The 2011 British Championship ended in a blaze of publicity, with the issue of the ECF Presidents T-Shirt being te main topic of discussion. ECF President CJ de Mooi was planning to present the tournament prizes in a shirt that read "Some people are gay. Get over it!". The tournament arbiter, Lara Barnes, queried the appropriateness of the shirt and the fun started from there.
I've shared a few beers with de Mooi (at the 2010 Olympiad) and he was a nice, and passionate guy. Both about chess, and about gay rights. The debate about this issue seems to be either (a) he shouldn't be promoting another agenda at an ECF event or (b) he should have worn a suit and tie to present the prizes (and of course the position he should be allowed to wear what he likes)
As it is a developing story, I'll give you two links. The first is to the proper news story (in The Observer) while the second is to the debate about the issue (at the ECF forum)
1 comment:
The Gay thing seems to be always in our faces. I don't care if someone is gay or not-period. I play Chess...
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