Gay German Politician Guido Westerwelle Gives His Support To Gay Games VIII

The German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has given his support to the Gay Games VIII which will be held in Cologne from July 31st to August 7th.

Signed up to preside over the opening ceremonies that will take place in the RheinEnergie Stadium, the move by Westerwelle to give his support sends out an important message to both nationally and internationally about the acceptance of the LGBT community in the country.

Speaking about Westerwelle’s sponsorship of the event, the Games Cologne Executive Officer Annete Wachter said:

“Dr. Guido Westerwelle sends an important signal for more tolerance and acceptance of gays and lesbians in our society,”

It is expected that at least 12,000 participants will take part in this year’s event with at double that attending it in terms of spectators.

Guido Westerwelle is the first gay person to hold the position of Foreign Minister or Vice-Chancellor which he took up in October 2009, with his sexual orientation first becoming public when he attended Angela Merkel’s 50th birthday alongside his partner Michael Mronz.

Via Watermark.