by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
Germany's openly gay foreign minister and vice chancellor, Guido Westerwelle, has signed on as a sponsor of Gay Games VIII, which will be held in Cologne from July 31 to Aug. 7.
He will preside over the opening ceremonies in RheinEnergie Stadium.
"Dr. Guido Westerwelle sends an important signal for more tolerance and acceptance of gays and lesbians in our society," said Games Cologne Executive Officer Annete Wachter.
Some 12,000 participants and tens of thousands of spectators are expected at the games.
Meanwhile, the Outgames, a competing LGBT Olympics-type event, announced March 31 that the Antwerp City Council has unanimously "agreed to an extensive support package."
The third World Outgames are scheduled for 2013 in the Belgian city.
The Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association, which oversees the Outgames, said the council "approved extensive support in the areas of logistics, infrastructure, but also marketing and communication, culture, sport, diversity and tourism."
Regional versions of the Outgames will be held in 2011 in Vancouver, Canada, and Wellington, New Zealand.
