Tag Archives: Olympics

US gymnast and London 2012 prospect comes out

Pete Ellender

An American gymnast, hoping to compete at the London 2012 Olympics, has spoken publicly for the first time about his sexuality.

Josh Dixon, a seven-time all American who graduated from Stanford University, spoke with no fear in an interview with Outsports. He said:

“This would never affect how I’m judged or my position on the U.S. Olympic team”

Dixon is aiming to become the first openly gay Olympian outside of Equestrianism to represent the United States.

In his quest to reach this summer’s games, he recently finished second in US Men’s Olympic Qualifier, which took place on Saturday in Colorado Springs.

Click here to read the full interview.

LGBT History Month kicks off with Queer Question Time

Pete Ellender

This year’s LGBT History Month, will launch on Wednesday 1 February with a special edition of Queer Question Time (QQT) from Glaziers Hall, Southwark.

The event, now in its eight year, is a celebration of the lives and achievements of the LGBT community and this year is themed around the issue of “tackling homophobia and transphobia in the world of sport”.

A panel of five experts, chaired by Suran Dickson, founder of the charity Diversity Role Models – an organisation that seeks to tackle homophobia through education, will explore this issue, the forthcoming Olympics and Cultural Olympiad along with broader issues facing the LGBT community.

Speakers include BBC sports broadcaster Bob Ballard, GB Sitting Women’s Volleyball Olympic team member Claire Harvey, Dave Merchant – founder of the Marlin swimming group, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and the Football Association’s Kelly Simmons.

Doors open at 18:00, with music from the Pink Singers from 19:00. The debate begins at 19:30 and will last for around two hours. Although entrance is free, the organisers advise you to book your place in advance.

Contact Helen Laker at Southwark Council:

  • 0207 525 0848
  • Helen.Laker[at]southwark.gov.uk
  • Email your questions to askqqt[at]gmail.com

Queer Question Time flyer