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Online Video of Keynotes from 2003 and 2004
2003 Program
Survey/Vote |
GLAF Announces Team DC as Host for 2005 Conference August 6th, 2004 written by Monica VanBuskirk CAMBRIDGE, MA – After submissions from several cities, and a lengthy review process, the Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation (GLAF) has chosen Washington D.C. as the site for its 2005 International Gay & Lesbian Athletics Conference. Team DC is the umbrella group of GLBT sports clubs in the Washington, DC area, and submitted the proposal to host GLAF’s 2005 Conference slated for March 11-13, 2005. Brent Minor, the president of Team DC, said, “Team DC is excited about the opportunity to host the third annual International Gay & Lesbian Athletics Conference. We have a thriving GLBT sports community here in the Washington, D.C. area, so it only seemed natural that they would choose to come here.” Minor also recognized that Team DC’s values were in line with GLAF’s, “We wholeheartedly support the goals of the Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation to address the issues of homophobia as they relate to sports at all levels from professionals to the recreational participant.” The newly refined mission for GLAF states that GLAF “promotes acceptance and visibility of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) athletics community through education, support networks, positive role models and advocacy.” Team DC will handle all the logistics of hosting the Conference, while GLAF will continue to organize the content for the Conference and work with Team DC to bring renowned keynotes and panelists to speak as they have at the last two Conferences. Mac Chinsomboon, GLAF Executive Director, noted that, “The last two Conferences have had such contagious energy, that we’re eager to bring the discussion and networking opportunities to another community.” Minor added: “hosting the GLAF Conference is not only a huge honor for Team DC, but it will help raise the awareness of the large number of GLBT sport clubs in the greater Washington, DC area. While many gay and lesbian people may have been uncomfortable to participate in sports growing up, we are proud to show them how many opportunities there are now and to how to get involved.” Chinsomboon echoed this sentiment in an interview last year: “Sport is the last bastion of homophobia and the Conference is the gathering of individuals working to make a difference and learn from one another – high school, collegiate, professional, Olympic, recreational” Looking at the greater impact on society, Chinsomboon adds, “The conference isn’t just for ‘jocks’ but it’s for everyone and it’s about growing up and having positive role models, mentors, and heroes. Could we save lives in the process and at least make the coming out process less painful and less shameful? Consider stories like those of Matthew Shepard and how it could be different. Sports is a powerful force in our culture!” GLAF’s last two conferences, held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge and Boston City Hall, had speakers including Olympic athletes, retired professional athletes, health practitioners, authors, representatives from ESPN, NCAA, US Olympic Committee and others from around the world. GLAF has a star-studded Advisory Board, among the them are tennis legend, Billie Jean King; former NFL players, Dave Kopay and Esera Tuaolo; former Major League Baseball player, Billy Bean; Olympian gold medalists, Holly Metcalf and Mark Tewksbur; former National Baseball League umpire, Dave Pallone; author of Jocks II, Dan Woog; the still competing four-time Triple Ironman World Champion, Christopher Bergland, and others. For more information about GLAF’s, past conferences, the newly launched athlete scholarship fund, and streaming video of past keynotes, please visit: www.GLAF.org. RESOURCES: Team DC CONTACTS |
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| See last year's videos and photos. Read the testimonials from 2003.. |
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