Being LGBTIQA+ and women, inevitably leads us to learn various maneuvers, self-defense techniques, and various strategies while navigating the city. Especially in recent times, the restrictions brought about by political and societal pressure in public spaces unfortunately do not allow for the lively resistances and entertainments we experience in major squares… As women and LGBTIQA+ individuals who have been playing football in various indoor soccer fields around the city for a while, we asked ourselves if we can recreate the crowds we miss through sports, and if we can establish the phrase “we exist in public spaces” through sports as well, and since 2017, every year, we have been seeking the answers to these questions with Queer Olympix. Queer Olympix is a three-day sports event that we organize to alleviate some of the difficulties we face due to many discriminatory, sexist, and phobic discourses and actions within city life as women and LGBTIQA+ individuals, to come together, and to say “we are present in public spaces, we will exist”. After the ban decision that came to our events in 2019, we continue to hold these events without announcing them publicly. We believe that sport is one of the ways to liberate our bodies, besides its unifying power for the masses, and every year, we come together with queer sports teams, local organizations, and individual participants to create this experience together.
