The Olympic games and other major sporting events unite people of different beliefs and origin. Sexual orientation does not really matter to dedicated fans who enjoy their time rooting for favorite teams together with the others. Pride Houses are an inevitable of global sporting events because sexual orientation is not a hurdle to LGBTQ athletes anymore.
The concept of Pride House developed from hospitality houses which are traditional at various competitions. They provided a welcoming space for supporters and athletes of different nationalities or cultures. As LGBTQ groups have been usually marginalized at international events, the need to establish Pride House arose. The first Pride House was organized at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.
Pride House is a place to observe competitions, connect with athletes, and learn about the experience of LGBTQ people in sport. After the initiative was welcome in Vancouver and Whistler, the tradition of Pride House passed to Europe. In 2012, it took place during the Eurocup in Poland and Ukraine as well as at the London Summer Olympics. As sporting committees expressed a sufficient support to LGBTQ people, the number of semi-professional and professional athletes visibly increased. The mass media concentrated their attention on the issues of homophobia in sports which was particularly enhanced by the failure to obtain Pride House during Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.
Today, the Pride House movement is in its prime. In 2016, the Rio Summer Olympics, the European Football Championship, and Homeless World Cup in Glasgow all successfully held Pride House at these most popular sporting events around the world. The future prospect for the protection of LGBTQ athletes’ rights is even brighter.