The World Outgames are a sporting and cultural event hosted by the gay community. With over 12,000 participants, the 1st World Outgames, held in 2006, was the largest international event to be held in Montreal, Canada since the 1976 Summer Olympiad.

The Outgames are open to all who wish to participate, without regard to sexual orientation. There are no qualifying standards, although competitions are arranged according to the skill levels of the competitors. The Outgames bring together athletes and artists from all over the world, many from countries where homosexuality remains illegal and hidden.

For the first World Outgames, the organization, as well as officials from the City of Montreal, the Province of Quebec and the Government of Canada welcomed 10,248 athletes to participate in games from 29 July to 5 August, alongside about 1500 participants for an international conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender (LGBT) human rights, including Workers Out. Workers Out is the third international gathering of LGBT trade unionists. Approximately 5,200 volunteers worked at the events.

2nd World Outgames 2009

The second World Outgames will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 25 July to 2 August 2009.

View or download a fact sheet about World Outgames 2009 (righ-click to download)