South Asia's first 'gay games' begin in Nepal - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19929010[/url] [quote=BBC News][B]A gay rights group in Nepal is staging South Asia's first tournament for gay athletes, in the capital Kathmandu.[/B] Organisers said more than 300 gay, bisexual and transgender athletes from 30 countries were registered to compete in the three-day event. The festival aims to promote the rights of sexual minorities. Homosexuality is illegal in many South Asian countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan where those convicted can face life imprisonment. In Nepal, homosexuality was decriminalised in 2007 with the end of the monarchy. Supreme Court judges have instructed the new democratic government to ensure equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. [B]'Spirit of sport'[/B] But activists say the Nepali LGBTI community still suffers from discrimination and abuse. They want the government to allow individuals who identify themselves as transgender to be able to do so on official documents. The tournament is being organised by Blue Diamond Society, a Nepali gay rights group, with the support of foreign embassies. Blue Diamond said it would "prove that sexual and gender minority individuals are as much a member of society as anyone else and they can also take part in mainstream activities such as sports, contrary to popular misconceptions". The event was officially opened by Greg Louganis, a former US Olympic diving champion who is openly gay. In his opening address, he urged participants to "keep up the spirit of sport". Organisers said athletes from Bangladesh and Pakistan had registered to take part despite the dangers, alongside around 250 Nepalis and 100 from other countries including Russia and Denmark. The athletes will not be representing their countries, but will be participating as individuals in events including athletics, football, badminton and basketball.[/quote]

I don't understand using events like these to distinguish oneself when the goal is to promote the idea that everyone is equal and the same.

This is fucking stupid. This is just PROMOTING separatists laws.

[QUOTE=soccerskyman;38026529]This is fucking stupid. This is just PROMOTING separatists laws.[/QUOTE] Please, do explain how that is so. The idea of doing these types of events are to raise awareness about the situation. I doubt that EVERYONE participating is an LGBT.

[QUOTE=Sandvich;38026479]I don't understand using events like these to distinguish oneself when the goal is to promote the idea that everyone is equal and the same.[/QUOTE] It's why I don't like Gay Pride parades "We want equal rights, we want to be treated fairly. straight couples get 1300~ rights that we don't have access to because we're gay and can't be married, even though we're just like you!" But then they walk by in these weird ass floats and bright pink hotpants with glitter stuck on their bare chests, which is the tame part It seems to me like doing stuff like that is counter intuitive to their cause

[QUOTE=3picFail;38026574]Please, do explain how that is so. The idea of doing these types of events are to raise awareness about the situation. I doubt that EVERYONE participating is an LGBT.[/QUOTE] I suppose that is possible, but the article makes it sound its a separate tournament exclusively for LGBT. [editline]13th October 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=TheTalon;38026581]It's why I don't like Gay Pride parades "We want equal rights, we want to be treated fairly. straight couples get 1300~ rights that we don't have access to because we're gay and can't be married, even though we're just like you!" But then they walk by in these weird ass floats and bright pink hotpants with glitter stuck on their bare chests, which is the tame part It seems to me like doing stuff like that is counter intuitive to their cause[/QUOTE] This same argument could be applied to literally every protest for equality ever.

[QUOTE=soccerskyman;38026647]I suppose that is possible, but the article makes it sound its a separate tournament exclusively for LGBT.[/QUOTE] Obviously its intended for LGBT. Most likely, being able to participate in the tournament you might be required to be LGBT. But the concept isn't about separating anyone from anything, its about getting behind a cause and raising awareness.

-snip-

[QUOTE=soccerskyman;38026647]I suppose that is possible, but the article makes it sound its a separate tournament exclusively for LGBT. [editline]13th October 2012[/editline] This same argument could be applied to literally every protest for equality ever.[/QUOTE] Could just be my way of thinking but if I wanted to be treated the same as other people, I'd just act like other people, and not too terribly out of the norm like a fancy parade. I'm all for gay rights and hope that they get the same things straight people do, but I've seen first hand how that parade turns heads even worse than they were already turned

The purpose behind events such as these is not to separate. This event says 'hey look, we are breaking the stereotype that we are less than you', similar to the need for role models within minorities. Alike to pride parades, the secondary purpose is to enter the public spotlight. Acting the same as other people is irrelevant; if anything at any event like a pride parade actually manages to offend you, you are too easily agitated. I'm sure a lot of the same arguments from the gaymercon thread could come back in this one, so to put it shortly: there is nothing bad about holding an event centered around common interests (such as athletics) with people similar to yourself. Especially in the case of the LGBT community, which can have a hard time finding each other. Bonus points for the public acceptance message.

[QUOTE=TheTalon;38026581]It's why I don't like Gay Pride parades "We want equal rights, we want to be treated fairly. straight couples get 1300~ rights that we don't have access to because we're gay and can't be married, even though we're just like you!" But then they walk by in these weird ass floats and bright pink hotpants with glitter stuck on their bare chests, which is the tame part It seems to me like doing stuff like that is counter intuitive to their cause[/QUOTE] I'm so glad we have straight people like you to provide insight into how gay pride parades should be run!

[QUOTE=MisterMooth;38027273]I'm so glad we have straight people like you to provide insight into how gay pride parades should be run![/QUOTE] Straight people are people too.

[QUOTE=TheTalon;38026581]It's why I don't like Gay Pride parades "We want equal rights, we want to be treated fairly. straight couples get 1300~ rights that we don't have access to because we're gay and can't be married, even though we're just like you!" But then they walk by in these weird ass floats and bright pink hotpants with glitter stuck on their bare chests, which is the tame part It seems to me like doing stuff like that is counter intuitive to their cause[/QUOTE] Hey, I was in a gay pride parade because I wanted to support my friend. Halifax has the 3rd largest parade in Canada, and all sorts of people are in it, not just ~the gays~. The police, fire department, the MPs, the mayor, many of the schools. It isn't too racy. I marched alongside the Canadian Federation of Students, it was pretty awesome.

Sure, there can be a gay pride parade, but whenever I try to get my white pride parade going there's a bunch of protesters.

[QUOTE=A B.A. Survivor;38027622]Sure, there can be a gay pride parade, but whenever I try to get my white pride parade going there's a bunch of protesters.[/QUOTE]Cue the sadly predictable 100+ agrees.