UPDATE: May 29, 2017 - 1:36 PM

According to several posts on the OutGames Miami Facebook page, the City of Miami Beach along with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and the Miami Beach Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, have stepped up and worked with the event's logistics organizers to restore most of the cancelled events including Soccer, Softball, Aquatic Sports, Beach Volleyball, Indoor Volleyball, Bodybuilding/Physique, Golf, Tennis, Table Tennis, Basketball, and Track.

"The city and GMCVB are also welcoming all registered athletes and their families to a reception Wednesday night, May 31, at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden to express the true nature of Miami Beach hospitality." said a post on the OutGames Miami Facebook page. 

In another post, they said "Thanks to the efforts of the City of Miami Beach, the LGBTQ community in South Florida, and the wonderful athletes who came here to participate in their sports, we have made great strides and have been able to create alternative events to replace the majority of the canceled World Out Games sporting events. This and future posts until further notice will be made by community volunteers who are NOT affiliated with World Out Games, so that we can communicate with the participants and supporters. We will do our best to answer your questions about the events. If you have any questions or comments regarding the World Out Games board and staff, please write to: miami@outgames.org"

Original Story:

Just days after LGBTQ athletes were shocked at the sudden, last-minute cancellation of most of the 450 events in the World OutGames Miami, the Canadian Federal Government, in a completely unrelated move, has announced funding for Travel Gay Canada - Canada's national LGBTQ2 tourism industry association – enabling Travel Gay Canada to continue to promote Canada as one of the most LGBTQ2-friendly countries in the world.

“It is with deep regret that due to financial challenges, World OutGames must cancel opening and closing ceremonies and sports programming with the exception of aquatics, country western dance and soccer.” said a notice from the Board of Directors of World OutGames Miami on their website. “The Human Rights Conference and cultural programs will continue as planned. We thank everyone who has supported the effort and apologize to those who will be impacted by this difficult decision.”

According to various sources, including the Toronto Star, athletes and attendees are “shocked, and in some cases, stranded” by the last minute cancellation less than one day before the event was to start. Attendees are not only out their registration fees for the games but also travel expenses, many of whom had already arrived in Miami before the announcement of the cancellation was made. Miami Beach Police and the Florida State Attorney’s office have opened investigations into possible fraud and alleged misappropriation of funds.

World OutGames is a 10-day sporting and cultural event featuring more than 450 events across three areas: Sport, Culture and Human Rights. The World OutGames was formed following a dispute between the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) and Montreal organisers over budget and scale of Gay Games VII. The subsequent World Outgames I had over 18,000 participants, making it the largest international sports event to be held in Montreal, since the ‘76 Summer Olympics.

In an unrelated move today, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Canada’s Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, announced Government of Canada funding for Travel Gay Canada in its work to attract more LGBTQ2 tourists to Canada.

#GoC is proud to provide funding to @TravelGayCanada to help welcome more #LGBTQ2 travellers https://t.co/gdBYBp2ddB

— Hon. Bardish Chagger (@MinofSBT) May 29, 2017

The Minister made the announcement during Tourism Week and was joined by Colin Sines, executive director, Travel Gay Canada, Claudia Van Wijk, co-owner of OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River, Member of Parliament Randy Boissonnault, special advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues, and representatives from the LGBTQ2 community and Ottawa Tourism.

"Canada is already one of the most welcoming countries in the world for LGBTQ2 travel, and we want to build on that reputation. I am proud to work with Travel Gay Canada, and businesses like OWL Rafting, who are breaking barriers and helping to create memorable experiences and visits for everyone." said the Chagger.

The funding will allow Travel Gay Canada to continue to provide support and training to Canadian tourism operators across the country that are looking to become more LGBTQ2 friendly. It will also represent and promote Canada as an LGBTQ2 tourist destination at Rendez-vous Canada and the World Travel Market London (UK).

"This funding from the federal government has allowed Travel Gay Canada to build Canadian LGBTQ2 destinations and showcase them on a global market.”, said Colin Sines, executive director, Travel Gay Canada. “We are pleased to work with tourism operators such as OWL Rafting to help them reach the LGBT travelling consumer."

Support for Travel Gay Canada will build on Canada’s reputation for being one of the most #LGBTQ2 friendly countries in the world. https://t.co/Ck7KS2HQJz

— Randy Boissonnault (@R_Boissonnault) May 29, 2017

Follow @TravelPulseCA