Produced by the Sheffield Film Co-op for Channel 4 Television, a documentary on gays and lesbians in sport. The film speaks with several athlete about the challenges of being out as well as the work they do to help make all sports more inclusive. The film travels to Vancouver, Canada to speak with several international competitors taking part in the third Gay Games during August 1990 and the challenges they face competing in their respective sports. A montage of men and women taking part in...

Produced by the Sheffield Film Co-op for Channel 4 Television, a documentary on gays and lesbians in sport. The film speaks with several athlete about the challenges of being out as well as the work they do to help make all sports more inclusive. The film travels to Vancouver, Canada to speak with several international competitors taking part in the third Gay Games during August 1990 and the challenges they face competing in their respective sports. A montage of men and women taking part in a variety of sporting events at Gay Game III with many of the events ending with those taking part hugging. During a football match taking place in a field a player for the Hackney Women’s Football Club (WFC) scores a goal with supports along the touchline holding up a banner. Three of the women on the team hug. Title: Running Gay Joan Evans the Coach for Hackney WFC explains why it was important to her being out as a lesbian. On an athletics track Kevin Sheldrake, Coordinator of UK Lesbian and Gay Sports Association competes in a pole-vaulting event. Sitting in the stands he explains that he wants to be as free as heterosexuals and do what he wants to do. At another track Dusty Rhodes, Coordinator for the Women’s Sports Foundation does some warmup exercises, in voiceover she talks about the types of discrimination she has faced in her sporting life. As Kevin Sheldrake competes in two athletic events, the discus and javelin, the narrator explains that in all levels of sport lesbians and gay men are participating and achieving, but very few are out with many feeling they need to hide their sexuality. As three women from Hackney WFC embrace, the film changes to a group of footballers resting under a tree during the Gay Game. As Kevin Sheldrake competes in the long jump, the narrator explains that he was one of only twelve British competitors taking part in the games. Over a cartoon depicting a lesbian, then narrator asks the question is homophobia in sport any worse than in any other areas of our lives? As Joan Evans explains why she believes it is worse in sport her team competing in game. In a sports hall Betty Baxter former Olympic athlete and Canadian National Coach practices with a fellow volleyball player. She talks about being fired from her position within the Canadian National because of her sexuality. On a football pitch Team Berlin Vorspiel play a game with another team, one of the players explains that while his team would like play more, they can’t because as a gay team they aren’t recognised by the German Federal association. Kevin Sheldrake is asked what are the problems for gays involved in team sports in England? He talks about the challenges of being out as gay, he gives the example of the Football Association and their fears over homosexuality and AIDS. Dusty Rhodes talks about the levels of ignorance she has seen amongst some sports people with regards the meaning of Section 28 legislation. Over a montage of still images featuring tennis player Martina Navratilova Dusty explains how few elite athletes she knows who are out as lesbians. More images featuring Martina on the frontpages of The Sun newspaper with Dusty explaining that she sees tabloid newspapers being obsessed with sexuality and having little interest in the sport. Jeremy Clarke, a Coach for the Badminton Association of England explains the challenges of being gay and feeling marginalised and not be included in the teams which could affect your ability of reaching the top of your sport. On a sports field Kevin Sheldrake sees the challenges for top athletes as coming out as gay, he would never out anyone because of the possible negative consequences to their career especially with regards any sponsorship deals. A montage of negative Sun newspaper headlines regarding the sexuality of professional footballer Justin Fashanu. Betty Baxter explains that if you come out as a gay man or lesbian in a sports system your career is finished, she explains why. Paula Hooper a player in the Boston Peppermints volleyball team explains that the whole team is made up of lesbians and why this is important to them. A montage from the opening ceremony of the Gay Games III taking place in August 1990 with athletes parading around an arena along with a Rainbow flag and an Olympic torch being lit. Title: 7300 athletes from 27 countries participate in 29 sports at Gay Games III in Vancouver. 43% were women. More than 10,000 people watched the opening ceremony A male and female competitor along with Jeremy Clarke and Kevin Sheldrake are asked why they are attending the Gay Games. A Mexican wave in the stands at the opening ceremony changes to a montage of various sporting events taking place at the games. The two athletes are them asked what they hope to achieve. Jeremy Clarke explains why he believes the event should be called the Gay Olympics as he believes it is the true spirit of the Olympics with everyone taking part and doing their best. Another montage of various athletes taking part in competition or practice sessions at the Gay Games. A female Irish competitor explains the emphasis of the games in on taking part rather than competition in a community spirit. At the end of a sprint race competitors embrace. The question of why a Gay Games is needed is asked of the two athletes featured previously, as she speaks about the freedom to be themselves a montage of competitors at various events embracing. American swimmer Mike Mealiffe stands on a podium waving at the crowd as he is presented with a medal, around him the crowds cheer and fellow competitors applaud. Title: Mike Mealiffe – Master World Record holder, 50m and 100m butterfly In slow motion a series of national flags being waved during the procession at the start of the Gay Games. Two women from a team competing from German explains why as lesbians, German’s and human beings they don’t feel good about the countries policy against them. A second male Irish athlete sitting beside his female companion explaining that they are the only two competitors from their country competing in the games, they both talks about the positive reception they have received. In a sports hall the Boston Peppermints taking part in a volleyball game, Paula Hooper provides details on the work that was done to raise the funds necessary to allow them to compete. Betty Baxter explains that events like these are for the wealthy after which other women provide details of what they’ve done to raise the necessary money with many hoping to compete in future games. At the closing ceremony of Gay Games III competitors, many wearing medal, parade around the arena alongside their national flags. Title: The next Gay Games will take place in New York in 1994 On a running track back in England Kevin Sheldrake and a second man are warming up. In voiceover he explains that having taken part in the Gay Games he wants to do more for people who are gay to participate in sports and so has set up a network, the Gay and Lesbian Sport’s Association. As he provides details a meeting of said association with Kevin chairing the event. Joan Evans from Hackney WFC explains why it is necessary to have a Gay and Lesbian Sport’s Association. As Dusty Rhodes runs across a London bridge, she explains in voiceover her motivations for running. A marathon gets underway with competitors racing past, in voiceover Dusty provides details on her work for the Women’s Sports Foundation. As competitors, including Dusty, cross the finish line she explains her disappointed with the foundation as it doesn’t target lesbians or work to tackle issues of homophobia in sport. In a field a training session for the Hackney WFC, in voiceover Joan Evans provides details of the aims of the football club which is primarily made up of lesbians. At an athletics track Kevin Sheldrake explains why gay people need to participate in sport while Dusty Rhodes believes peoples attitudes need to change in order to make lesbians feel they can be who they are in whatever activity they take part in. As they change in their dressing room the women of Hackney WFC sing a lesbian positive song. Over their singing a final montage featuring lesbians competing in various sports at Gay Games III. The film ends on a player from Hackney WFC scoring another goal. Title: For more information contact: The UK LESBIAN AND GAY SPORTS ASSOCIATION c/o London Lesbian and Gay Centre 67-69 Cowcross Street London EC1 071-608 1471 Made with the help and co-operation of Hackney Council Leisure Services, Celebration 90: Gay Games III, Mary Anne McEwen, London Lesbian and Gay Centre, Sheffield Independent Film, Backyard Films Credit: Camera Caren Moy, Dale Johannsen, Tore Gill Camera Assistant Alessandra Scherillo Sound Christine Bellamy, Moya Burns, Dean Miles Gaffer Nuala Campbell Runner Lynn Dennett Trainee Assistant Editors Helen Littleboy, Jacque White Narrator Adjoa Andoh Archive Forward Focus Productions Stills Professional Sports / Tommy Hindley, James Loewen Rostrum Camera The Image Company Music Uzume Taiko Music Soundtrack John Avery On-line Editor Kate Spankie Production, Canada Suzanne Phillips Producer Chrissie Stansfield Editor Angela Martin Director Maya Chowdhry End title: A Sheffield Film Co-op Production for Channel Four. © Channel Four Television Ltd 1991 Sheffield Film Co-op is an ACTT enfranchised workshop funded by the British Film Institute