About BGS

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Choose your sport :

foto bgs party
Object of the BGS

The Statutes of the BGS state that the object of the association is "The self development of homosexual people through the practise of sport"

Our credo and benefits

We believe that the practise of sport is an essential element in the personal and social development of homosexuals.

We are not looking to shut ourselves in a ghetto! We want to enable those who feel intimidated by the sometimes 'macho' world of sport and who wish to practise sport, to be able to do so in a friendly, accepting environment.

Clearly you are free to stay or, at anytime, to pursue your sporting interests elsewhere.

By so doing hetero sports people may discover aspects of homos that they had not even suspected. They may be surprised that homosexuals have the same sporting abilities and develop them in the same way as heterosexuals do, that homosexuals are indistinguishable as such on the field, in the changing rooms and in the clubs.

Our activities allow everyone to participate at their own level. You do not have to be 'the best' in order to take part. Participation, personal development and the enjoyment of that, is what we hope that the BGS will give to you.

Another purpose of the BGS is to provide a space where the sexes can meet in a totally different atmosphere from the usual homosexual meeting places. Sport provides the environment whereby people of both sexes can meet and discover in each other the richness and diversity of humanity, broadening our vision of life.

Sport is by its nature an activity that develops and opens our spirits. Even if this openness can be subverted by competition it is up to us to guard against this and to reMayn open to others.

This is the credo of the BGS and what we hope you will find as benefits of being a member of BGS.

History

BGS started in 1991 as a group of friends who played volleyball under the name of the ‘Coccinelles’ and by 2005 it has become an association with more than 400 members.

Activities

There are separate sections organising volleyball, badminton, swimming and tennis or practising body conditioning, yoga and ballroom dancing. Every week hundreds of us gather in a welcoming and accepting atmosphere to pursue the activities we enjoy in various locations all over Brussels.

BGS also promotes sport by organising and participating in various competitions and large-scale events:

- International Volleyball and Badminton Tournament.

In September 2005 BGS will organise the 14 th edition of its annual tournament open to all comers. (More than 400 people, both male and female, took part and in the 2004 tournament).

- Swim for Life

The 10 th edition of this annual sponsored swimming marathon took place will take place in November 2005. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for various HIV/AIDS related causes which are selected each year by the Committee. In 2004, close to 21.000 EUR were raised and distributed to 3 charities. Over the last 9 nine years, more than 100.000 EUR have been raised. Thank you to all who helped and contributed.

- International Competitions

BGS participates in various tournaments organised by other Gay and Lesbian Sports clubs in Europe or elsewhere in the world, as well as the Gay Games and the Eurogames.

In all events participants can play at their own level - the emphasis is on pleasure - but they also have the chance to meet people from different cultures and to see different cities.

BGS is a member of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation ( EGLSF ) which itself has more than 100 Sports Club members in 13 countries across Europe .

Membership & Subscription

In addition to the cost of each activity BGS has a membership fee which provides insurance cover, reduced entry prices to BGS events and special prices at partner commercial organisations . For 2004/2005 it was fixed at €15 for the year September to August, with reductions for those joining during the year.

Welcome to the BGS. We look forward to meeting you at one of our activities. We hope that you enjoy being with us.