When you ask someone outside our community what they think queer people do for recreation, you’ll probably hear one of the following: sex, drinking, drugs, clubbing, shopping, makeup & hair, musical theatre, using various power tools, and more sex.
Unfortunately, these stereotypes are also usually the first thoughts GLBTQ people conjure up when thinking about fun things we want to do. But we’re people with varied interests, and we live in a province where healthy and active lifestyles are common with all groups, regardless of age, colour, gender, ability or orientation; and that’s why Team Edmonton started. Once again, the social recreation group is uniting people with diverse sports and fitness interests under one roof, in their annual Mixer and Silent Auction. I asked Keith Andony, Vice President of Team Edmonton and Co-Chair of the mixer, how it all began and why it was time for Edmonton to finally have a ”league of their own.”
“The first mixer was organized in 2007 as a launch party for Team Edmonton. At that time, most major cities in North America and Europe had a GLBTQ sports association but Edmonton did not. There was strong desire in the community to create a central location for up to date and accurate information for all of the various groups and sports, and to help promote all teams and groups. Team Edmonton took on the responsibility of maintaining a website and newsletter that would ensure that role was fulfilled.”
I heard there are athletes who will be representing Edmonton at the OutGames in Copenhagen in 2009, and asked if any members from Team Edmonton had traveled for the Gay-lympics before?
“The inaugural OutGames in Montreal provided the impetus to form an association that could help unify the GLBTQ sports and recreation community in Edmonton. Team Edmonton is looking at ways in which we can ensure that our athletes are visible on the international stage and recognized for their contributions.”
As well they should be, we have so much talent and drive in our community. But how do they get people involved to come out, in a manner of speaking? I know there are a lot of options to choose from within their ranks.
“The key to involvement is to provide participants with well organized and fun activities, whether they are team sports, like volleyball or slo-pitch, or independent activities like cross country skiing or swimming. The combination of doing a healthy activity and the social component of the groups is what drives the success of groups. The various groups tend to emphasize inclusion and support for participation. This means the competitive aspect of sports that often turns people off takes a back seat to fair play and good sportsmanship.”
Now for those who are interested and want to know more about which groups or teams there are, the Mixer is the best place you can find out. And what exactly can you expect at such an event as this?
“The mixer is a casual and comfortable environment in which current and new participants can meet representatives from the various GLBTQ sports and recreation community. What has been noted from our previous mixers is how much the attendees enjoy the diversity of the crowd as it has a full spectrum of gender, age and ability....and the $3.00 microbrewery beers.”
Affordable, locally brewed beer, and also hot performances and fun to be had all night? I know I’ll be there! In fact, I have even heard that Mz. Connie Lingua and the girls from Personal Fit are teaming up to perform a very aerobic “Single Ladies” routine by none other than hot bodied Beyonce herself. Maybe the mile-thigh-high goddess herself would join us for some volleyball?
