Pride House officially opens to public as Paris Olympics breaks record for number of LGBTQ+ athletes

(29 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP AND SNTV CLIENTS MAY USE
ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP AND SNTV CLIENTS MAY USE
Paris, France - 29 July 2024
1. Various of people at event celebrating Pride House opening to the public
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Jérémy Goupille, co-president of the Pride House:
"Within the Olympic context, a place like the Pride House really allows us to welcome all those athletes who came out and live their competition in a good way, who accept themselves and use their full potential. The idea is to have them as role models and that they can talk to other athletes so they can all really be who they really are."
3. Various of people at event
4. Wide of Eiffel Tower seen from Pride House
5. Various of people at event
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Elisabeth Chaudiere, activist:
"Sport is political and it carries values of respect, inclusion, justice, many things. To fight homophobia, transphobia and sexism is really important."
7. Various of people at event
8. Mid of sign reading (English): "Diversity, equity & inclusion in sport"
9. SOUNDBITE (French) Charline Van Snick, former Olympian: ++NIGHT SHOT++
"During my career I was told I had to be straight to get media attention and sponsors. They pressured me to do that so I couldn't be who I really wanted to be. Today, there's still a long way to go. We still have a test of femininity, it's really sexist, but also homophobic, transphobic. The fight is intersectional."
11. Various of event ++NIGHT SHOTS++
STORYLINE:
The Pride House of the 2024 Paris Olympics was officially opened to the public on Monday.
The Pride House, which debuted at the 2010 Olympics, is located on a boat floating on the Seine River and was set to feature live music and speeches from Olympic organizers at its opening event on Monday night.
It is meant to be a safe space for LGBTQ+ athletes and visitors during the Olympics and Paralympics.
A record number of athletes openly identifying as LGBTQ+ are competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, a massive leap during a competition that organizers have pushed to center around inclusion and diversity.
There are 191 athletes publicly saying they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and nonbinary who are participating in the Games, according to Outsports, an organization that compiles a database of openly queer Olympians. The vast majority of the athletes are women.
During the day members of the LGBTQ+ community will be able to watch athletes compete in the Games at The Pride House and enjoy DJ sets at night.
But while the Games have have made giant strides in the years, LGBTQ+ communities and other athletes say that international athletics has a long way to go in opening up to the queer community.
AP video shot by Fernanda Pesce
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel [phone] Email: [e-mail].
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...