For the first time ever, gay Olympic athletes have a retreat to call home.. The Vancouver Olympics opened its Pride House to athletes and the public on Feb. 15, three days after the opening ceremonies were broadcast live on NBC.
The house was was concieved by Gay Whistler to promote the area’s Gay Ski Week, which is the largest annual LGBT ski event and begins the day after the Olympics close.
Pride House is not only a resource for gay athletes and fans, but also a statement to fight homophobia in sports.
“We hope it will give our athletes more confidence to be authentic,” Gay Whistler CEO Dean Nelson told Outsports.com.
Pride House was modeled after a pavilion at the World Expo and features TV monitors so visitors can keep up on races and performances. A speakers’ chalet will be set up where people can share their stories. Organizers also plan an information session on Canadian immigration law.
“In no way does it imply the person’s sexual orientation,” Nelson said. “This pavilion is available for athletes and trainers of all stripes—including non-Olympians—to have a comfortable place to meet other people.”
Organizers hope Pride House will become a tradition at all future Olympiads.
