European Gay Games in Barcelona

More than 5,000 athletes, gay and straight, from across Europe are converging on Barcelona for the Eurogames which get underway on Thursday in the Spanish port city, organisers said.

Organizers have revealed that more than 5,000 athletes, gay and straight, from across Europe are converging on Barcelona for the Eurogames which start Thursday.

More than 30,000 tourists are expected to attend the Olympics-style games which could pump 30 million euros (47.6 million US dollars) into the local economy, according to Barcelona gay sports group Panteras Grogues (Yellow Panthers) which is organising the event.

Gay Marriage Ban by California Supreme Court Likely!
California's highest court will give its ruling on the legality of the state's ban on gay marriages on Thursday, a long-awaited milestone that could have a nationwide impact on the issue.

The four-day event will kick off with a colourful opening ceremony on Thursday at the Palau Sant Jordi indoor sporting arena, one of the main venues of the 1992 Summer Olympics which has a seating capacity for 17,000 people.

The athletes will compete in 28 different sports including tennis, swimming, track and field, basketball but also same-sex versions of ballroom dancing in venues across Barcelona.

Conferences and cultural events will be held at the same time as the sports events.

First Nationwide Pride Marches By Indian Gays
Indias' lesbians and gays say that they will be coming out for the first nationwide pride marches this weekend.

The Eurogames are open to everyone, irrespective of sex, age, sexual identity or physical abilities.

They are hosted by license of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation and organised by one or more of the federation's member clubs.

Russian Gays Seek Medvedev's Backing for Parade
Russian gays appealed on Friday to new President Dmitry Medvedev to overturn a ban on a planned gay pride parade in Moscow.

The first Eurogames were held in the Hague in the Netherlands in 1992. The event was held last year in Antwerp, Belgium.

Source-AFP
RAS/M

Gays in California Prepare to Wed
Gay and lesbian couples will begin exchanging vows across California on Monday, one month after the state's highest court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage in a historic ruling.