19.04.2019 /// Common declaration and press release of EGLSF, EuroGames 2019 Roma and DVET referring to the dance tournaments of the EuroGames 2019 in Rome
After the organisers of the EuroGames 2019 and ESSDA (European Same-Sex Dance Association) failed to come to an understanding about holding the European Championships at the EuroGames 2019 in Rome, Italy, because of financial demands, DVET, an EGLSF member association, has liaised, as an EGLSF sport specialist, with Rome to take responsibility for the dancing tournaments of the EuroGames 2019 in July.
DVET, despite being the national same-sex dance sport association of Germany, is aspiring to establish an international group of people with experience and expertise in organizing large same-sex dance competitions who are able to create a high level 3-day tournament within the remaining time of 3 months only. Germany has already hosted four EuroGames dance competitions in the past as well as the Gay Games 2010 and the ESSDA European Championships 2017 and will also be host country of the EuroGames 2020 in Dusseldorf. The annually held German International Championships, granted by the DVET and stretched over two full competition days, is the largest same-sex dance competition beyond Gay Games and EuroGames.
Suffering from the lack of large sponsors and public means the overall budget of Roma 2019 is much more limited than the budget of former and future EuroGames host cities. Moreover, Italy, although being one of the world leading countries in mainstream ballroom and latin dancing, has no tradition in same-sex dance sports at all. Bearing in mind that well organized dance competitions with spectacular performances on the dance floor are able to open doors and hearts, it would be a shame to leave out this unique opportunity to bring out same-sex dancing to Italy.
Despite the work that still lies ahead, the board of DVET is willing to support EuroGames Roma 2019 in spite of, or just because of, the special circumstances of a low budget and lack of experience.
If it is working well pooled forces from all over Europe may realize same-sex dancing competitions in Rome which are at least worth to be called “unofficial European Championships” afterwards.
Although a fair quantity of china has already been broken by awkward ESSDA statements, the upcoming organizing committee and the hosts in Rome are strongly encouraging the European same-sex dancing community to (re)build trust in Roma 2019 and to support all the future voluntary efforts by making their registrations for the EuroGames same-sex dance competitions in July without further hesitations.
Annette Wachter & Hugh Torrance, co-presidents European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation
Adriano Bartolucci Proietti, direttore generale di EuroGames 2019 Roma
Dörte Lange, Präsidentin Deutscher Verband für Equality-Tanzsport
The Roma 2019 Declaration, 19.04.2019 (pdf, engl.)
Bravo to DVET and the MANY other volunteers who will finally come together to make Eurogames DanceSport, ROMA an event to remember! As a last-minute competitor during the very first Gay Games DanceSport events in Amsterdam, 1998, with a partner from South Africa whom I had never met until 2 days before Latin, I remember hearing stories about how the earlier same-gender DanceSport events in Europe were small studio comps that had begun decades earlier without a lot of pomp & circumstance, so it’s not always the biggest and the best and the most costly events that get the ball rolling. Consequently, to have a fun-filled and we’ll-organized Comp with the help of Germany and many others will be a blessing and will do nothing more than create even more enthusiasm for our sport in new territory. DC is definitely excited to be there and hopefully we can get more of our American dancers to attend.
Will see you in ROMA!!
~ Terry Chasteen
Thank you Terry for your encouraging comment. I’m sure once again we will have a wonderful event with amazing couples from all over the world. Europe, Italy and especially Rome is happy to welcome you all to celebrate same-sex dancesport together! CU in Rome!