Speech at a reception for Team Ireland – Gay Games 2018
Áras an Uachtaráin Tuesday 17th July 2018
A chairde,
Is cúis mhór áthais dom féin fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin inniu.
You are all most welcome here this morning to Áras an Uachtaráin as you prepare to travel to Paris to represent Ireland in the 10th Gay Games. I am delighted that so many of you will be taking part in this great celebration of diversity and inclusion.
Over three decades have passed since the founding of the Gay Games, and they have continued to go from strength to strength, attracting competitors from around the world in a great gathering that is open to all and exclusive of none.
Indeed, it is greatly impressive to know that a fundamental principal set out by the Federation of Gay Games is that no individual shall be excluded from participating on the basis of ‘sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political belief, athletic ability, physical challenge, age, or health status.’
That is a truly inclusive statement, reminding us that democracy can only be realised when all citizens are allowed the expectation that they have an opportunity to participate in the fullest sense; can aspire to live the life of their choice; have their voices heard; their talents respected; and be defined by their skills and abilities as they seek to fulfill all of their possibilities.
Sadly, too often in the past, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been excluded from that right of full participation in society, denied a visible presence or a voice. Indeed, some of you here will have experienced a time when orientation and identity was something that was forced to be a hidden secret in order to avoid discrimination or harassment in the workplace, in social situations, and often even at home. As President of Ireland I have spoken to some of those who were forced to leave Ireland not only because of what were then discriminatory and oppressive laws but also because of social attitudes too loosely excused on grounds of an ignorance or fundamentalist manipulation.
Recent years have seen Ireland make considerable progress in developing a genuine possibility of a culture of equality, tolerance and respect for every person. This change was far from an overnight transformation, rather it was due to tireless months and years of effort to raise public awareness of the issues and to challenge old preconceptions and attitudes.
As a society we can be deeply grateful to all those who have been involved in this emancipatory and life-enhancing work which has helped us to take steps towards the goal that every person in our society is to be treated with dignity and respect, and have their human rights fully protected.
We have always, in Ireland, viewed sport as something that represents a shared ground, a collective experience: something that brings us all together, though we may be of different backgrounds, communities and traditions, in a shared experience that combines both the agony and the ecstasy of human life.
We know, however, that sport has not always been a welcoming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. As in so many other areas of life, homophobia within the world of sports has often been a prevalent and excluding presence. Often dismissed as ‘banter’; homophobic language, verbal slurs and bullying have created, for many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people not merely an unpleasant and forbidding environment but a threatening and excluding one if they wished to engage in sport and sporting competitions. Very courageous men and women in sport have been an incredible help in changing attitudes. It is, however, far too slow in some sports. One need only take soccer and the tragic life of Justin Fashanu.
Thankfully, much has changed in recent years and continues to change in these more enlightened times. Increasing numbers of athletes are declaring their sexuality, with many willing to be spokespersons for LGBT issues. In addition many national and international sports bodies and organizations have begun to take measures to promote inclusion, while also speaking out against homophobia. To seek to avoid the reality of a threatening homophobia is to be a member of the ‘collaboration of the silent’ as Seamus Heaney put it in another context.
There can be no doubt that the Gay Games, originally termed the Gay Olympics, has been an inspiring leader in creating a fair and even playing field for sporting fans and embracing diversity in all its forms. Originally founded in 1986 to promote the visibility of gay people in sport, they are now open to all citizens, and have become an inspiring advocate for equality in the world of sport.
We can be very grateful to Tom Waddell who founded the Gay Games thirty-two years ago. Established in a very different world, it was a courageous and insightful decision indeed - sued as he was United States Olympic Committee for using the word ‘gay’ in association with ‘Olympics’, amidst fears it would be damaging to their reputation, and forced to change the title to ‘Gay Games’.
The event has thrived and flourished under that name, becoming a beacon of enlightenment In the sporting world. Next month thousands of people from eighty countries across the globe are expected to compete at the 10th games in Paris, a remarkable tribute to the vision of their late founder.
Amongst those thousands will be approximately ninety athletes, many of you here today, who will be flying the flag for Ireland as you take part in forty sports, over the ten days of this year’s games. All of you, together with your fellow competitors from other nations, will be sending a most uplifting and affirmative message around the world as you gather in a spirit of inclusiveness, coming together to celebrate, through the great medium of sport, the vindication of human rights through respect for diversity and all that we, as global citizens, share in common.
Some of you will return bearing medals, some of you may not. Medals are, of course important and a huge source of encouragement. But may I say that, whether or not you gain medals, you participate as citizens of whom we can be very, excellent role models, truly participative members of society, who have the courage to stand up in support of sport becoming a source of tolerance, fairness and equality.
Thank you for visiting me here today and may I wish you all every success and a most enjoyable time as you travel to France for the 2018 Gay Games.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
