MIAMI BEACH — On Thursday, February 28, the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA) announced that Miami Beach and Miami have been selected to host the World Outgames in 2017. GLISA President Daniel Vaudrin made the announcement during the selection ceremony in Antwerp, Belgium, the site of the 2013 World Outgames, which take place this summer.
The 2017 selection of Miami-Dade County marks the first time that the event will be held in the U.S.
“This is a major leap forward for our community,” said Bruce Townsend, co-chair of the Miami Beach-Miami Sports and Cultural League, the 13-member volunteer coalition that entered the bid on behalf of the cities. “We are ecstatic about being able to showcase Miami Beach and Miami on this world stage.”
Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower and Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora, along with several members of the Miami Beach-Miami Sports and Cultural League traveled to Antwerp this week for the selection ceremony. Miami had been shortlisted with Reykjavik, Iceland.
Included in the Miami Beach-Miami bid were proposals to host a human rights conference, a diverse cultural program, a World Outgames Village, opening and closing ceremonies, and 30 sporting events. The World Outgames, which lasts for 10 days, takes place every four years in a different city.
Miami Beach will be the headlining city, but events will be held throughout Miami-Dade, including proposed venues at Lummus Park, Flamingo Park, Tamiami Park, the University of Miami, the Ransom Everglades School Aquatic Center and the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Previous host cities for the Outgames include Montreal and Copenhagen.
“We’re doing cartwheels down Ocean Drive—we’re so excited to bring the World Outgames to Miami Beach and Miami in 2017,” Richard Murray, President of the Murray Agency and a member of the Miami Beach-Miami Sports & Cultural League, which presented the bid on behalf of the South Florida cities.
“The games are an amazing opportunity to showcase our community on a world stage, and we are looking forward to welcoming tens of thousands of athletes and human rights advocates to our hometown,” Murray added.
