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Content about the Olympics

May 17, 2013
Eurovision finals: a smorgasboard of glitz and glam

The European Song Contest reaches an epic conclusion with not one, but two gay kisses, and an appearance by Bonnie Tyler

The Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s most watched annual TV program with an expected audience of over 100 million people. It is known for its kitsch songs, flash costumes and over the top performances…and this year is no exception!

The beginning of this year’s final resembles the opening of the Olympics as all 26 competing nations enter the arena waving their respective flags. They make their way along an elevated platform whilst a choir sings a new song written by Abba’s Bjorn and Benny especially for the contest.

May 12, 2013
The beginner's guide to Eurovision in six bits of trivia

On Saturday (18 May) approximately 100 million people around the world will watch the Eurovision Song Contest. But what if you have no idea what's going on?

On Saturday (18 May) approximately 100 million people around the world will watch the Eurovision Song Contest. First launched in Switzerland in 1956, Eurovision is not just a musical fixture but a continent-wide institution Europeans love and sometimes love to mock. 

For those who have never heard of the competition – think of it as a hybrid of American Idol with original songs and the World Cup or Olympics. 

April 25, 2013
Scott Mills on Eurovision and why Sam Fox should represent Britain

Ahead of his coverage on Eurovision for BBC3, gay Radio One DJ Scott Mills tells GSN he wants to see former Sun glamor model Samantha Fox, sing in the competition for the UK in 2014

For the uninitiated, the Eurovision Song Contest is the continent’s most baffling contribution to culture. Some countries take it super-seriously, others (step forward the UK) treat it as a bit of a joke and, as a result, tend to lose. Embarrassingly. For Europe’s gays meanwhile, Eurovision – good or bad – is the perfect excuse for a party.

February 27, 2013
Glasgow 2014 games targeting gays and lesbians

The organizers of Commonwealth Games are keen to tap into the value that can be created by the LGBT community

While the London 2012 Olympics have been generally hailed as an outstanding success, there is some lingering skepticism as to what legacy the Olympics have left for the UK’s LGBT community – are there more openly gay or lesbian elite athletes? Is there more grass roots participation in sport by LGBT people? It is perhaps too early to know.

February 15, 2013
Leeds United and US soccer star Robbie Rogers comes out as gay

American international and ex Leeds United football star Robbie Rogers says he’s gay, coming out after 25 years, and quitting soccer

American international and former British Leeds United football midfielder Robbie Rogers has come out as gay.

The 25-year-old told fans he no longer wants to keep his sexuality a secret.

He added he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with his decision.

He’s the highest profile footballer to come out in Britain’s national game since Justin Fashanu in 1990. He committed suicide in 1998.

Writing on his blog Rogers said he had feared coming out as gay would get in the way of his dreams.

December 28, 2012
The 13 best New Year's Eve parties for 2013

Gay Star News travels the world to find the best places to ring in the New Year

If you're looking for somewhere a little more exciting to spend New Year's Eve than your local boozer, then take a look at the celebrations the rest of the world has to offer.

There are concerts, fireworks and parties going on all over the world, each one with its own unique and exciting selling points.

December 7, 2012
Relive the Olympics and Tom Daley's tiny trunks

Remember your favorite London 2012 moments with a glossy photo collection

London's Olympic Games may seem like a long time ago now, but fans can now relive the excitement with a new collection of photos of the international tournament.

From British diver Tom Daley winning bronze in his microscopic trunks to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt rocketing past the finish line to win yet another gold medal, Capture the Games website has images of all your favorite moments from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

December 4, 2012
HomoLAB 68

This week the HomoLAB team are joined by superstar DJ who appeared in the Olympics closing ceremony Luke Howard.

This week the HomoLAB team are joined by superstar DJ who appeared in the Olympics closing ceremony Luke Howard.

Plus we talk to the guys behind The Test Shot, a fashion blog for trans guys, and discuss Manchester, Berlin, and Vauxhall all this and the news from GayStarNews.

November 23, 2012
Back to school with good sports

Champion powerlifter Chris Morgan is impressed when he meets sports fans at a London primary school and discovers they deserve gold medals in supporting equality

Prior to my recent visit to Hungerford Primary School in London I don’t think I had actually set foot in any school for well over 20 years.

November 23, 2012
Back to school with good sports

Champion powerlifter Chris Morgan is impressed when he meets sports fans at a London primary school and discovers they deserve gold medals in supporting equality

Prior to my recent visit to Hungerford Primary School in London I don’t think I had actually set foot in any school for well over 20 years.

November 22, 2012
Lesbian soccer star Megan Rapinoe talks to Gay Star News about why she came out

'There’s no more sort of omitting anything'

US soccer star and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe decided that the time had come for her to be completely open about her sexuality.

So before competing in the Olympic Games in London, the 27-year-old midfielder on the US women’s soccer team came out publicly as a lesbian.

Rapinoe tells Gay Star News that she has had no regrets.

‘I think it’s just nice to be open, there’s no more sort of omitting anything,’ she says. ‘It’s living my life as an open book which is really nice.’

November 22, 2012
Matthew Mitcham bares all

Gay Star News interviews gay Australian Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham on the release of his shockingly honest autobiography

The revelation that Australian diver Matthew Mitcham was addicted to crystal meth, disclosed in his autobiography released this week, has shocked many, but that’s only one ordeal that he has overcome in his 24-years.

Raised by a single mother in Brisbane, Mitcham didn’t meet his father until he was an adult. His mother Vivienne struggled financially and they lived for six months without electricity when Mitcham was six-years-old.

November 19, 2012
Gay host Richard Arnold says Strictly celebrates ‘best of British’

'Daybreak' showbiz reporter is the sixth person voted off the BBC dancing competition show

Gay showbiz reporter Richard Arnold believes Strictly Come Dancing celebrates the ‘best of British’.

The ‘Daybreak’ host and his dance partner Erin Boag were the sixth couple to leave the BBC dancing competition show.

October 9, 2012
Rupert Everett: 'Sport and showbiz are still anti-gay'

Rupert Everett has claimed homophobia is still very much present in sport, due to the lack of gay athletes and torch bearers in the Olympics.

Rupert Everett has claimed the lack of gay athletes and torch bearers in the Olympics reflects how homophobia is still very much present in sport.

The 53-year-old actor, best known for his role in My Best Friend's Wedding, criticised the lack of gay people that took part in the Games, arguing that the commentators failed to discuss an openly gay person.

Everett said: 'You listened to the commentary and they would say "this is a mother…this is someone else." But they never said "this is an openly homosexual person."'

September 15, 2012
Clare Balding calls for more lesbians on television

In an in-depth interview, the British openly gay broadcaster speaks about how she was terrified of coming out

British television presenter Clare Balding has called for more openly gay women on television.

Balding, who became a national treasure after presenting sports coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics at London 2012, has said the media needs to show more women of diversity.

In an interview with The Times, she said: ‘There’s a lack of visibility. I remember an article that said, ‘Lesbians are like baby pigeons: you never see them,’ and then naming a couple – me and Sue Perkins.

September 14, 2012
HomoLAB 56

Amy, Lucio, and Baylen are back together again for homoLAB 56.

Amy, Lucio, and Baylen are back together again for homoLAB 56.

After being in the bubbles of the Olympics and Edinburgh, the team gather again to catch up on what happened this Summer and look forward to what's coming in the Autumn.

Plus the latest from Gay Star News, Outgames 2013, GB's best gay employers, and the best cities in the world for gay tourists.

September 11, 2012
Queer roller derby film seeks crowd-funding

Documentary showcasing the counter-culture craze of queer roller derby in the US seeks $5,000 to finish

A documentary about the growing craze of queer roller derby is seeking crowd-funding.

The Vagine Regime, made by LA-based filmmaker Erica Tremblay, reports on a subculture of roller derby  in the US of the same name.

Since the early 2000s, a punk, tongue-in-cheek, DIY culture has emerged in all-female roller derby, a sport that may join the Olympics in 2020.

Tremblay’s film interviews queer roller derby players and discusses accepting transwomen into all-female teams.

September 10, 2012
Gay athletes expected to join London Olympic victory parade

Olympic bronze medallist Tom Daley, who was victim of anti-gay abuse during games, will join hundreds of athletes in parade through central London

Gay British athletes from the Olympics and Paralympics are expected to join a victory parade through the center of London today (10 September).

Thousands will line the streets of the UK capital to watch London 2012 stars celebrate their success in the games on 21 floats.

Carl Hester was the only gay sportsman to represent Britain in the Olympics and took gold in the equestrian dressage event.

August 30, 2012
Lesbian presenter says X Factor 'feels different after Olympics'

Clare Balding, who presented the BBC Olympic coverage, thinks reality TV has lost some of its glow after the London 2012 games

A gay British TV presenter who fronted the BBC coverage of the Olympics has claimed  reality television feels different after the 2012 Games.

Clare Balding, 41, told Heat magazine the ‘fair’ and ‘brutal’ world of the Olympics has altered people's perception of the reality TV show genre.

'I watched The X Factor last Saturday. It just felt different,' she said.

'After the Olympics, we now really admire real people, achieving things that have taken a lot of training and dedication, and some hint of sacrifice.'

August 14, 2012
UK's first Olympic boxing champ celebrates gold at G-A-Y

Olympic champion Nicola Adams toasts her success at 2012 games by visiting one of London's biggest gay clubs

Boxing champion Nicola Adams proved she is a knock-out in the club as well as the ring after being spotted celebrating winning Olympic gold at G-A-Y.

The first time games winner was smiling ear to ear when out enjoying drinks with friends in one of central London's biggest gay clubs on Saturday (11 August).

Club promoter Jeremy Joseph told Gay Star News: ‘She was really nice. You don’t expect it really. I kept thinking, you are far too nice - how is it that you can floor someone in the ring and be this nice?

August 13, 2012
Gay Londoners get free chance to try Olympic sports

LGBT sports groups are to build on the Olympic legacy with a week-long series of taster sessions

Gay, bisexual and trans Londoners who have been inspired by the Olympics in their city can now try some of the sports for themselves.

Out for Sport London is offering taster sessions in 22 different sports from tomorrow (14 August) to Sunday (19 August).

From kickboxing to ballroom dancing, there's a big range on offer and all for free - the LGBT teams involved just want people to dust off their trainers and take part.

August 12, 2012
Gay Olympian Matthew Mitcham will not retire from diving

The Olympic champion is planning to be a springboard diver and wants his 'thighs as big as [China's] He Chong's' for Rio 2016

After narrowly missing out on a place in the diving final yesterday (11 August), it looked like it would be the last time we would see gay Australian athlete Matthew Mitcham at the Olympics.

Not a chance, as the 24-year-old is now considering reinventing himself as a springboard diver, primarily to reduce the impact on his battered body.

August 12, 2012
London 2012 Olympics: an LGBT legacy?

How a geeky gay boy became a sports hero and is now spearheading the bid to provide an LGBT legacy from the London 2012 Olympics

I'm in my mid-40s. School sports on the rugby fields of Wales was not inspiring for a young gay boy, slightly geeky and the shortest in the class. Games lessons would start with the humiliating ceremony of the two sportiest jocks being selected by the PE teacher, and they would pick off, one by one, the fittest lads for their teams. I would always be left until last – which meant I wasn't even chosen at all.

August 10, 2012
Spice Girls put the zigazig-ah in Olympics closing ceremony

New rehearsal pictures are unveiled of the fab five preparing for London 2012 celebration

Stop right now, thank you very much, because the 90s superstar girlband Spice Girls are back for one night only.

In pictures revealed today (10 August), it shows Geri, Emma, Mel B, Mel C, and Victoria swinging it, shaking it, moving it and making it in rehearsals for the Olympics closing ceremony in London.

Pictures released on Twitter feed @SpiceWorldNet shows the fab five saying goodbye to London 2012 by dancing on the capital’s iconic black taxis.

August 8, 2012
Why the Olympic Pride House is standing tall for gay sport

Whether you think the Olympics are for you or not, LGBT sports and human rights come together at London 2012’s Pride House

Tomorrow (9 August), partners in London’s Olympic Pride House and other organisations will be joining in a protest against the homophobic ban by Russian authorities on a Pride House at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The Sochi Exhibition in London is Russia’s promotional push for the winter games which will be held in the city of the same name on the Black Sea coast.