Vienna celebrates variety: Opening of the photo exhibition Queer Sports!

Vienna celebrates variety: Opening of the photo exhibition Queer Sports!

The exhibition shows impressive pictures of queer in sports as well as sports offers that are specifically geared towards the LGBTQ+ community. An outstanding piece is a documentary photo by photographer Renate Schwarzmüller, which was taken in Vienna during the Eurogames 2024. The Eurogames are considered the largest regular LGBTIQ*sports event in Europe, organized by the Eurogames Vienna association with the support of the city of Vienna. Under the motto "Embrace Diversity", around 4,000 athletes took part in 31 different sports. The Eurogames are not only a sports event, but also a festival of diversity and joie de vivre.

variety in sport and challenges

Wilhelm emphasized that sport not only has positive sides, but also characterized by pressure to perform, doping, sexism, racism and the discrimination against LGBTIQ personnel. At the international level, only a few athletes come out during their career, and queer people often experience exclusion and discrimination in popular sports. These challenges urgently need to be addressed to promote an inclusive sports culture.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community are often confronted with misanthropy and exclusion in everyday life. In addition, homosexuality is punishable in 69 countries, while in seven countries there is even threatening the death penalty for same -sex sex. In the sports world, the outing can be perceived as an act of courage, but there are often negative professional consequences such as the loss of sponsors or the exclusion from teams. Safety concerns can vary depending on the sport and prominence of the athletes.

commitment to discrimination

Vienna is a founding member of the RCN-Rainbow Cities network, which combines over 50 cities on four continents. This network aims to discuss local approaches in anti-discrimination and equality policy and to implement joint projects. The exhibition "Queer Sports" can be seen daily from 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Arkadenhof Gallery in the Arkadenhof Gallery in the Vienna City Hall. It is a sign of Engagement to strengthen the visibility and rights of the LGBTQ+ community in sports.

dealing with LGBTQ+ topics varies among specialist associations and sponsors, often influenced by high investments and sponsorship. The struggle for more rights and inclusion in sport remains a continuous challenge, especially in countries that legally pursue queer people. The case of the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexual fans were stopped not to show their sexuality publicly, is just an example of the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community has in sport.