Shane Ortega walked into the Americana Ballroom at the Loews Hotel Friday morning, with an enlightened mind, but a burdened heart. The two-spirit activist and retired Army Staff Sergeant carried the thoughts and memories of 14 fallen brothers and sisters that they had known through two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

In 2014 the World OutGames secured a $200,000 grant from the Florida Sports Foundation. But a year later the FSF board grew concerned OutGames was not meeting fundamental benchmarks, such as locking in and securing sites for events.

A global sporting goods brand has joined forces with the 10-day global human rights and cultural event in Miami.

The Wilton Warriors will live on to play another day says team captain Chris Manning.

When, at 19 years old, Deondre Moore told his mother he was HIV-positive, she begged him not to tell his story. Deondre calls himself a mama’s boy. And at the World OutGames on Saturday, he had the slideshow to prove it. Moore told visitors about his life back home, focusing on faith, support, and family.

Amidst the drama of the last-minute cancellations of sporting events and ceremonies, the Human Rights portion of the World OutGames Miami is still chugging along, with panels taking place over the weekend. 

The World OutGames is a combination of human rights, cultural and sporting events that seeks to unite and celebrate LGBT communities from around the globe. 

Athletes from South Florida and around the globe converged in Miami this week to compete in the 2017 OutGames and try to claim glory in their respective sports.

They’re coming from as far as Australia and Tonga and as near as Cuba and our own Florida International and Florida Atlantic universities. Beginning Friday May 26 through Sunday May 28, human rights activists, researchers, scholars and advocates from around the world will gather in Miami Beach for the fourth Global Human Rights Conference as part of the 2017 World OutGames.

Nadine Smith knew she was gay from a very young age. Possibly because her third-grade girlfriend “Amber” told her so. – Not that she was gay, just that she was in fact, her girlfriend. 

Despite complete chaos, a criminal investigation and other hiccups, the aquatics events of the World OutGames went on as planned Saturday, one day after the board of the organization announced that the majority of sporting events would be cancelled due to financial troubles.

The World OutGames Miami opened with its ‘Global LGBTQI Human Rights Conference’ Friday morning, May 26 at the Loews Hotel in Miami Beach. But by Friday afternoon, the conference was overshadowed by an email from WOG organizers that the sports programming and related ceremonies, scheduled to begin Saturday had been cancelled due to “financial challenges.

The last-minute collapse of the OutGames in Miami is a disgrace that its Board and directors will never live down.

In October of 2016 the organizers of the World OutGames promised an $11 million event with 15,000 registrants.

When the World OutGames canceled their 10-day sports festival on the opening day it left thousands of athletes shocked, bewildered and angry. 

This year’s World OutGames Miami 2017 will include a special Pulse memorial.

In addition to nearly 400 sporting events attracting thousands of athletes from around the world, the World Out Games also includes dozens of cultural and arts programs showcasing South Florida’s local talent.

Welcome to SFGN’s special World OutGames Miami 2017 section. We’re highlighting the stories of local LGBT athletes that will be attending this year’s event from May 26 through June 4. While we couldn’t cover all the over 100 local athletes, we’ve decided to feature players from a wide range of the sports that will take place at OutGames. 

The World OutGames is a combination of human rights, cultural and sporting events that seeks to unite and celebrate LGBT communities from around the globe.

Surat-Shaan Knan, has a lot of great stories to tell. On Saturday night he even grabbed some cell phone footage of Shakira making a surprise appearance on Miami Beach, when she came to pick up a cake that a friend of his had made for her. -- It may be the highlight of his time at the World OutGames. And that must be some good cake.

Cancellations. Misappropriation of funds. Chaos. Confusion. This year’s World OutGames had it all. Unfortunately for athletes many of the stories were about the drama instead of the achievements, the triumphs and the glory that only happens at a major sporting event. 

Tamara Adrián said her voice was hoarse from tear gas. But it did not stop her from laughing. From smiling. From speaking out.

Updates:

• Live Nation is canceling and refunding OutGames tickets.
• An Adidas spokesperson has responded to our request for comment.
• The City of Miami Beach has released a statement on the cancellations.
• The Miami Beach Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office are opening a fraud investigation.
• The City of Miami Beach is working to restore many of the sporting events.

The board of directors of World OutGames Miami canceled the opening and closing ceremonies and the majority of the sports due to “financial challenges,” on Friday, the first day of the 10-day sporting event. 

Swimming is new to Alvaro A. Gutierrez, Jr.

For Barry J. Cooper, Jr., participating in OutGames serves two purposes.

For Charlotte Schou, the World OutGames is about team play, regardless of what letter in the alphabet you prefer.

It took some time for Chris Manning to become comfortable with who he is, but basketball played a huge role in helping him figure it out.

He’s a realtor with a two-step.

Diego Suarez is a global citizen returning to Florida to present his hometown to the world.

“I am most excited about having all of my friends from around the world in my hometown of Miami and showing everyone how magical our city is,” Suarez said.

Suarez has competed in International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics sanctioned swim meets in Hawaii, Sweden, Canada, Iceland and Cleveland. The 32-year-old has lived in Switzerland and calls Miami home.

“I have been a masters swimmer for about 10 years and enjoy getting in the water to relax, unwind and get in a great workout,” Suarez said.

Suarez is swimming with the Nadadores of South Florida in this year’s IGLA World Championships. He said he prefers the butterfly stroke and will be participating in water polo for the first time.
Before they dive in, IGLA members gather for a traditional party to catch up on life and model their new wears.

He said, “The most exciting event every year is the speedo party, which is a tradition that is held by the swimmers.”

Federico Garcia and Tyler King are two runners that will be competing in the 10K event at this year’s World OutGames Miami.