The International Conference on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Human Rights will kick off the 1stWorld Outgames and will be held from 26 to 29 July at the Palais des congrès,Montréal's world-class convention centre with some 2,000 delegates from more than 100 countries in attendance. Already more than 1,100 participants have registered for the Conference. The 5 main Conference themes are: Essential Rights, Global Issues, the Diverse LGBT Community, Participation in Society, and Creating Social Change. Quebec Justice Minister Yvon Marcoux, present at today's press conference, underscored the importance of these events. "I truly believe that the people participating in the 1st World Outgames and its International Conference on LGBT Human Rights will be empowered to influence, in a concrete way, the future of millions of people on the five continents," said Mr. Waheed Alli, member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom and one of the keynote speakers of the Conference. Finally, the "Declaration of Montreal" will be presented during the closing luncheon of the Conference and will then be presented to authorities at the United Nations and to various governments around the world, enhancing the reputations of Montreal and of Quebec as global leaders in the promotion of tolerance and inclusion. Canadian Olympic gold medallist will also read this declaration during the Opening Ceremony of the 1st World Outgames Mark Tewksbury and legendary tennis champion Martina Navratilova, creating a bridge between the two events.

<< Montreal News Archive