Experimental documentary depicting a radical utopia far from the rigid gender rules in competitive sports + a showcase of Boxing Against the Binary.
Life is not a competition but I’m winning
If history is written by the victors, where does that leave those who were never allowed to play? In this artistic documentary, a collective of queer athletes enters the Olympic Stadium in Athens and sets out to honor those who were excluded from standing on the winners’ podium. They meet Amanda Reiter, a trans marathon runner who has to struggle with the prejudices of sports organizers and Annet Negesa, a 800m runner who was invited by the international sports federations to undergo hormone-altering surgery. Together they create a radical utopia far from the rigid gender rules in competitive sports. This mix of archival footage and the lived experiences of gender nonconforming-, trans- and intersex athletes works to reclaim often overlooked (or erased) histories and again against the rigidity and violence of categorization that is so prevalent in the sportsworld.
After the movie, together with Romy Rockx (Queer Gym Rotterdam) and Meike (Queerball Utrecht), we dissect the rigid, heteronormative rules around gender that still prevail in today’s sports world. How does this sector develop itself in the areas of acknowledgement and visibility of queer people? What is the importance of gyms and sportsclubs that focus specifically on the LGBTQ+ community? And how can we work towards a inclusive and safe sports culture?
Romy Rockx (he/they): Five years ago, during the COVID-19 crisis, they established the first Queer Gym in the Netherlands. This stemmed from their passion for empowering people and creating a safer environment for queer individuals and their relationship with their bodies. Romy studied theater education at ArtEZ University of the Arts and trained as a personal trainer at Milo Education in 2020.
Boxing Against the Binary — Esmée van Loon (Netherlands, 17 mins)
Discover a unique gym in Rotterdam: the Queer Gym. A place for non-normative bodies to be active, both mentally and physically. A lot of people do not feel comfortable in typical sports environments that often hone in on heteronormative beauty ideals and fitness goals. This is why Romy founded this gym—a safe space where queer Rotterdammers can truly enjoy sports. Through intimate conversations with members, trainers, and Romy, this documentary shows why such a place is a real physical necessity for the queer community.
After the screening, stick around for the film inspired WorkOUT with Queerball Utrecht! The entry for the session is free, but requires a reservation as spots are limited.
“Queer Ballgames Utrecht is an accessible queer sports group that we organize twice a month. We alternate between different ball sports. Having fun playing sports together and providing a safe space are our top priorities.”
