A truly inspirational story written by a Gay Games 10 Paris 2018 participant, who heard about the Paris event through Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2022. They were unable to afford to attend, until they were sponsored by the French embassy.
My
name is Jiyun Jeon and I am going to participate in a swimming
competition at the 2018 Paris Gay Games (200m freestyle, 50m
backstroke). At this moment, I suppose that I am the only Korean
participant in this event. Actually, without the support of the French
Embassy in South Korea, it might be impossible for me to go Paris.
Therefore, I would like to share my story with you.
Originally,
I am a member of FC Canon Shooter, which is a feminist & LGBTQ
friendly female amateur futsal team. In February 2018, a ministry of
sports in France “Laura Flessel” visited South Korea to participate at
the Pyeongchang Olympics.There, the embassy of France made a venue for
LGBTQ right activists and people enjoying sports in LGBTQ friendly club
to meet Laura Flessel. At the gathering, activists explained the current
situation in the LGBTQ community and human rights in Korea. Also,
everyone discussed how to make Olympics become more open and equal to
everyone, whatever their sexual identity might be. At that time, for the
first time, I learned about the “gay olympics” that will be held in
Paris. However, it sounds like a dream for me.
At
that place, I also talked about my fultsal team members wish, the
members of FC Canon Shooter’s wanted me to wear an uniform to promote
our team at the luncheon. Unfortunately, the weather was freezing cold
and I didn’t have any idea what to wear at that venue. So, I just wore
formal clothes, not uniform. When I shared that story with Laura
Flessel, surprisingly she and an Ambassador of France in Korea suggested
to me, “why don’t we take a picture with your team wearing uniform?”,
when Laura Flessel visited South Korea again to participate in
Paralympics in March. Therefore, I happily accepted that suggestion.
In a month(on 8 March 2018), that event really happened in Seoul, South Korea.
And
just like that, the friendship between FC Canon Shooter and the embassy
of France began! With these two surprising events, the embassy of
France in Korea requested to know if any of the FC Canon Shooter members
could participate in the 2018 Paris Gay Games. They said that they
could support one person from a team, by covering the cost for flight
ticket and meal during visit. After having a discussion within the team,
I decided to attend the game. As other members can’t afford to go
Paris, I changed the subject of sport from futsal to swimming as I’ve
enjoyed it for 7 years. Therefore, on behalf of my team, I would like to
actively participate in this meaningful game and expand the LGBTQ
network as well.
Besides that, I would like to share the story of 2018 queer female games as well.
17
June 2018 in Seoul, for the first time Korean LGBTQ acitivst groups
held the queer female games in Seoul. No matter what their sexual
identity, LGBTQ people were able to freely attend this event and enjoy
the game itself. There are 3 kinds of competitions, badminton,
basketball and relay running.
Actually,
in 2017 same the event was supposed to be held. However, some
homophobic religious groups for several days kept making horrific calls
to the local government and protesting in front of a stadium that is
planned to be a venue. As a result, a month before the planned event
date the local government cancelled the reservation of that place.That’s
why the queer female game was delayed to this year.
In
order to celebrate 2018 female queer games in Korea, the organization
asked FC Canon Shooter to have a pre-match with a rival. Therefore on 10
June 2018 FC Canon Shooter had a match with another female futsal team.
For your ref, I have shared a picture with you below:
Also,
in September 2018, the embassy of France in Korea will invite us to the
France Sports Festival. We are going to have a match with a French
school team supporting LGBTQ rights.
The FC Canon Shooter members really hope to participate at Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2022,
as it is not very far from South Korea. Therefore, I really wish to
meet as many people from Asia as I can in Paris. Also, as it is very
meaningful experience for me, if it is possible, I would like to
interview organizers of 2018 Paris Gay Games.
About us
Show your support and stay up to date on all important Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2022 announcements by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We can’t wait to celebrate with you in 4 years at Gay Games 11 in Hong Kong!
Connect with Gay Games Hong Kong 2022
Website: http://www.gaygameshk2022.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GayGamesHK2022
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gaygameshk2022
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaygameshk2022/
Paris 2018 Gay Games Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GayGamesParis2018ParticipantsAsia/
Prepared for publishing by: Prosperity Research Digital Agency(PRDA): PRDA’s Founder Douglas White developer of proven 5 step, 4 KPIs process of Social Media Marketing.
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