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Outgames shines spotlight on human rights

Published 23.07.09   11:49 

The Outgames will highlight importance of LGBT rights, but some guests feel organisers need to be more realistic The Outgames aims to bring social inclusion to all regardless of gender or sexual preference, but one of the high profile guest...

The Outgames aims to bring social inclusion to all regardless of gender or sexual preference, but one of the high profile guest speakers is worried that it will not make a real difference to human rights.

Parvez Sharma is the gay Muslim filmmaker behind the documentary ‘A Jihad for Love’ which explored in detail the coexistence of Islam and homosexuality.

The Indian filmmaker will be speaking at the human rights conference that is being organised as part of the Outgames, which begins this week in Copenhagen, celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.

The week-long event will feature sport, cultural and social events, but the organisers are particularly pleased with the conference being run under the ‘Love of Freedom – Freedom to Love’ headline.

More than 300 speakers from 75 countries will be take part in identifying the successes and challenges facing LGBT recognition around the world, and Outgames chief executive Uffe Elbæk believes it is a vital part of the event.

‘There is still a lot of homophobia around the globe and that’s why the Outgames is so important and the human rights conference vitally crucial to understanding that,’ said Elbæk.

However, Sharma believes that organisers have to be realistic about what change can actually be accomplished.

‘I certainly hope it empowers people to go back and take action, but I’m not sure if the Outgames is able to equip people with the tools that are necessary to affect change,’ said Sharma, adding that the ideas of LGBT equality remained rooted in the Western world.

‘Even the language that is available to us, like LGBT in English, does not make sense in many other countries. The words of affirmation are absent in Arabic, Hindi, Farsi or other languages and people cannot take on the construct of being LGBT as an affirmative identity.’

The filmmaker was also concerned for those taking part that may face persecution in their home country. It has emerged that the organisers have allowed a number of participants to take part under aliases to protect their identities and have also recommended that they stay out of the media spotlight at the opening and closing ceremonies.

‘I understand quite profoundly what dangers may lie back home in terms of coming out in the open, but I think it sends a mixed message at the same time,’ said Sharma. ‘I have mixed feelings about people who represent communities or countries and cannot be out in the open as representatives.’

Almost of third of countries worldwide still criminalises same sex relationships and seven carry the death penalty for the offence.

Councillors at city hall have already called for some protection measures to be introduced such as granting political asylum or residence on humanitarian grounds to participants if they face reprisals after taking part. But parliamentary parties have indicated that there are no plans to grant asylum based solely on Outgames participation.

Elbæk also believes that despite recent reports showing that there were 178 reported cases of hate crimes against members of the LGBT communities in Copenhagen in the last seven months, the city is still a safe place to hold the event.

‘I’m a bit sad about some of the figures, but in the long-term it is very important that this is happening because it is the first time in Denmark that these crimes are being recorded and police are documenting hate crimes based on sexuality.’

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The Copenhagen Post