Trans athletes from 28 countries around the globe will be meeting up in Sydney Australia in what looks to be the biggest Trans (sport) participated event. Here is how we are looking:
| Australia | 61 | India | 4 | Singapore | 1 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | Jordan | 1 | Sierra Leone | 1 |
| Belgium | 1 | Namibia | 6 | Switzerland | 1 |
| Canada | 4 | Nigeria | 7 | Tonga | 1 |
| Ecuador | 1 | Netherlands | 2 | Turkey | 1 |
| Fiji | 10 | New Zealand | 6 | United Kingdom | 2 |
| Germany | 3 | Philippines | 2 | United States | 20 |
| Ghana | 1 | Romania | 1 | Samoa | 15 |
| Indonesia | 1 | Russian Federation | 2 | ||
| Israel | 1 | Rwanda | 1 |
I caught up with some of the Athletes for some Q & A.
Jamie McCulloch
Ice Hockey
- How do you Identify?Female, Post Op Trans
- What is your sport?Ice Hockey
- How long have you been involved in this sport?3 years
- Any previous sporting achievements?None worth mentioning
- How old are you?45
- How do you feel at this point pre Games? (Are you nervous? why? excited?)Nervous about a long trip and meeting so many new people. Excited as well. i am looking forward to a rewarding experience.
- Does your Trans identity affect your entry into the Gay Games?It hasn’t so far. Although women on other teams may not be happy with it.
- How have you found the entry application? How have you been treated?Application was easy, people were friendly and helpful.
- Previous to the Games, has being a trans athlete been an issue in the non-trans sporting community?Most people are very surprised that a male to female would be interested in playing Ice Hockey. I do have the respect of other players in my local leagues however.
Barbara Clarke
Ten Pin Bowling
- How do you Identify?Female – lesbian
- What is your sport?Ten Pin Bowling
- How long have you been involved in this sport?As a female over ten years
- Any previous sporting achievements?Since my transition – Part of the Aust 1 team that won the trans Tasman Cup 1987, League Champion 1987, A grade City Champion 2001 amongst Others
- How old are you?52
- How do you feel at this point pre Games?Excited – looking forward to marching in to Stadium Aust (Home turf)
- Does your Trans identity affect your entry into the Gay Games?It doesn’t, previously bowled at 1986 position 66th, and 1990 B grade 5th
- How have you found the entry application? How have you been treated?No problems
- Previous to the Games, has being a trans athlete been an issue in the non-trans sporting community?Initially there was some concern but once my papers were checked out no worries, had support from many of the women I bowled against.
I enjoy my bowling and other sports I have no troubles as such. Basically what you see is what you get.