Report Released On Vancouver And Whistler 2010 Olympic Pride House Pavilions Suggest Success

Late last week, the steering committee of the 2010 Whistler and Vancouver Pride House Pavilions released a report that outlined the successes and learning experiences from the facilities, the first-ever Olympic pavilions designed to create an inclusive supportive space and to encourage a conversation about homophobia within the world of amateur and professional sports, according to the Whistler Question. The report is being shared with the organising committees for the London 2012 Summer Olympics and the Sochi, Russia 2014 Winter Olympics. Dean Nelson, who led the creation of the British Columbia safe spaces, says he hopes that the report can illustrate for both organising groups how they can lead in reaching out to the gay community and to make future Olympics more inclusive celebrations of diversity. According to the report, an estimated 5,000 individuals visited the Whistler Pride House during the Olympics and Paralympics, Nelson saying that the location “ended up being a fabulous meeting place.” Among those who visited was Blake Skjellerup, the New Zealand speed skater who trains in Calgary, Alberta, and who came out publicly at the 2010 Games, Nelson saying that Blake “was just really inspired with how open and authentic both Vancouver and Whistler were.”