Same Sex Couples
Dancing the Stars from the Sky

In the hall of De Vechtsebanen they glitter, shine, smile and dance the stars from the sky. On the attractive rhythms of the Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble, Samba and Cha cha cha same sex couples show what they got to offer on the dance floor.

President of the Netherlands Olympic Committee * Netherlands Sports Federation (NOC*NSF), Ms Erica Terpstra likes watching the couples dance: "In München I made a promise to watch this competition." By visiting this competition she also wants to get attention for same sex Ballroom Dancing. "Because this sport has difficulty with integrating in the Dutch dance federation," explains the President. "I see the same passion and emotion here with these dancers as with any other kind of athletes. So I think this sport has to be acknowledged in all its aspects."

The whole battle about acknowledgement doesn't seem to play any role in this competition. The dancers are just happily dancing. Valesca Kipping from Germany has a great time. It's her first time that she participates in the EuroGames. She has been dancing with her partner Lisa Görg for a year now. "I first danced with men, than I changed to a female partner, because it is something different and it is very exiting. I can learn so much and I also have a great partner."

Not only the dancers are enjoying themselves, visitors are having a great time as well. Merel from Utrecht: "First I didn't really care about the EuroGames. But I thought: what is the most horrible sport to watch gays practicing? Ballroom Dancing! But I really like it! I'm enjoying this so much."
Just like Merel, Lady Mayor of Utrecht Mrs Annie Brouwer-Korf also attends the competition: "It is very fun to watch. Not every sport is as nice to watch. But I liked the timing game in this sport."

For handing out the prices journalist and gay activist Chris Crain came al the way from the United States. "I think they asked me, because I'm two meters tall, so it is easy to hang the medailles on the necks of the winners," jokes Crain. It was his first time back in the Netherlands after the attack on him on Queen's Day in Amsterdam. However his injuries were almost cured, he still is a little cautious: "But I think it is normal to watch what happens around you after such an attack."

Chairman of the organizing committee Equality DancE, Leo van Buitenen also likes watching the competition: "It's fun, because I know many of the couples. And it is surprising. For example the Hungarian participants. It's the first time they participate, but their level is already very high."

Judge Gerrie van Dijk watches the competition very differently than any visitor: "I look at the character of the dance. It has to be technically right." Slipping, falling down or starting all over again doesn't make the dancers look bad. "We don't look at the faults. Making mistakes is human. But dancing out of rhythm, that's deadly."