From Vancouver with love: A decade of Pride House As Beijing prepares to host the Olympics on February 4, many have wondered whether the government of China’s recent crackdown on LGBT representation means that inclusivity promoted at other recent Games will be banned at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The journey of inclusion has included many ups and downs, and it is far from over. Since the first Pride House at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, Pride Houses have been established at major sporting events in a dozen countries, attracting more than 50,000 visitors. Pride Houses are venues dedicated to LGBT athletes, coaches, fans, and allies during major sports events. The idea led to the concept of ‘Pride House,’ modelled after traditional Olympic hospitality houses. More than a decade ago, Vancouverite Dean Nelson put forth a radical idea: Support local communities in advancing LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) inclusion and combat homophobia and transphobia at mega sporting events worldwide.
