Because homosexuality is still something that is "supposed" to be hidden. Well, we're not doing that anymore. So until we feel comfortable to be ourselves in everyday society, we're going to see events like this. We don't want to deal with homophobia and heterosexism anymore. We're done being victims. We're going to FIGHT for our rights in everyday society, sure. But that doesn't mean we can't have our me time, and our time to let our hair down and actually be the ones who are celebrated and embraced.

 

[101flyboy]

Are we locking homosexuals out of sports events now? And they do it to themselves, you say?
I guess Heterophobia is a thing now, too.

Heterophobia? LOL. More like your privilege is showing. It's not all about you. We love our straight allies, but the reality is, everyday society has and continues to fail LGBTQ citizens. It's not our fault for seeking out acceptance and comfort. We shouldn't have to do so, we shouldn't be forced on the fringes, but we are, and it's not our fault whatsoever.

Straight people aren't locked out of this event. It's simply all-inclusive. And truly accepting.

 

[Carlos Storm]

My old Science teacher/school wrestling coach was in the gay games in sydney 02, that's really about all I have to add to this conversation.

 

[101flyboy]

There's a big difference between straight allies and everyday straight people.

Everyday straight people are the ones who complain about gay people seeking their OWN place in the world, while doing absolutely nothing to make gay people feel welcome in the everyday world.

Heterosexism. Heteronormativity. Everyday straight people make our sexuality an issue by not fully accepting us for who we are. That doesn't mean all who fit this category are like this, but a majority are. Straight allies are truly accepting and loving. Why do you want us to associate with you when you do nothing to fight for us, and do nothing to make us feel comfortable? It doesn't work that way. We're done with that. It's 2013. We're making our own place in society. You're free to join if you're straight. You're free to fight to stop the discrimination in the everyday world and make it a more comfortable place for LGBTQ citizens. Or you can complain and sit on your hands about how much of a victim you are, when you have no clue what LGBTQ citizens AND straight allies go through on an every day basis.

Being gay in this world, you learn who your real friends are and who aren't your real friends. If you want to believe you're a friend to us, prove it. Otherwise, it's best you stop speaking on things you don't understand.

 

[Canadish]

*sigh* Wow.

First people have problem with a gay con. Now they have a problem with the Gay Games which are held since 1982. And they post question that can only be regarded as stupid. Why? Read the FAQ, most questions asked here are answered there. Why the need for a seperate Olympics that promotes all sexualities etc.

/golfclap

Escapist...

Pray tell, what is y'all problem with events catering to specific demographics that aren't you? Do you feel so fucking entitled to every event catering only to your tastes?

I still don't understand this attitude.

If the usual events went out their way to make LGBT feel like outsiders I'd get it, but I'm just not seeing that. They're not about sexuality in the first place (in relation to the Gaymer con thing).

I don't think there is many people here actively mad that "its not catering to them", rather it just seems like a backwards step and the fact homosexuality really has nothing to do with games. Most games don't even touch hetro sex.
Kind of like throwing a "NRA gamer con: For everyone who likes guns, but you're welcome even if you don't!". Guns are seen in alot of games, but no games are really about guns in the first place.
I suppose I can see the desire to have an event where you can meet like-minded people and have panels that specifically focus on the LGBT community in gaming.


The Olympic one makes a little more sense, with the transsexual community and all that.
Though I was under the impression gay people were welcome to participate in the Olympics regardless? This just seems like an odd banner to rally under if you want to have your own smaller event.

I could be mistaken on a few things here mind you, I'm just speaking from observation here.

 

[dashiz94]

You want to know why they're doing this? Check the first bout of comments, THEY'RE ALL GAY JOKES. Way to discuss something like this intellectually Escapists.

Now to answer your question, and correct a false assertion you made, you need to understand that just because it's a gay olympics DOESN'T MEAN THAT STRAIGHT PEOPLE CAN'T PARTICIPATE EITHER. Your whole point on segregation is flawed because the Gay Olympics isn't about separating gays from straights, it's about celebrating gay athletes. No one's telling the straights can't join because they're too hetero. Every time something like this comes up, whether it's a Gaymer Con or Gay Olympics, posters like you jump up and down screaming "SEGREGATION SEGREGATION SEGREGATION" before stopping yourself and realizing that segregation is about who's being EXCLUDED, whereas these kinds of things are about bringing a specific group of people (in this case gays) closer together, and they don't exclude other groups. It's the equivalent of Black or Asian frats at a college, no one's saying a white guy can't join, but it's about black or asian connectedness, why would a white person want to be there anyway?

 

[Hagi]

From what I'm reading on their website it's not really a Gay Olympics so much as a "No Homophones" Olympics.

Which makes it pretty smart naming. The one sports event a homophobe is unlikely to participate in is one that's called the Gay Games.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

Are we locking homosexuals out of sports events now? And they do it to themselves, you say?
I guess Heterophobia is a thing now, too.

Heterophobia? LOL. More like your privilege is showing. It's not all about you. We love our straight allies, but the reality is, everyday society has and continues to fail LGBTQ citizens. It's not our fault for seeking out acceptance and comfort. We shouldn't have to do so, we shouldn't be forced on the fringes, but we are, and it's not our fault whatsoever.

Straight people aren't locked out of this event. It's simply all-inclusive. And truly accepting.

LOOK! I TAKE PEEN UP THE VAG AND YET, AMAZINGLY, I STILL TRY TO BE A KIND, GENTLE, NICE AND DECENT PERSON! SHOCKER!

Honey, I live in an environment where the issues of society are of consequence to the ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ fringes of society, not just the LGBT ones, and we're not undercut by people with a hard-left stance and marching orders to 'transform' society. As it happens, the knuckle-headed bible-thumpers are our epic enemies, yes, but that doesn't mean the quran-and-axe-wielding 'caring' fathers are any less of a threat, or the fervent frontline fighters promoting veganism or gay lifestyle. In my books, they're all cuntmuffins I could easily do without. They're all out to pee in everybody else's soup, and they all feel entitled and special in one way or another.

I live with people that respect their own religion and lifestyle as well as those of others, who are destined or chose to live life differently. We're all in this together. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Equal rights, no discrimination, s'all good, really. Just don't shove your sexuality up other people's bumholes and expect to get a loving embrace wherever you go. I'm 100% sympathetic to who and what you are, I just don't like your warrior stance. It feels so troglodytic to me. Just sayin'.

PS: What's the Q in your LGBTQ stand for? Queer? Is that a word again? How does it differ from Gay & Lesbian?

 

[101flyboy]

LOOK! I TAKE PEEN UP THE VAG AND YET, AMAZINGLY, I STILL TRY TO BE A KIND, GENTLE, NICE AND DECENT PERSON! SHOCKER!

It's not like that at all. It really isn't. It's not a war against straight people, and it's not that we are suspicious of all straight people. Considering straight people participate in these events that are being discussed such as the Gay Olympics. But we don't want to have to deal with the drama, the spotlight, the questions, the hate, the lack of understanding, 24/7. We really don't and we deserve me time away from it all.

Honey, I live in an environment where the issues of society are of consequence to the ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ fringes of society, not just the LGBT ones, and we're not undercut by people with a hard-left stance and marching orders to 'transform' society.

Well, I guess that means that LGBTQ persons are simply in a better position to get our point across. We're in a position where we're less able to associate within everyday society, less so than others on the fringes. What I do know is that other groups aren't completely institutionally and socially discriminated against quite like LGBTQ citizens are. At the end of the day, we're tired of it all, and we're not giving marching orders, we're making it clear that, hey, this is where we stand, and you either are on our team, you either respect us, or you're not and you don't. That's pretty much where we're at, at this point of the game.

It takes standing up and fighting back to get where you need to in this world.

As it happens, the knuckle-headed bible-thumpers are our epic enemies, yes, but that doesn't mean the quran-and-axe-wielding 'caring' fathers are any less of a threat, or the fervent frontline fighters promoting veganism or gay lifestyle. In my books, they're all cuntmuffins I could easily do without. They're all out to pee in everybody else's soup, and they all feel entitled and special in one way or another.

The thing is that some people are very much entitled to be angry and are very much entitled to fight for themselves and fight for their rights. And that doesn't mean you feel any more special or more equal than others, in fact, the opposite is true. It's about NOT being treated special for who you are, but being treated as equals. And being respected and valued as tax-paying, law-abiding, productive human beings.

I live with people that respect their own religion and lifestyle as well as those of others, who are destined or chose to live life differently. We're all in this together.

Are we? I'm not seeing it. I don't find that we're all in this together. I find people going out of their way to create division. And to be mean. And to create hostility. And not really supporting and accepting people for who they are. We all may live differently, sure, and yes, that should be respected. But if you play with fire and get burned enough times, you're going to stop playing in the fire.

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Equal rights, no discrimination, s'all good, really. Just don't shove your sexuality up other people's bumholes and expect to get a loving embrace wherever you go. I'm 100% sympathetic to who and what you are, I just don't like your warrior stance. It feels so troglodytic to me. Just sayin'.

Standing up for who you are and speaking out against discrimination isn't shoving a sexuality in anyone's face. Shoving my sexuality in people's face would be forcing you to watch me fuck a man or kiss a man. Or forcing you to attend a pride parade. None of that is occurring. What is occurring are LGBTQ citizens and our straight allies standing up and making it clear we're done with the bullshit and we're not taking it anymore.

My warrior stance isn't about isolating ourselves from everyone and then dumping on those who aren't part of our pack. We really, really would love everyone to be accepting and respectful and understanding. We would LOVE to be out, open, free and feel completely comfortable in our own skin in everyday society. But we don't, and as long as we don't, we need to seek our different avenues to find our place in society and actually, you know, be able to live without a constant burden on your back.

PS: What's the Q in your LGBTQ stand for? Queer? Is that a word again? How does it differ from Gay & Lesbian?

Questioning/Queer. Queer is the term for those who reject gender binaries and socially-constructed, distinct sexual identities.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Actually, I think this is even more accurate than the "real" Olympics. What I read it's about personal bests without the need of being in some kind of international ranking and an atmosphere where homosexuality is not mocked. Kind of the point of the original Greek Olympics since the participants there were, after all, amateur homosexuals.

This. And this:

Seems like more of an 'amateur', for lack of a better term, Olympics.

Anyone can participate, regardless of ability, age, sexual orientation, race, gender, nationality, political or religious beliefs, ethnic origins, or HIV status. Athletes represent their cities and not their countries.

Also, they've been around since 1968. They seem to be offering a more..open forum for competition.

I don't see any discussion value here. OP, maybe you should actually do some research (see above) before you go saying things that one might consider offensive, close minded, or just plain ignorant.

Also, I feel like we just had this conversation about something similar. Use the Search Bar, please.

/人◕‿‿◕人\

 

[geK0]

first thought: "wtf, why are they segregating themselves like that? why no just play in the olympics?"

Well, apparently according to their webstite, they allow straight people to play, so it's not really segregation. Seems like they just want a friendly environment to play in; nothing wrong with that really.

 

[arkwright]

I just want to see the opening ceremony.

That is going to be awesome.

 

[Defenestra]

It's not about segregation, or excluding straight people. That much is pretty clear.

The point is more about making a sporting competition that explicitly is a place where the non-straight fit in. If you're straight (or in a broader sense, if you fit in to all or nearly all of the categories that your society considers a normal person and you thus are almost never made to feel marginalized or excluded), then you have no concept of what it's like to be perpetually on guard for the next time someone treats you like less of a person just because you don't line up perfectly with what they think a person is.

The Gay Olympics (along with other events explicitly made to welcome the non-straight) make a place where non-straight people can feel like they fit in just fine. One less thing to worry about that takes a weight off their minds so they can just focus on what they are there to do. In the process, it serves as a reminder to the rest of society that they are there and they are people. And maybe it helps to establish them as normal.

And to those who say that gays are already accepted, or at least not hated, and shouldn't go deliberately drawing attantion to themselves like this, I must direct your attention to Uganda. Where the government is seriously considering a bill to put the death penalty on engagin in or promoting homosexual activity.

When there isn't a country in the world where you can suggest that kind of thing without immediately being reviled as a dangerous psychotic, the Gay Olympics will be on its way to success.

And even if we get to a point where being non-straight carries no kind of social stigma at all, the Gay Olympics will still have a palce. Any excuse for a party.

 

[101flyboy]

The jokes on the first page, while I know aren't meant to offend, are still highlighting the fact gay people aren't taken serious. Our livelihoods still are seen as something to point and laugh at. We're not going to do all of the work, nor are our straight allies. Everyday heterosexuals need to pick up the slack at SOME POINT. It's sort of like at this point, we aren't removing ourselves from society, we're removing bigotry from OUR society.

You're either with us, or you're not with us. Everyone is invited, sexuality, race, religion be damned. Just know the rules and be a team player.