Gay Games: Cleveland To Host In 2014

On Tuesday, the Federation of Gay Games announced Cleveland as their chosen city to host the 2014 games. The Gay Games, started in San Francisco in 1982, is the world's largest specifically gay sporting and cultural event.

"The City of Cleveland is prepared to roll out the welcome mat to the LGBT athletes, their families and spectators from around the world," said Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. "Fans of the Gay Games will find that Cleveland is a great place to celebrate sports and culture and that we have tremendous assets and amenities for them to enjoy. The sports and cultural environment here is truly a uniquely Cleveland experience, one they will cherish for years to come."

Full press release below:

Cologne, Germany [29 September 2009] -- The city of Cleveland, Ohio, USA, has been chosen by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) to host the 2014 Gay Games.

The announcement by the FGG comes after a year-long site selection process that culminated in formal presentations by bidding cities to the FGG Membership Assembly meeting this week in Cologne, Germany, site of the 2010 Gay Games. Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and Washington, D.C., USA were the other two finalists.

"Cleveland demonstrated to the Federation of Gay Games that they understood the mission of the Gay Games and our principles of "Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best," said Kurt Dahl (Chicago) and Emy Ritt (Paris), FGG Co-Presidents. "We were highly impressed by the facilities and infrastructure, the widespread community sport, their financial plan and the city's experience in hosting large scale sports and cultural events."

"The City of Cleveland is prepared to roll out the welcome mat to the LGBT athletes, their families and spectators from around the world," said Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. "Fans of the Gay Games will find that Cleveland is a great place to celebrate sports and culture and that we have tremendous assets and amenities for them to enjoy. The sports and cultural environment here is truly a uniquely Cleveland experience, one they will cherish for years to come."

"We are extremely honoured and pleased that Cleveland has been selected to host the 2014 Gay Games," said W. Doug Anderson, spokesperson for Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the bidding organization. "It is truly a privilege to continue Dr. Tom Waddell's legacy and vision in our city -- an extremely enthusiastic sports town - where the guiding principles of personal best, inclusion and participation are held dear. We are also pleased to be considered and selected from among two of the greatest cities in the world -- Boston and Washington, D.C. -- and greatly appreciate the support of both cities as Cleveland hosts the Gay Games in 2014."

The Gay Games is a quadrennial sports and cultural festival founded in 1982 by Olympic decathlete Dr. Tom Waddell. Drawing as many as 12,000 participants, more than the Olympics, Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1982, 1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Amsterdam (1998), Sydney (2002), and Chicago (2006). The 2010 Gay Games (www.games-cologne.com) will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 31 July to 7 August 2010.

Cleveland's 2014 Gay Games IX Sports & Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place 9 to 16 August 2014. The 8-day event will feature 30 sports, 4 cultural events, an Opening and Closing Ceremony and community and cultural events throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area. Gay Games generate $50 to $80 million in estimated local economic impact in additional to significant ongoing travel and tourism visibility benefits for the host city.

The announcement was carried live worldwide via webcast. A recording of the announcement can be viewed "on demand" at http://www.livestream.com/2014GayGames.

Comments

[XCITIZEN]

Hey Cleveland, I may just be coming for a visit....

[Passenger57]

President Obama should have pretended he was trying to get them to come to Chicago for a day or two...just enough time for some anti-Obamans' heads to explode.

[Adickson42]

Way to go Cleveland. as an ex denizen I know that many people worked really hard to make this happen. It will be a boost to the economy and the region. So many great restaurants, museums and other cultural events to enjoy while in town.

[LeonBNJ]

Does Cleveland and the state of Ohio recognize same gender 'partnerships' or full marriage rights? I don't think so. Thus am surprised that isn't a factor in the city they choose for these games.

[wwoody]

Well let the games begin.

[margent7]

I am absolutely tired of all the 'special' things LGBT's demand. Assimilation into our soceity takes nothing more than acting like a contributing member of of it. What is more special about them than say, African Americans, Why not have games just for them? How about, oh, left handed red heads with a propensity towards sea food? These kinds of events just call attention to the differences and do absolutely nothing to foster inclusiveness.

[XCITIZEN]

Whose society is "our society?" When you say "our society" could you possibly mean the society that you live in, that reinforces your values, that counts you as its majority? Is that what you mean?

[brahdog]

is there and echo in here?

i guess there is:

yes, that's what you really really want: to foster inclusiveness for gay people. you just disapprove because of your concern that we're jeopardizing this inclusiveness by our "demands" for "special things".

well are you not merciful.... are you not merciful?!!?

echo...ech­o...cho...­cho......m­argaret cho...

[Tex1969]

That's the second time you posted that. So you believe that LGBT should be treated
like everyone else?

[Shozen]

If you REALLY want too, you could go and compete.

[tombollocks]

Did you ever stop and think that maybe...just maybe this is an opportunity to showcase how normal LGBT's are? Especially compared to "society"...

And yes, if left-handed redheads with a propensity towards seafood want an event or 20 events, it doesn't matter, as long as those left-handed redheads with a propensity towards seafood enjoy themselves.

[brahdog]

str8 people wigging out: it's just a safe environment for gays, lesbians and their allies to indulge in their love of sports and compete with unthreatened camaraderie that is so often lacking in "mainstream" homophobic sporting competitions. is that really so hard to understand or appreciate?

but your clucking disapproval and condescencion is noted in our gay agendas. again.

[margent7]

Then maybe we should have straight only competitions for the same exact reasons

[XCITIZEN]

LOL - you really are wiggin' out! I can see the steam coming out of your ears - THOSE GAYS! THEY REALLY MAKE ME HOT UNDER THE COLLAR!!!!

[margent7]

What about games for st ra igt hts for the same exact reasons

[brahdog]

what "exact same reasons"? the lack of safe environment and unthreatened camaraderie? those reasons?

go for it, dude. no one is stopping the persecuted straights from organizing such an event. i, for one, would probably watch it on pay-per-view.

[imperator prime]

First: The official, "normal" Olympics *are*-- arguably-- "straight" Olympics (or at least very hetero-pre­ferential) because of just how homophobic many of the mainstream sporting organizations are, and how homophobic many of the participating nations are. There's a long list of countries from which you will probably *never* see an athlete who can be as open about their gay orientation as their hetero teammates are about theirs. Because if they were, they'd be jailed or murdered. Further proof-- remember Matthew Mitcham, the Australian diver who routed a Chinese sweep of the medals at the last summer Olympics? Remember when all the Olympic broadcasts of his event showed his boyfriend in the stands? No? That's because the vast majority of them didn't. Now try to convince anybody that if he'd been dating some pretty girl that we wouldn't have seen her cheering him on. The bias against queers in sport may be subtle (except when it isn't) but it's there, and it's pervasive, and as long as it's still acceptable in your "society" to mock the 'sissy' kids in elementary school gym class, gay people are going to continue to feel unwelcome in 'mainstream' events. Yet even so-- in case you didn't read about the Gay Games and inform yourself before opening your wordhole-- they don't exclude straight people. Anyone can compete! The only barrier to inclusion is a would-be contender's own prejudices.

[imperator prime]

Second: I suppose you're waiting for the "Straight Pride Parade" to roll through, too? Except straight people don't need one and you bloody well know it. Because discrimination against straight people isn't rampant. Straight people don't get evicted from homes or fired from jobs *for being straight.* Straight people don't get spit on or beaten within an inch of their lives and left for dead *for being straight.* Straight people don't experience fear and shame *for being straight.* You might experience plain old human angst, but your 'straight pride' is a still given-- you have the luxury of taking it utterly for granted-- because you're the "normal" majority. You are not oppressed as a heterosexual; passively stopping discrimination against others does *not* constitute active discrimination against you.

Until you get that through your head and realize what a basic thing you have that others don't (you might even call it a "special" [and un-earned] status), maybe you should shut up about "special privileges­/right/eve­nts" for gays.

[middleoftheroad]

Do you want to indulge sport or gayness? I'm being serious. The special olympics makes sense, but if you are a gay runner, can't you compete for the real thing?

[AndeT]

Yes, of course, and they do, but there are still a great many sports where a gay athlete can not safely be out.

The difference with the Gay Games is that anyone can participate. You don't have to be gay. You don't have to be an elite athlete, although it's typically the elite athletes that win medals.

It's the value of inclusiveness. Gay Games was originally conceived to show that gays are and can be accomplished athletes and can enjoy sporting events just like everyone else.

[brahdog]

how about indulging in sport and celebrating a safe atmosphere for gayness? zat ok wichu?

[XCITIZEN]

It's remarkable - how many people posting here that they 'don't get it' or that 'this is ridiculous' or that 'gays are just segregating themselves' are doing so tossing about their opinions and simultaneously professing complete ignorance of gay peoples' struggle for equality, for respect, and for civil rights.

This profound ignorance, however, is just a passive-aggressive way of exhibiting homophobia, and not taking any responsibility for it. Passive-aggressive. Look it up.

[margent7]

I am ab sol utely tired of all the 'special' things L G B T's demand.

As simi lation into our soceity takes nothing more than acting like a contributing member of of it.

What is more special about them than say, Afr ic an Am eric ans,

Why not have games just for them?

How about, oh, left handed red heads with a propensity towards sea food?

These kinds of events just call attention to the dif fer ences and do absolutely nothing to foster inclusiveness.

[XCITIZEN]

You're on a roll, keep posting that same comment over and over, it really adds to your credibility!

[brahdog]

yes, that's what you really really want: to foster inclusiveness for gay people. you just disapprove because of your concern that we're jeopardizing this inclusiveness by our "demands" for "special things".

well are you not merciful.... are you not merciful?!!?

[klandish]

At the risk of repeating myself I'll just say... the same people that ridicule Gays for "segregating" themselves are the same ones that want them segregated or in some instances non-existent. You aren't fooling anyone... maybe that fake concern is better left to your mirror.

[hopefull2008]

Is there a testing procedure to verify that one qualifies for these games ?

[XCITIZEN]

I could show you how it's done...if you think it will help you to understand.

[montemalone]

funny

[babeltek]

This is ridiculous. Gays aren't barred from participating in the Olympics. I don't get their culture of self-segregation. I thought that was NOT what equality was about.

[DaneAZ]

You have it wrong - individual countries decide who goes to the Olympics.
The vast majority of all the countries on this Earth either Criminalize homosexuality or at the very least BAN gays from any participation in any event that represents that country.

Therefor a HUGE number of LGBT athletes from all over the world ARE NOT allowed to participate in the Olympics at all.

I worked for the Gay Games in Chicago and I got to see the joy on the faces of the athletes from those countries...it was UNBELIEVABLE.

This does matter.

Please think it through a little more.

[DnDCfromChi-town]

I'm delighted 4 Cleveland. I must admit when i think of Gay Games Cleveland does not come to mind. I hope both the city and the athletes’ have a great time. Much needed revenue I’m sure. We’re anticipating the same success for the 2016 Olympics in Chicago

[SwingingFromCenter]

It's "events" like this which make it more difficult for the gay subculture to be taken seriously. It's one thing to just say "yeah, this is us, we're into something different" and not treat themselves like they are somehow special or "different" from the rest of the world. It's quite another to host all these cliquish, "look at me, I'm a unique little snowflake" events which exclude the general public because they're just so different and need to be looked upon as such.

We're ALL different in a way. Be it by skin color, nerdiness, orientation, wealth, or whatever. This subculture is the only one that goes out of its way to try to set itself apart from the rest of society while claiming to want to integrate.

[XCITIZEN]

Can't you come up with a better cover for your homophobia? You sound jealous, or maybe just lonely. Well, you'll find plenty of 'happy people' in Cleveland in 2014 - can you possible wait that long? Oh, the excitement! Aren't you just on the edge of your seat? Butterflies in your tummy? Isn't it going to be a thrill, to drive into the city, on that special day, knowing finally, you won't feel so all alone? Better go online to book your room NOW! See you there, my special new friend!

[brahdog]

the only subculture that sets itself apart this way by saying "look at me, I'm a unique little snowflake", huh. i guess you've got your frowny sour face on for miss black america as well? or other "unique snowflake" "events" as comic con, the furry conventions, the puerto rican day parade or any christian music festival.

but if you really feel committed to your condescension, just consider it a cousin of the special olympics, then.

or if you're feeling more compassionate, look at it with the same kind of curious benevolence as the finnish wife carrying contest.

[SwingingFromCenter]

Comic Con: All are welcome
Furry conventions: All are welcome
Puerto Rican Day Parade: All are welcome
Miss Black America: Yeah, it's limited, but they don't go over the top in advertising about it.

[Mr-Mikey]

Having read the goals, and ideals for this olympics every time it pops up. I still can't get over the mentality of the fact that we're treating gay and lesbians on the same level as physically handicapped persons.

Personally, I think we should get rid of the titles. "Gay olympics" "Handicap Olympics" "Insertnam­eofrace/de­nomination­/creed olympics" and really embrace the idea of a unified olympics.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." The Olympic motto.

Revamp the Olympics to show the struggles and triumphs of ALL People. Instead of creating new olympics for every emergent culture and subculture.

Then again I've always hoped for some sort of utopian society as the goal of our struggle. Equality for all? :P

[repentandtrust]

Mikey,

Cmon, Of course it's important to win. Stop the I'm just happy to be here, blah, blah blah. I get so tired of the post-modern attitude where every answer is right and everybody wins.

There is a right and wrong in this world and if these so called atheletes cannot compete at the top level then don't create a watered down competition.

[mattwg440]

"there is a right and wrong in this world"

nahh, we really just made it all up. you might say there is a notion of right and wrong that is more or less agreed upon by the majority of humanity. Nature might not be kind in the long haul to the use of sports performance as a metric by which to gauge who is most worthy of more resources. that is nature though.

[mattwg440]

if only utopia was sustainable in the framework of human psyche. Alas...

[XCITIZEN]

"we're treating gay and lesbians on the same level as physically handicapped persons..."

Isn't that comment an admission that you consider handicapped people to be 'not equal' to 'regular' people? I mean, if the inference is that gays should be considered 'regular' people, then are you not implying that to put them at par with 'handicapped' people is to somehow degrade them?

Take a good look at your quote. You have used this argument to claim neutrality, but it's just a disguise for your unconscious disdain. Wow, take a look at yourself - take a look in the mirror.

[afrographia]

It's always amusing to me--if not a bit depressing--that folks offer opinions on here that are totally and sometimes willfully and arrogantly uninformed. While it is certainly ok to ask why there is a Gay Games, to attack the idea of a Gay Games without first reading about its mission and history online is, frankly, lazy and smacks of a kind of bigotry. I'm not saying you're a bigot because you don't agree with the idea of the Gay Games; I'm saying you're a bigot for so easily dismissing the Gay Games without reading about what it has meant to people who have participated. The bigotry here is: You people aren't even worth me stretching my mind or considering another possibility.

[klandish]

Excellent post. With out engaging in angry rhetoric (as I usually do) you managed to speak to the minds and hearts of anyone open enough to reconsider their reactionary position. There's no way around your argument. People - do your homework before you mindlessly spout off.

[DnDCfromChi-town]

U engage in "angry rhetoric"? :D

[rainbowrecruiter]

despite "that lifestyle" it's ok to help your ohio. how nice.