USA HIV Travel Ban is Over

A press release is available on the USA Department of Homeland Security web site.
Click HERE for the press release.

Some of the details in the press release:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the publication of a final rule that will streamline the issuance of certain short-term non-immigrant visas to people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who are otherwise qualified to enter the United States.

Under this new regulation, Department of State consular officers overseas will now have the authority to grant temporary, non-immigrant visas to otherwise eligible applicants who are HIV-positive and meet certain requirements.

“This regulation significantly improves the opportunities for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. who were previously inadmissible because of an HIV infection,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

The HIV Waiver Final Rule will apply to foreigners who are HIV-positive and seek to enter the United States as visitors for up to 30 days; these individuals still must meet all of the other normal criteria for the granting of a U.S. visa.

Visas issued under this final rule will not publicly identify any traveler as HIV-positive.

Previously, individuals who are HIV-positive were prohibited from receiving a visa to visit the United States at all without an individual waiver.

Click HERE for the press release.

Fact Sheet: Streamlined Process Announced for Otherwise Eligible HIV-Positive Individuals to Enter the United States

Bill Konigsberg to speak at Vassar on Oct. 5-6

Gay Author Konigsberg To Discuss Personal Journey

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 29, 2008) -- Associated Press editor and author Bill Konigsberg, one of the few openly gay people in sports media, will be a guest at Vassar on October 5-6. Over the two days, Konigsberg will talk about his journey as a gay journalist and discuss his first novel, “Out of the Pocket,” the story of a gay high school quarterback.

A 1994 graduate of Columbia University, Konigsberg became internationally known for simulating out the remainder of that year’s strike-shortened baseball season on a computer program. He wrote about the games and posted results daily in the New York Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle and Miami Herald. Coverage of his simulated season was seen on NBC World News Tonight, Dateline NBC, CNN, and the Tokyo Broadcast System.

Since then, Konigsberg has been an award winning sports journalist and editor for the Associated Press. His first novel "Out of the Pocket" was just published by Dutton Juvenile and is available for purchase in the Vassar College bookstore.

Schedule

Sunday, October 5, 2008:

4 – 5 p.m. - Informal reception at the LGBTQ Center in Main Building Room 235.

6-8 p.m.: Talk entitled "Too Much Information?" A chronicle of his journey as an openly gay sports journalist turned novelist. Book signing to follow the talk. Kenyon Hall Club Room.

Monday, October 6, 2008:

1:30 - 3 p.m.: Guest Lecturer in English 101, Queer Alphabets. The class is in Sanders Classroom 113.

All events are free and open to the public. Seating is based on a first come first served basis.

The book Out of the Pocket is available on Amazon.com.

Interview with NCLR Sports Project Director Helen Carroll

The web site http://www.cherrygrrl.com/ interviews Helen J. Carroll, Project Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Sports Project. It has been over 30 years since Title IX and Helen J. Carroll answers the following questions in the interview:

1. What are the main goals of the Project?
2. What was your personal background in sports prior to joining the NCLR?
3. What do you consider to be the greatest successes of the Project so far?
4. What are some issues that you are currently working on?
5. What is the most common complaint/case brought before the NCLR Sports Project by lesbian athletes?
6. Where does the NCLR get its funding and what are some ways that people can get involved to help in the efforts being made?
7. What is your opinion of the current atmosphere for lesbian athletes playing in college and professionally right now? Do you feel that we still have a long way to go in terms of fighting homophobia and obtaining equality?
Do you feel that there are a large number of professional lesbian athletes afraid to come out? If so what do you think they are afraid of?
8. What is the It Takes a Team program all about?
What would say is the biggest difference between a lesbian college basketball player’s situation now as opposed to 10 or 15 years ago?
9. What would your advice be to a high school lesbian athlete who feels she is being mistreated and discriminated against because of her sexuality?
10. What are your hopes for the future of LGBT athletes?

Read the answers to these questions on http://www.cherrygrrl.com/2008/09/28/the-nclr%E2%80%99s-sports-project-levels-the-playing-field-and-helps-lesbian-athletes-reach-their-goals/

Cultural News - DC Cowboys dance on Television

The DC Cowboys have performed at least four weeks on the hit show "America's Got Talent". The D.C. Cowboys, Washington’s gay all-male dance troupe, took that look national with several appearances this fall on NBC’s reality competition show, “America’s Got Talent.

You may remember them performing to wild cheers in Chicago's Wrigley Field at Closing Ceremony of the Gay Games VII, Chicago Gay Games in 2006.

The TV show decided to keep them in the closet for the entire run on the show. What a shame. This follows hiding Matthew Mitcham's partner during the Olympics. Contact Glaad for a response.

Check out a full article of information about the DC Cowboys by reading the Washington Blade article by Zack Rosen.

Chicago 2008 Hall of Fame honorees announced

Chicago, IL — The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues has named the 2008 list of individuals and organizations for inclusion in the only known government-sponsored hall of fame that honors members of th LGBT communities, announced Commissioner and Chairman Dana V. Starks.

Chosen nominees will be inducted at the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame's 18th annual ceremony, which will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in Sidney R. Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Included in the list for 2008 are four important Gay Games supporters:
- Suzanne Arnold, for her long-term work in the local and national lesbian and gay sports community, including her terms as cochair of Team Chicago, female vice cochair of the Federation of Gay Games, and cochair and sports codirector of Gay Games VII in Chicago.
- Kevin G. Boyer, for his service to the LGBT communities, including his work as president of Gerber/Hart Library, cocreator of national Gay and Lesbian History Month, cofounder of the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and vice cochair of Gay Games VII in Chicago.
- Sam Coady, for his advocacy for LGBT workplace equality and for his long-term contributions to the LGBT sports communities, including founding the Chicago Hoops Classic - the largest and longest-running LGBT basketball tournament in the world - and cochairing Gay Games VII in Chicago.
- Joe La Pat (1943-2008), entrepreneur, for his generosity and wide-ranging support for Chicago's LGBT community, including early key support for Proud To Run, Strike Against AIDS, Chicago House, Gay Games VII - especially for international athletes who participated - and the Center on Halsted.

You may read the entire list of honorees and information about the program on the Chicago GLHF web site.

Previous honorees included Tracy Baim, Renae Ogletree, Mona Noriega, CC Carter, Tarrina Dykes, and others associated with Gay Games, prior to this blog being launched.

Cologne Pride

Whether you are going to Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany in 2010 or maybe you are going sooner for tourism. Cologne Pride web site has information and information on the PINK card you can purchase to save money during your visit.

The next Gay Games is in Cologne, Germany in August 2010. For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII in Cologne in 2010, visit http://www.games-cologne.com/ or phone +49 221 925 2607. For information concerning sponsors of the Federation of Gay Games, go to http://www.gaygames.org/ .

Youth Coaches suspended for allowing homphobic taunts

The News-Dispatch in Michigan City, Indiana is reporting that 2 coaches have been suspended for one year for allowing homophobic taunts to be used on some boys continually on the baseball fields. Click here to read the entire news article by Laura Wink.

Key paragraphs in the article that are alarming:

[Garbacik's decision came after a two-month investigation that started with complaints a 12-year-old baseball player was being harassed. The boy's parents contacted Garbacik in June after finding out their son was being called names such as "gay, fag, homo and queer" by other players.

Kaletha told Garbacik he was aware of the comments, but called it "joking and humor" and "just boys being boys." ]

How to address these problems?

There is hope and help on the play field. Dr. Pat Griffin is director of "It takes a Team!". Information and resources are available for coaches and families on the Women's Sports Foundation web site.

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Issues-And-Research/Homophobia.aspx

About It Takes A Team!
Educational Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sport

• Many girls don't play sports because they are afraid someone will call them a lesbian or they are afraid one of their teammates or a coach might be a lesbian
• Transgender athletes were formerly excluded from sports by sex verification policies
• Lesbian and bisexual women in sport are discriminated against based on stereotypes and homophobia
• Gay boys and men in sport keep their identities secret out of fear of harassment from teammates and coaches It Takes A Team! is an educational program designed to end homophobia in sport.
Learn more

City Team Profile: Team Philadephia

If you are looking for some fun in Philly, check out Team Philadelphia. Team Philadelphia lists events by day or by team on their web site.

Team Philadelphia is the umbrella group under which the various gay and lesbian sports teams and individual athletes in the Delaware Valley come together to provide a healthy outlet for all members of the community. Throughout the year, Team Philadelphia sponsors many events in order to raise funds to organize and support these athletes as the Delaware Valley 's official delegation to the quadrennial Gay Games.

Team Philadelphia is planning to attend Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany in 2010.

http://www.teamphiladelphia.org/

Will Matthew Mitcham be an aussieBum Model?

Australia's samesame.com.au is reporting a deal between Matthew Mitcham and aussieBum brand is in the works. The highest scoring diving Olympic gold medalist may soon be a model.

Read the story on samesame.com.au by clicking HERE.

http://www.samesame.com.au/

Sydney, Australia sets October 12 as Sports Day Out

The Sydney Star Observer online is reporting Team Sydney has named October 12 as Sports Day Out. It is an opportunity to promote over a dozen LGBT sports groups in Sydney.



Click here to read the full article.

New book "CRISIS" features essays of Gay Games Ambassdors

John Amaechi and Billy Bean both contributed essays to the book “CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay In America,” The book is just release and edited by Mitchell Gold.

The NewYorkBlade.com has a full article by Joelle L. Quartini.

Click here to read the article.

http://nyblade.com/

Gay Games producer takes the Vancouver Playhouse

Max Reimer

Max Reimer is new artistic managing director of the Vancouver Playhouse. He was the producer of the Gay Games opening and closing ceremonies in 1990. The globeandmail.com has a feature article about the rise of Max Reimer to this prestigious position. Congratulations Max Reimer!

Click HERE to read the full article.

http://www.vancouverplayhouse.com/

California Dreaming 2008 A Same-sex Dance Spectacular

California Dreaming same-sex dance spectacular on October 18, 2008

An unforgettable day of dramatic dance competitions, dinner, spectacular dance show & social dancing for the same-sex community and their friends:

Ballroom, Latin and Country Western and other partner dances

Just Dance Ballroom, Oakland, October 18th

www.caldancechamp.com

The Taboo of Sports: Gay Athletes

Kelly Crandall wrote an article for the bleacher report. The bleacher report is and Open Source Sports Network. She takes on the topic of gay athletes and the problems in professional sports with out gay and lesbians.

Click here for the article.

http://bleacherreport.com

NBC's Bob Costas talks about "out" Athletes including Matthew Mitcham

The blog http://www.afterelton.com/people/2008/9/bobcostas has a lengthy exclusive interview with NBC's Bob Costas. Bob tries to answer why NBC failed to do a full profile of Matthew Mitcham and then talks about out athletes, homophobia in sports and more. It is well worth reading.

Check it out by clicking HERE.

Team NY Aquatics hosts Aquapalooza in October

Join Team New York Aquatics for the fourth spectacular meet of the new millennium, Aquapalooza, Columbus Day Weekend: Saturday, October 11, 2008. It promises to be a very special holiday in NYC.

Registration is now open. Download an information and entry packet today! Entry deadline is Wednesday, September 24. For more details: http://www.tnya.org/aquapalooza/

Happy 90th Birthday Paul Mart

Photo of Gene Dermody, Paul Mart, and Sara Waddell-Lewinstein at the Gay Games 25th Anniversary Legacy dinner in October 2007, San Francisco.

Paul Mart, one of the founders of the Gay Games celebrates 90 years today. We wish Paul all the best. Paul is still a competitor in body building. Paul's long career includes being a veteran of WW II Pacific and Europe, Actor, Stuntman, Rodeo Bronco Rider. He is also a constant supporter of Gay Games.

Here is photo of Paul Mart in 2005 on tour promoting Chicago Gay Games. He is seen with Team Seattle board members and FGG volunteers in Seattle. He co-founded the Gay Games, and his support is strong.

First Gay HELI-SKI Week Planned in Canada

CMH HELI-SKIING LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER GAY HELI-SKI WEEK

Banff, Alberta - September 9, 2008: Next spring, Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), the first company to introduce winter sports enthusiasts to the joys of Heli-Skiing almost a half century ago, will debut another first-its first-ever Gay Heli-Ski Week.

From April 11-18, 2009, the remote Gothics Lodge in the Selkirks range of the Canadian Rockies will be host to the inaugural CMH Gay Heli-Ski Week.For seven days, 34 gay and lesbian skiers and snowboarders from around the world will converge on the Gothics for skiing and boarding in some of the world's most pristine powder and a guarantee of 100,000 vertical feet.

After exhilarating days on the slopes, guests return to the Gothics Lodge, where they'll have exclusive use of this picturesque lodge, dinner with new friends and time to unwind with a soak in the outdoor hot tub or a drink by the fireplace. And come Friday night, another CMH first -- a Long Johns & Lingerie theme party!

Cost per person is $5,500 CAD, based on double occupancy and exclusive of GST.

For more information, please visit www.cmhski.com/gayheliski, or call 1-800-661-0252.

Australia is putting Matthew Mitcham on a postage stamp

The Australian postal service putting Matthew Mitcham on postage stamps as part of a program to put all Australian Gold medal winners on postage stamps.

Check it out here: CLICK HERE

Homophobia and Sports Meeting In Melbourne

The Challenging Homophobia In Sports Initiative – Community Meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th September, 6pm at JOY FM’s Community Meeting Room, Level 9, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss what part homophobia plays in the lives of queer Victorians, consolidate the recent surge of community support, and to plan constructive future actions and events so that homophobia in mainstream sport will not go unchecked.

Click HERE for full details about this meeting.

Is Gay Softball too Gay

http://www.nagaaasoftball.org/

EdgeBoston.com asks the question if Gay Softball is too Gay. Seattle, WA hosted the NAGAAA Softball World Series in August 2008 and a team was disqualified for having too many straight players added to the team. Teams in NAGAAA agree to allow 2 straight players on each team. Other teams get disqualified for players filling in from other teams or cities to strengthen a team for a competition.

Click HERE to read the the Edge Boston article.

Manchester Pride Games begin in wet weather

Reds star in Pride Games
Article by Fay Schlesinger in the Manchester Evening News.

HUNDREDS of people braved the wet weather to take part in the Pride Games 2008 charity fun day.

Click HERE to read the article.

Gay Games Diving

People keep uploading small videos of Gay Games Events on YouTube.

Here is a diving video that has 624,995 view so far! Enjoy.

You can buy the Chicago Gay Games DVD from Wolfe Video for only $15.00.

Pride Games 2008 7th - 14th September Manchester, England

If you're in Manchester, England September 7 - 14 check out Pride Games Manchester. Currently in their 4th official year, organizers are hoping to build on last year's huge success. Over 30 different activities will be spread over the 7 days of the games.

Events will open with a 5k charity run at the Alexandra Park Opening Fun Day starting at 10.30am, Sunday 7th September, Alexandra Park, Manchester Kicking off a week of fabulous taster events and leading into a weekend of participative competitions and concluding with the Sport For All Festival on Salford Quays Sept 14th - it's open to all. See calendar for what's on and when.

Today in History: Gay Games I Closing Cermony

Gay Games I

It has been 26 years to the date since the first Gay Games closing ceremony, which took place at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco and opened on Aug. 28. They were originally called the Gay Olympic Games, but later were changed to Gay Games.

1982: The first Gay Games close in San Francisco. 1350 athletes from 179 cities in 12 countries participated in 14 events.

The next Gay Games will be in Cologne, Germany in 2010.
Be Part of It!


Register for the Cologne Newsletter.

Shirts and Skins coming to LOGO

Shirts and Skins
On September 15, Logo will premiere the anxiously awaited series Shirts and Skins. The show follows the lives of the San Francisco Rockdogs - winners of the gold at the international gay games in basketball. The team has been re-united in an effort to defend their title in national tournament wins. The team disbanded following the gay games for various reasons that included animosity among team members and desires to pursue personal lives. But now they're together again.