Qmunity celebrates International Day Against Homophobia with awareness breakfast

The world of sports needs more role models to step out of the closet to show the world who they are and what they stand for. That was the message shared this morning at the sixth International Day Against Homophobia Awareness Breakfast.

For the third year in a row, Qmunity—B.C.’s queer resource centre—invited members and supporters of the LGBTQ community to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia (officially May 17).

Each year a specific theme emphasizes a particular aspect of homophobia and aims to stimulate awareness and discussion. This year’s theme—homophobia in the sports world—was highlighted throughout the breakfast, with speeches, photography, and campaigns intended to spur dialogue about the challenges facing gay athletes.

The morning kicked off with a buffet breakfast and a rousing game of rock-paper-scissors, to help break the ice amongst the already chatty crowd. Amongst them included politicians Spencer Chandra Herbert and Libby Davies, as well as several Vancouver city councilors.

Executive director of Qmunity, Jennifer Breakspear, emceed the event which featured speakers from all facets of the community. A native prayer led by Two Spirit Nation member Robert Hong was followed by a talk speech from UBC professor Simone Longpre, who spoke about the problems with gender specific language and how society’s “deeply entrenched beliefs” in gender roles can limit us.

The exchange of ideas continued with two inspiring talks by former professional umpire Tyler Hoffman and former captain of the 1976 national women’s volleyball team Betty Baxter.

Hoffman took the podium and spoke about his childhood dream of becoming an umpire and the moment he realized that for his dream to come true, he wouldn’t be able to live his life as an openly gay man.

He recalled knowing he would have to “assimilate” after a single question was posed to him and during a job interview—how often do you go down on women?

“I had to kill part of me off,” he told the crowd.

Hoffman’s heartfelt speech was followed by Betty Baxter, who thanked everyone for the opportunity to speak on the topic of sport and homophobia but said that she looks forward to the day when other gay athletes will take the stage and speak about their experience.

“It’s been a long time that I’ve been the lesbian,” she said “but I would love to be in a crowded room.”

Both Baxter and Hoffman reminded everyone that change is possible, but it won’t come from the larger sports league like the MLB or NHL, but rather through courageous athletes willing to stand up for who they are.

A successful celebration of a community that has come a long way but knows all too well that there is still a long road ahead.