Gay athletes (archives)
Photo: World Outgames
Foreign Ministry to sponsor gay Olympics' delegation
Group of athletes and artists to travel to Copenhagen for 2009 Wolrd Outgames with financial help of Foreign Ministry, which seeks to 'show world Israel's 'liberal, diverse face'
The Foreign Ministry has decided to send an Israeli delegation to the 2009 World Outgames in Copenhagen and even sponsor part of the expenses.
Gays and lesbians from dozens of countries across the world will travel to the Danish capital this summer for a 10-day festival that will include athletic competitions, cultural events and a human rights conference.
Gay Games
Denmark follows Canada's lead, set to host second World Outgames next summer. Organizers hope to use events to boost awareness to gay rights; Israel one of six countries to be allotted special features compound
Israel will be represented by a delegation of athletes and artists from Tel Aviv, which marks its 100th anniversary this year. The Israeli Embassy in Denmark will also cover some of the costs.
Among the more famous members of the delegation are singers Ivri Lider and Dana International, the Renana Raz dance troupe and a well-known DJ. A Druze dance company, whose dancers are not gay themselves, will also represent Tel Aviv.
The Israeli artists will perform at the Israeli compound in Copenhagen, which will be set up in the heart of the city and designed like a Tel Aviv beach, complete with deck chairs, Israeli food and the screening of Israeli movies.
A Foreign Ministry official explained that the decision to financially support the delegation was motivated by the wish to help show to the world Israel's liberal and diverse face.
