Love Is In The Air!      

A It's been a very special week for Gay Rights in the U.S.  The organizers of IGLFA 2009 feel it's important to recognize the major advances this week made in Iowa where gay men and women were given the right to marry. 

Just a few days later, Vermont (which was the first in the United States to legally recognize gay unions with Civil Unions) decided the Civil Unions weren't enough, and the Vermont Senate voted to legalize gay marriage in that state, and block a veto of the bill by the governor by one vote! 

Finally, in Washington DC, the DC Council voted unanimously to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. 

So, what does this have to do with IGLFA 2009?  Well, we view a win for gay rights anywhere is a win for gay rights everywhere!

This summer, IGLFA 2009 is being held in Washington, DC - just down the road from a very different White House from the last eight years.  The week before the tournament will be Washington DC Pride.  We urge you to come for the weekend before the tournament and take part in the festivities.  Take part in the events!  The DC Pride Parade will be held on the evening of June 13th.  ALL IGLFA participants are welcome to join and march in the parade.  We will ask you to wear your team jersey.  We will be posting information soon with all the details, but you need to start making your plans to participate and be in town now.  On Sunday June 14th, not only will registration be open, but the Washington DC Gay Pride Fesitval will be taking place on one of the most powerful stretches of road in the world - Pennsylvania Avenue between the WHite House and the US Capital.

IGLFA 2009 wants to show that gay men and women come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds - and play the worlds most played sport - Soccer....okay, Football or Futbol!  We've said it before, and we'll say it again - Don't be a part of just any sporting event....Be The MAIN Event!


We Want YOU at IGLFA 2009! 

Teams are forming, practicing, and preparing for The Official IGLFA 2009 World Championship this summer.  The best competition in the world is going to be in Washington DC this summer.

We have commitments from many of the most recent IGLFA World Champions - London Stonewall, Florida Storm , West Hollywood, San Francisco Spikes, London Titans, Boston Strikers....and we've received word that Argentina SAF Gay  is working hard to raise the funds to get here too.   There are now 23 mens teams registered and represented, and we know there are more on the way.

Are you registered yet?  Is you team not represented? There is no time to waste to get registered.

Registration for IGLFA 2009 continues on.  IGLFA 2009 registration fees are as follows until April 15, 2009

Individual Registration - $140

Team Registration - $2200 ($122 per person for a team of 18 players)

Non-player Participant - $60

The IGLFA 2009 Tournament is THE GLBT Soccer (football....futbol) Event of 2009.  Why be a part of just any sporting event when you can Be The Main Event!

Why are YOU attending IGLFA 2009?  

IGLFA 2009 wants to know why you are attending this year's Official IGLFA World Championship. 

Introducing Joe Organ from the Hotlanta Soccer Association in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Q: What is your name?

A: Joe Organ

Q: Age

A: 29

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I'm a musicion and I teach orchestra.

Q: How long have you been playing soccer (football or futbol in most of the word)?

A: I've played soccer almost my entire life.  my Mom didn't want us playing American Football, so she learned the rules of soccer and had all of my brothers and sisters and I play.  She ever refereed the 6-7 year olds!  I've been playing with Hotlanta for 6 years now and have loved every second of it.

Q: How many IGLFA Tournaments have you participated in?

A: I did Copenhagen in 2005, Chicago Gay Games in 2006, and Buenos Aires in 2007.

Q:  What is the biggest factor for you deciding to come to IGLFA 2009?

A: Atlanta had participated in every IGLFA Tournament and Gay Games since their inception, but unfortunately we could not put a team together for London last year.  We'll be back at the IGLFA Gay Soccer World Championship in DC where we belong!

Q: What are you looking forward to most at IGLFA 2009?

A: I've met so many great people and made some amazing friends.  It will be great to see everyone again.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A: Thank you to the organizer in Washington D.C.  Hosting IGLFA is such a tremendous undertaking.  Thank you!

Thanks Joe! If you would like to be featured in the IGLFA 2009 eNewsletter, answer the above questions and send a picture to use to michaelpranikoff@gmail.com

On A Budget?  No Problem! 

We mentioned in the last eNewsletter that we recognize that everyone is on a budget these days...well, more then ever, DC is the place to be this summer.  If you're coming to DC - especially from Europe, the dollar has had relative weakness in the last few years.  There are plenty of housing options available from the host hotel, to dorm housing, to hosted housing.

However, check out the sites too! You have the Smithsonian Museums- FREE; go see the Pandas at The National Zoo - FREE; and speaking of money...why not see how money is made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which by the way is FREE to go to!

In upcoming eNewsletters we will be making more information available.  One new addition in the IGLFA 2009 Travel & Accommodations section is our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.  This is a compilation of many of the questions that we've already been getting.  However, please send us more and we will answer anything we can.

 

 IGLFA 2009 Announcements: Volunteers Needed; IGLFA 2009 on Twitter; No Team? No Problem!; Traveling from Outside the USA; and more! 

  -  Volunteers are needed for IGLFA 2009.  We are looking for lots of volunteers to help with the IGLFA 2009 Tournament.  If you are interested in coming, already coming with someone who is participating, or just live in the Washington DC area and would like to Volunteer, please sign up to Volunteer now!  You can do so at the Volunteer Sign Up Page at IGLFA 2009 

  - Follow Us on Twitter IGLFA 2009 can now be found on Twitter!  Not sure what Twitter is?  Don't worry, just watch this short video to find out about the latest social media trend.

-  No Team? No Problem! IGLFA 2009 organizers have a straightforward solution for players in need of a team - register as an individual player looking for a team, and let us find a team for you!  Either play with one of the registered teams that is looking for players, or we can place you on a team made up of other lone wolves.  Enterprising players who prefer to do their own legwork are welcome to use the "Players Looking for a Team" board on the IGLFA 2009 Facebook Page.

Registering as an individual player looking for a team is quick and easy.  Just go to the IGLFA 2009 Online Registration Center and click the option for "register as a player looking for a team."  We'll handle the rest!  Individual registration have already come in from players in London, Boston, Chicago, Sydney, Dallas,  New Jersey, and more.  Just Do It!  You know you want too!

- Coming to IGLFA 2009 From Outside the US?  Make sure you know the details about getting your Visa!  If you are coming to IGLFA 2009 from outside the US, please be sure to know the details about obtaining your Visa.  If you have questions, please review the information on this subject under the Travel & Accommodations Section on IGLFA2009.org, or the article that was written in a past edition of the IGLFA eNewsletter.

- Make Sure your team is getting the IGFLA 2009 eNewsletter.  If you are not sure your team members are getting this newsletter or you would like this eNewsletter to go to a different address, you can add people or change your information from the IGLFA 2009 eNewsletter Section.