Olympian Tom Daley, left, and his husband, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, visited the Pride House at Australia’s Commonwealth Games in 2018. (photo courtesy of Pride House International)

Since 2010, Pride Houses have served as a dedicated safe haven for LGBTQ+ fans, athletes and allies to congregate for most Olympic and Paralympic games. On March 18, the city of West Hollywood set the playing field to host the Pride House for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, as well as the World Cup in 2026.

A delegation of West Hollywood city officials, likely including the five members of the City Council, will visit Paris this summer either before or during the Summer Olympics. During its March 18 regular meeting, the City Council passed a motion directing City Manager David Wilson to organize the trip.

“West Hollywood likely will be a venue for Pride House for the both the World Cup and the Olympics,” said Councilman John Heilman, who initiated the item. “It’s important for our travel and tourism leaders to observe what is being done in Paris to welcome the LGBTQI community.”

During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada, the first Pride House was comprised of pavilions in Vancouver and Whistler. According to Pride House International, the nonprofit organization modeled the venues after the traditional Olympic hospitality house. Each served as a place to network with other athletes and fans, watch the games and learn about LGBTQ+ people in sports and combatting homophobia.

Over the following decade, Pride Houses grew, coinciding with more and more athletes coming out as LGBTQ+. The Russian government struck down an attempt to form a Pride House at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. As a result, a Sao Paulo group was inspired to create its own house for the 2014 World Cup. Other world championship competitions followed suit with additional facilities. According to its website, Pride House International has now seen 25 hubs hosted by 16 countries, with more than 50,000 visitors.

Mayor John Erickson described the city’s visit to Paris as a “passing of the baton.”

“We’re doing all we can to uplift LGBTQ athletes on these big worldwide stages,” Erickson said.

Wilson will now determine the specifics of the delegation, as well as the total cost for the city.

The cost is anticipated to run $5,000-6,000 per person, though Wilson may report back to the City Council for approval if additional funding is necessary for the delegation.

“We can learn from the experience of Paris,” Heilman said “I want to make sure we provide an exciting and welcoming venue for LGBTQI visitors and our allies.”

The first Pride House hubs opened for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. (photo courtesy of Pride House International)