Win attendance at Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 during the Advent season

Discover the online Advent calendar from Gay Games VIII and win great prizes, including a grand prices of base registration in Gay Games VIII, worth 125 euros!

Beginning on December 1, each day a door will open on the Advent calendar on www.games-cologne.de. Behind the door you'll find a question regarding next year's Gay Games. All answers can be found on the website, and a drawing will be held from among all correct responses daily. Daily prizes include Gay Games merchandise: a lapel pin, a tshirt, or a baseball cap.

The grand prize drawing will take place on December 24 for free basic registration worth 125 euros. All registrants as of that date are eligible, so register now! Not only will be entered in the drawing, but you'll beat the late registration fee that kicks in on January 1.

A Thanksgiving message

As our friends in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, we wish them all a safe and happy holiday.

We also give thanks to the bold men and women who founded the Gay Games nearly thirty years ago, and to the thousands of people who have taken the flame of the Gay Games since then. We are particularly thankful for our hosts and bidders, who have allowed for this magnificent dream to become a reality every four years.

And we are of course thankful for the dynamic team of Games Cologne, host of Gay Games VIII, which is close to reaching 3000 registrations!

Gay Games Facebook group breaks 1000!

Created less than eight months ago, the Gay Games Facebook group has just passed the 1000-member mark. Click here to access.

Facebook is just one of the ways you can show your support for and keep in touch with the Gay Games. Become a member of this Facebook group to receive the latest Gay Games news. You can also sign up for the Gay Games newsletter HERE.

You can register for Gay Games VIII at http://www.games-cologne.com/.

THANK YOU to Friends of Gay Games

Dear Friends of Gay Games,

Thank you!

As the year-end approaches, we wanted to take a moment to express our appreciation to you for your ongoing support and presence.

As a loyal supporter of the Gay Games, we appreciate your accomplishments of the past twelve months, and we wanted to express how truly grateful we are to each of you for your continued support of FGG and the Gay Games. As described in the attached 2009 FGG Board Annual report, the quality and quantity of work that you all have completed is truly remarkable.

With your collaboration and support, we commit to continuing to do our utmost to promote the Gay Games and to providing practical benefits and services to each of you and your organisations. As always, your feedback and comments are very welcome.

We are especially grateful to the massive efforts and dedication of our Games Cologne colleagues, who are working day and night for Gay Games VIII. Thanks to their non-stop work around the world, registrations have exceeded projections and we are on target for a fantastic week in Cologne next year. We look forward to seeing you all there.

In the meantime, we hope you will take advantage of the cornucopia of FGG resources available:

• Browse the Gay Games resources at www.games-cologne.com & www.gaygames.org
• Check out the Gay Games blog (gaygamesblog.blogspot.com) and Facebook page
• Connect with your LGBT sports and culture colleagues via the FGG Intranet
• Review information communicated via newsletters and regular committee meetings

Please accept our best wishes for health, happiness, and continued success.

Thanks, again, for your continued support and encouragement.

Emy Ritt and Kurt Dahl
FGG Co-Presidents
on behalf of the FGG Board of Directors

Jeff Sheng moves from athletes to soldiers...

Friend of the Gay Games Jeff Sheng is following up on his Fearless Campus Tour, which portrayed LGBT high school and college athletes, with a new project called Don't Ask Don't Tell. This project was featured in the Los Angeles Times:

Why would you want to take a portrait of someone without showing his or her face? The essence of portrait photography, after all, is to capture the spirit of the subject and to reveal some crucial aspect of his or her identity.

But in the case of L.A. photographer Jeff Sheng's latest project, capturing his subjects' faces would almost certainly put their careers in jeopardy. That's because Sheng has set about to photograph U.S. military service personnel who are gay but closeted in their work lives. Titled "Dont' Ask, Don't Tell," the ongoing project consists of a series of stark, sometimes sad, portraits of U.S. soldiers who are forced to hide a part of who they are.

"I want to give an invisible community some visibility, but at the same time, to keep them invisible," said Sheng on the phone from Vancouver, where he is working on another project.

"There's already a lot of journalistic work on gay people in the military who have been discharged. My project is more about people who are still serving."

Continue reading HERE.

The Gay Games and the Changing Face of Equality in Ohio

From Change.org:

When Cleveland, Ohio was awarded the 2014 Gay Games earlier this fall, the city beat out two east coast rivals -- Boston and Washington, D.C. -- that many saw as much more progressive on LGBT rights issues.

By their very nature, the Gay Games are going to cause a swarm of attention on the city of Cleveland, leaving many wondering if the 2014 Gay Games will change the face of equality in Ohio. [...T]hey may provide an organizing catalyst for activists in the Buckeye State to carry forward some really great gains made for equality in a region that was long thought to be a solid part of red America.

Cleveland City Councilmember Joe Cimperman said at the forum for the Games this month that "the Gay Games will change Cleveland forever." That is, if Cleveland doesn't change first. Already this year, the city of Cleveland passed a citywide domestic partnership registry, and the State House in Ohio passed a statewide employment non-discrimination act.

Better news yet is that a Cincinnati legislator introduced a bill that would overturn Ohio's ban on same-sex marriage. Even Canada is getting excited about the Gay Games being in Cleveland. The Pride Executive for Windsor, Canada said that they hope to spend the next few years gearing up for the Games, wooing tourists across Lake Erie to see the wonderful world of gayness that is Ontario.

With the four-year countdown to the Cleveland Gay Games already in effect, the Games are well on their way to becoming an organizing tool for equal rights in Ohio. Watch this year for major events in Ohio to build support for the Games. The key is to make sure that these events don't only build support for a large athletic event, but for the struggle for equal rights for LGBT people throughout Ohio and the entire region.

CHEER SF celebrates its 30th year and prepares for Gay Games VIII

From the Examiner.com:

This fall, CHEER San Francisco celebrates its 30th anniversary of entertaining audiences around the world while raising funds for local service organizations. The 65+ volunteer team kicked off its pearl anniversary with high-flying performances in San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and most recently, Palm Springs.

“It is amazing that CHEER SF is able to thrive as an all-volunteer organization, all the while staying true to our mission to perform, fundraise, and help people in need” said Program Director Steve Burke. To date, CHEER SF has donated over $150,000 to local, national and international agencies that serve people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging conditions.

Performing volunteer Anthony Alston added, “This year, we kicked up our efforts to raise even more. Not only are we raising money for our beneficiaries, but we’re also competing in Germany at the Gay Games which requires even more support from our community.” CHEER SF has appeared at all seven quadrennial Gay Games, and for the first time next summer, Cheerleading will be an adjudicated competition at Gay Games VIII. To offset some of the travel costs, the team has challenged itself to raise $60,000, double its typical annual goal.

Continue reading HERE.

Call for nominations for FGG Tom Waddell Award

What is the purpose of the Tom Waddell Award?
The Tom Waddell Award was established in 1990 to recognize men and women with a history of service to the Gay Games and/or the worldwide LGBT community in the arts, athletics, and/or volunteerism.


How often and to whom is the Tom Waddell Award given?
The Tom Waddell Award is given to one man and one woman, every four years, during the Gay Games opening or closing ceremony.

What are the nomination qualifications?
A nominee should:
- Inspire pride through leadership and excellence in sports, culture, or volunteerism
- Provide inspiration and participate at his or her personal best
- Devote energies to the success of the Gay Games and/or related activities without regard for personal gain
- Personify commitment, selflessness, and love of humanity

For more information and to submit a nomination
Click HERE for nomination form. When complete, submit to: awards@gaygames.org. Deadline 31 January 2010.

Gay Games Ambassador takes bronze at WDFPF championships

Chris Morgan, the current Gay Games Powerlifting champion, has won a bronze medal at this year’s World Drug Free Powerlifting Championships.

He was lifting in the competition held in Milton Keynes in England and made lifts of 230 kilos in Squat followed by 115 kilos in Bench Press and 230 Kilos in Dead lift, for a total of 575 kilos at 82.5 kilo bodyweight. This was Chris’s sixth world championship final and an addtion to his collection of medals that now consists of two Golds (2005 & 2009), two Silvers (2005 & 2008) and two bronzes (2006 & 2009).

Speaking about the competition, Chris said, "I’m delighted to have participated my sixth world championship and to have continued my successful run of medals. It was always going to be difficult to be motivated for this competition after the highs of becoming the World Dead lift Champion only two months ago. My intention was always to use this competition as part of my training programme for the defence of my World Championship in Moscow this coming spring."

"The trip to Russia next year has special significance in light of the repression towards gay people in that country and the fact that Powerlifting is their national sport. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the Gay Games Scholarship programme, which currently has the objective of ‘Outreach’ into eastern Europe. The primary goal of this programme is to enable as many eastern European artists and athletes as possible to participate in Gay Games Cologne 2010."

Chris has recently qualified as a WDFPF International Referee and was selected by England as an official for the recent World Championship ‘Single’ Event in Bradford and also last weekend’s World Championships in Milton Keynes. He has now completed the Divisional, National and International diplomas making him one of the youngest international referees within the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation.

Chris’s forthcoming competitions are the South West Divisional Championships on 6th December in Newquay, England and South West Divisional Championship ‘Single’ Event on 24th January in Newton Abbott, England.

The FGG is very pleased to offer its congratulations to Chris and thank him for his ongoing efforts to promote Gay Games VIII, and in particular for his offer to bring the Gay Games message to Russia.

Long Beach info party!

Join us for a Gay Games information event on November 22nd, 12:00 p.m. at the Silver Fox 4th Street at Redondo Blvd., Long Beach, California.

Please come out to the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 Information party.
Everyone that registers at this event will receive a €10 discount.

Mark Chambers
info@glbsa.org
Greater Long Beach Sports Assoc.
Team Long Beach
http://www.glbsa.org

Federation of Gay Games at the "Match against all forms of discrimination"

For background on this story, read THIS.

After this story broke, the FGG quickly expressed its support to Paris Foot Gay (letter HERE), and was welcomed as a supporter of the "Match against all forms of discrimination" organized by the city of Paris Saturday (press release HERE).

See our photos and coverage of the match HERE.

Gay Games VIII registrations exceed forecasts

2,500 registrations by November 2009 surpass projections for next year's Games
For complete article, click here.

"We are ahead of projections at this moment. Experience shows that more than half of all Gay Games participants register in the last few last months before the Opening Ceremony. Especially in times of economic crisis, when most people are not able to make long-term decisions, we are even more pleased with this overwhelming success!" adds Michael Lohaus, Co-President of the Cologne Gay Games. The success is the result of the many public relations activities of the Games Cologne team. "

For more information: www.games-cologne.com

On the Road - Puerto Vallarta

There are always more opportunities to invite people to Gay Games and tell the life changing stories of the Gay Games and LGBT sport. While at the Atlantis Events, Puerto Vallarta week, I was able to wear my Games Cologne t-shirts in 3 different parties. I also was able to answer questions from people who had never heard of the Gay Games, and also made friends with people who volunteered and participated in the past. I also talked a few guys into registering before the end of the year to save money. Naturally, I had Games Cologne business cards in my pocket for every party! Next Week the resort goes all lesbian with Olivia.

Lynn L Bush with Gay Games Kelly

Gay Games Kelly and Miss Richfield 1981

Gay Games Kelly at the White Party

Gay Games Kelly meets Miss Richfield 1981

FGG member Equal Ground

A press release from member Equal Ground, Sri Lanka:

Sri Lankan Gay man granted Asylum in the US

We are pleased to announce another success in our long list of Asylum cases. Sam’s (not his real name) excited email reached us this morning – 13th November 2009 and reads:

“I am very happy to inform you that I was granted my gay asylum in USA. As I know I am the 3rd person whom granted gay asylum in USA. Equal Ground and you personally helped me on this matter a lot. I am thanking Equal Ground and personally for you Rosanna, because you helped me in every way not only giving a declaration, personally advising me on my problems which happen to me because of my gay activities… “

We are happy for Sam and wish him all the luck for his new life in the US.

EQUAL GROUND sincerely hopes that there will come a time when wonderful people such as Sam don’t have to flee this country because of the way they are treated here for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. We hope in time, the laws will change and people are more accepting. In the meanwhile, we will do our utmost to assist those who need our help.

FGG supports the "Match against all forms of discrimination"

The Federation of Gay Games will be represented at the "Match against all forms of discrimination" organized by the City of Paris and the Paris Foot Gay soccer club on Saturday 14 November at Stade Charléty.

This event was created as an opportunity to fight homophobia in football following the refusal of the Créteil Babel club to play against Paris Foot Gay. Unfortunately, the Créteil club decided not to play alongside PFG in this match, and has since been excluded for life from its league. While this club has disbanded, the city of Paris still wanted to offer an opportunity for a match symbolizing the fight against homophobia in sport.

-----

Press release from Paris Foot Gay

Grand match de lutte contre les discriminations au stade Charléty le samedi 14 novembre 2009 à 15H

(entrée gratuite).

Suite au refus du club Créteil-Bebel de jouer contre notre club , nous organisons avec le soutien de la Mairie de Paris un match amical de lutte contre toutes les formes de discriminations, où les joueurs du Paris Foot Gay affronteront une sélection composée de représentants associatifs, de responsables politiques, d'anciens sportifs de haut niveau ainsi que de personnalités.

Le coup d'envoi, donné par notre marraine Agnès b., aura lieu à 15H, et sera précédé du discours de l'Adjoint au Maire de Paris chargé de la Culture, Christophe Girard.

Cet événement sera l'occasion pour les associations participantes de présenter leur travail militant au travers de la tenue d'un stand :

Act up - Aides - Culture Foot Solidaire - Fédération des Gay Games - FIDL - France Terre d'Asile - FSGL - Humanity in Action - Inter GLBT - LICRA - Nef des Fiertés - Ni putes Ni soumises - MRAP - Musifoot - SOS Homophobie - Sos Racisme - So Films - UEJF - Tjenbé Red.

Face aux membres du Paris Foot Gay, les joueurs de l'équipe b.yourself :

Franck Annese (So Films), Jean-François Dereck (humoriste) Mohamed Dridi (ancien champion du monde de Kickboxing)

Enoch Effah (triple champion du monde de Boxe), Patrice Finel (Conseiller général de Vigneux),

Pierre Henry (Directeur général de France Terre d'Asile), Anthony Kavannah (artiste)

Jean-Claude Mbvoumin (Président de Culture Foot Solidaire), Jean Vuillermoz (Adjoint au Maire chargé des sports).

Par ailleurs, la Ligue de Foot Professionnelle nous fera l'honneur de sa présence et sera représentée par Jean-François Thouvenot.

Enfin, le lever de rideau opposera l'équipe de journalistes de Libération à celle de France Info.

Nous vous attendons nombreux pour venir nous soutenir. "

Roger Brigham's Jocktalk on San Francisco Honorary Life Members

EBAR Sports
Published 11/12/2009

by Roger Brigham
jocktalkroger@yahoo.com

[An] informal awards ceremony was held for the four Bay Area residents who were most recently honored as Honorary Lifetime Members by the Federation of Gay Games. FGG representative Doug Litwin introduced Golden Gate Wrestling President Gene Dermody, who has wrestled in every Gay Games, was one of the founding members of Team SF, and has been an active volunteer with the federation for more than a decade. Dermody then introduced his fellow honorees:

- Shawn Kelly, who was tennis coordinator for Gay Games I, executive director of Gay Games II, worked with Vancouver organizers to ensure the sports success of Gay Games III, and then helped the creation of the FGG to oversee future games.

- Erich Richter, who created an award-winning Web site for the federation and gave it the technology tools to conduct business and surveys while representing Wrestlers WithOut Borders.

- Roger Brigham (that's me), for the work I did to help the federation change its organizational structure, handle public relations in the wake of Montreal's decision not to host the 2006 Gay Games, and the creation of targeted newsletter and Web site content for participants.

What struck me about my fellow honorees was the degree to which their "real" contributions could not be adequately described in a 30-word summary on their award certificates. Kelly was a calm and stabilizing voice working in conjunction with Vancouver organizers in 1990. Dermody at the time was a brash, abrasive grappler who was focused on his own athletic career and the success of his team. Both had been thrust into leadership roles when AIDS had claimed the lives of the two men, Tom Waddell and Don Jung, who had brought each of them into the movement. They had very different views of what was important in 1990, they had some bitter fights, they both were right on different things – and because the event had the flexibility to embrace their diverse views and those of dozens of others as yet unrecognized men and women, the Gay Games were able to transition from a purely San Francisco product to a true cultural phenomenon on a life-changing global scale.

At which time Richter subtly and creatively crafted a marketing image of the Gay Games that said this was not just another rainbow-waving party: this was something amazing, something inspiring, that the world had never seen before.

Wine and Dinner Benefit for Team Oregon 2010

Enjoy a fabulous wine/dinner pairing at West Cafe, Portland, Oregon.

A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Team Oregon 2010.
---Tuesday, November 17
---Seating starts at 7:00 pm
---Address: West Cafe, 1201 SW Jefferson, Downtown Portland
---To reserve, call +1.503.227.8189 or email: eat@westcafepdx.com

To Read More About This Event:
http://www.teamoregon2010.org/?p=212

11/11 Discount: Today only!

November 11 is a public holiday in many countries, and as we commemorate Armistice/Rembembrance/Veterans Day, it will be especially easy to take advantage of the one-day-only "11/11" registration offer from Games Cologne.

A message from Games Cologne :

On 11/11 at 11:11 AM the famous Koelner Karneval begins in Cologne. Gay Games VIII invites you to register on this opening day of Carnival and save 11 euros.

Eleven is a magical number in the Rhineland. This is especially valid for Cologne. For the Cologner, the number 11 reminds them of the soaring towers of their beloved cathedral, the landmark of the city. Cologners love their carnival even more, which traditionally begins on 11/11 at 11:11 AM. The Koelner Karneval reflects tolerance, solidarity, and fun, values it shares with the Gay Games.

This is reason enough for the Cologne Gay Games to sweeten the registration offer, 261 days before the Opening Ceremony, with a „Kamellschen“ (a sweet made for the carnival), a sweet registration offer!

Currently the base registration fee is 125 euros [150 as of January 1]. Register on 11 November 2009 [for 24 hours, local time], and we will grant you a discount of 11 euros! Enter the discount code “111109” during your registration, in the “voucher code” field you will find on the payment page at www.games-cologne.com (make sure to click on the "Cash your voucher" button). After you have typed the discount code “111109,” the reduced registration fee of 114 euros will appear on your bill (plus your sports or culture fee).

We look forward to your registration! And we especially look forward to your participation at the VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010 beginning 31 July. On the program are 34 kinds of sport and 5 cultural events – there’s something for everyone. Additionally we’re planning an extensive social program. You can already book your tickets today for many attractions from our event series „Fans & Friends“.

By the way: You can find more information about the Cologner Carnival on our website: www.games-cologne.de/en/static/gay-cologne/carnival-a-fantastic-time
And: You can also celebrate the carnival with us during the Gay Games: www.games-cologne.de/en/events/events-2010

Event to honor Legacy Award winners and support Gay Games scholarships

The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is having an event to present the FGG Legacy Awards to Tracy Baim, for media and journalism, and to Dick Uyvari and Joe La Pat for outreach and scholarship support. These honorees were vital to the success of the 2006 Scholarship Program in Chicago.

The event will be Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8-9:30 p.m. at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. A donation to the Gay Games Scholarship Program of $10 is suggested.

Details about the FGG are available HERE.

If you cannot attend, please make an online donation HERE.

Bringing new participants to the Gay Games is critical to continuing the growth of the Gay Games movement, which began in 1982. The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is working in partnership with the host of Gay Games VIII Cologne to encourage people from underrepresented areas and demographic groups to participate in the Gay Games.

But it costs money to be able to do this. This event is the start of a fundraising campaign that will end on New Year’s eve.

The Gay Games Scholarship Programs is a crucial part of the FGG’s worldwide outreach. It makes the Games accessible and inspires new leaders to take home the spirit of the Games to grow local LGBT sport and cultural groups. The goals of the Gay Games Scholarship Program are to:

• Increase participation in the Games by under-represented groups.
• Bring new participants into the Gay Games movement.
• Serve as a catalyst for building and strengthening LGBT sports and cultural organizing throughout the world.
• Provide a blueprint for developing and implementing a scholarship program for host organizations of future Gay Games.

Scholarships will be available for:
• Basic event registration fees (participatory athletic and cultural events).
• Travel costs to and from Cologne, Germany.
• Accommodations.
• A small daily allowance for the Games period (31 July to 7 August 2010).

Hope to see you at Mary’s Attic.

IGBO memorial page

Federation of Gay Games member organization IGBO (International Gay Bowling Organization) has created a "memorial" page on Facebook. Share your memories of fellow IGBO bowler HERE.

Flashback

Delegates to the FGG Annual Meeting can't resist the temptation to test the NetCologne stadium track at Sportpark Muengersdorf.

Games Cologne North American tours winding up

West Coast team in Palm Springs


The two Gay Games tours of North America are coming to an end. Tonight in San Diego and Dallas, the two Games Cologne teams will be meeting with athletes, artists, fans and partners.

DALLAS
Information & Registration Discount Event
TONIGHT - Monday, November 9, 2009 – 6 to 10 pm
Woody’s, 4011 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas

SAN DIEGO
Information & Registration Discount Event
TONIGHT - Monday, November 9, 2009 – 9 pm to 11 pm
Flicks, 1017 University Avenue, San Diego

San Diego is the last event on the west coast tour as that team heads back to Cologne, Germany, tomorrow. There is one more stop on the East/Midwest tour - Cleveland, Ohio, slated to host the 2014 Gay Games. Annette Wachter and Stephan Collet head to Cleveland tomorrow and will hold an event there on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 7 to 11 pm
The Tregoning Gallery
1300 West 78th St.
Cleveland, OH 44102

Please forward this to friends in the area and encourage them to join this Facebook Group for future information.

New FGG Development Officer named

The FGG is pleased to announce that Gilbert López, Jr. will be joining the board of directors as Officer for Development.

Gilbert is a native of Los Angeles where he continues to live. He has over 15 years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management, with expertise in operations, donor relations, marketing, public relations, event coordination, and strategic planning.

FGG mission statement

The board of directors of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is pleased to announce the new formulation of its mission statement adopted at its most recent meeting:

The Federation of Gay Games promotes sport and culture for all, primarily through the organisation of the Gay Games, the premier international and LGBT and gay-friendly sport and cultural festival held every four years under the guiding principles of "Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™".

Brian Sims profile

Friend of the FGG Brian Sims is profiled in the Daily Local:

"For me, this isn't about getting even," says Sims, 31, a Philadelphia lawyer and a former star football player at Downingtown High School and Bloomsburg University. "It isn't about getting back at anybody. It's not about capturing something that was stolen from me. I come at it because it's the right thing to do, it's going to happen, I'm on the right side of history, and there's momentum."

Sims is talking about the movement he's suddenly found himself square in the middle of: the crusade for gay equality and in particular the rights of gay athletes.

How he got there, almost a decade after putting on football pads for the last time, no longer matters. All that does is that he can offer guidance to a generation of student-athletes while inspiring men and women from another age by telling them a few simple facts about his own life:

He's gay.

When he played football in college, his teammates knew he was gay and didn't so much as raise an eyebrow.

He was as strong as three bulls, leading Bloomsburg to the Division II national championship game a few years after helping Downingtown win a state championship.

He has another fight left in him.

To read the entire profile in the Daily Local, click HERE.

11/11 Discount for Gay Games VIII: 11 euros off your registration!

November 11 is a public holiday in many countries, and as we commemorate Armistice/Rembembrance/Veterans Day, it will be especially easy to take advantage of the one-day-only "11/11" registration offer from Games Cologne.

A message from Games Cologne :

On 11/11 at 11:11 AM the famous Koelner Karneval begins in Cologne. Gay Games VIII invites you to register on this opening day of Carnival and save 11 euros.

Eleven is a magical number in the Rhineland. This is especially valid for Cologne. For the Cologner, the number 11 reminds them of the soaring towers of their beloved cathedral, the landmark of the city. Cologners love their carnival even more, which traditionally begins on 11/11 at 11:11 AM. The Koelner Karneval reflects tolerance, solidarity, and fun, values it shares with the Gay Games.

This is reason enough for the Cologne Gay Games to sweeten the registration offer, 261 days before the Opening Ceremony, with a „Kamellschen“ (a sweet made for the carnival), a sweet registration offer!

Currently the base registration fee is 125 euros [150 as of January 1]. Register on 11 November 2009 [for 24 hours, local time], and we will grant you a discount of 11 euros! Enter the discount code “111109” during your registration, in the “voucher code” field you will find on the payment page at www.games-cologne.com (make sure to click on the "Cash your voucher" button). After you have typed the discount code “111109,” the reduced registration fee of 114 euros will appear on your bill (plus your sports or culture fee).

We look forward to your registration! And we especially look forward to your participation at the VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010 beginning 31 July. On the program are 34 kinds of sport and 5 cultural events – there’s something for everyone. Additionally we’re planning an extensive social program. You can already book your tickets today for many attractions from our event series „Fans & Friends“.

By the way: You can find more information about the Cologner Carnival on our website: www.games-cologne.de/en/static/gay-cologne/carnival-a-fantastic-time
And: You can also celebrate the carnival with us during the Gay Games: www.games-cologne.de/en/events/events-2010

EGLSF press release on Arek Onyszko affair

Football player sacked due to homophobic statements

The European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF) made clear its support today for FC Midtjylland, the Danish Superliga Club, which earlier this week sacked goalkeeper Arek Onyszko following homophobic comments made in his autobiography. These comments include the statement "I hate gays, I really do. I think it’s f****** disgusting to hear them talk to each other as if they are girls. I can’t be in the same room as someone who’s gay. Look at them kissing each other – it’s sickening."

Co-President of the EGLSF Pepe Garcia-Vazquez says: “We welcome this move by FC Midtjylland to make a stand against such a public display of hatred for gay people by one of its players. The decision to sack Mr Onyszko sends out a powerful message by one of Denmark’s leading football clubs that homophobia in the game is totally unacceptable”

Mr Garcia-Vazquez continues: “Recent research in the UK published by the human rights organisation Stonewall clearly shows that the majority of fans find anti-gay abuse in the game unacceptable. Its good to see a professional club in Europe get behind the needs of its supporters and in such a public way.”

The EGLSF works as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network to challenge homophobia in football and to improve the experience of LGBT players and fans. Recent initiatives have included input to the Deutscher Fussball Bund’s (DFB) campaign to tackle homophobia amongst football supporters. This initiative saw flyers handed out to fans at a German national game in Hamburg last month and further copies of the flyer distributed to all professional football clubs in the Country.

UK Sailing Champions

An all gay crew of UK sailors from the Sailing and Cruising Association has won its class in the Junior Offshore Group series, which took place in the English Channel from April to September. Click here for full article.

With its crew of 10, the 38-foot vessel named 'Night Owl' finished first in the season’s 15 race offshore series. Commodore Reggie Blennerhassett from the S&CA added: “We’re really proud of Night Owl’s achievement. Competitive sailing is becoming more of a feature of our club..., and Night Owl’s victory will inspire more of us to start racing, especially with the Gay Games coming up in Cologne next year.”

A member of GLORY (Gay and Lesbian Organisation of Racing and Yachting), the Sailing and Cruising Association has nearly 400 members involved in sailing and power boating. For more information see gaysailing.org.uk.

Games Cologne reps in New York City

Cheerleaders were excited to learn that Games Cologne plans to add competitive cheer to the Gay Games VIII program.

Participants registering at the event benefited from a 10-euro discount on the base fee.

IGBO 2009 opens today: Get loose in the 'Cuse

FGG member IGBO (International Gay Bowling Organization) is holding its midyear tournament in Syracuse, New York from November 4-8. The tournament is also an opportunity for the IGBO board to hold a series of meetings.

From the IGBO 2009 website: More than anything, our unofficial motto is: "It's all about the bowlers!" We want to make your stay in Syracuse fun, memorable and truly rewarding - both on and off the lanes.

There's lots to see and do in Central New York, from wine-tasting tours and shopping to a trip to the Turning Stone Casino or a day trip to the Adirondacks.

The FGG wishes IGBO a great meeting, and a successful tournament, and looks forward to seeing as many of you as possible next year in Cologne!

"An Evening With Cologne" in San Francisco A Big Success

On 3 November, Team San Francisco and the FGG hosted a very successful community presentation in honor of the visit to town by Ingo and Jose from Games Cologne. This was the fourth stop on their whirlwind west coast tour, and well over 40 people turned out at the Magnet Health Center in the Castro. The group in attendance ranged from original board members from the first Gay Games in 1982 to people looking forward to attending their first Gay Games.

Ingo gave an exciting multi-media presentation, which was followed by a lively question and answer period. The questions ranged from the general (how do I get to Cologne from San Francisco?) to the very specific (how do I apply for hosted housing?). A number of handouts were available and several people used the on-site computers to immediately investigate the Games Cologne web site.

Ingo mentioned the special 10-euro discount for people who registered for Gay Games VIII before November 5, 2009 at 6pm PST. If the voucher code "SAN FRANCISCO" is entered on the payment screen during registration before this deadline, 10 euros will be deducted from the registration fees. This is a great deal that everyone in San Francisco should take advantage of. After the presentation, Ingo said "thanks to Tyler Cole, Team San Francisco, and especially Doug Litwin for the hospitality and support shown to Games Cologne. We hope to see many San Franciscans next year in Cologne!"

Following the Q&A session, a presentation was made from the Federation of Gay Games to four newly chosen Honorary Life Members (HLM). Existing HLM Gene Dermody made a heartwarming presentation to the other three San Francisco recipients: Shawn Kelly, Erich Richter, and Roger Brigham (Philadelphia's Adelina Santiago was also named an HLM this year). Another HLM, Derek Liecty, who is also the most recent winner of the Tom Waddell Award, honored the assembly with his presence.

We wish Ingo and Jose good luck as their trip continues to Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego.

Gay Games VIII: eastern US tour underway

Last Friday, the Games Cologne folks started their East Coast tour in Boston. Tonight they are in New York. On each stop they can get you registered (at a 10 Euro discount), answer questions, get you info on travel, lodging and your sport. If you are in one of the cities below, please make plans to join them.

New York
Monday, November 2 – 6 to 9 pm
Gym Sportsbar, 167 Eighth Avenue, New York
Hosted by: Team New York

Philadelphia
Tuesday, November 3 – 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Tavern on Camac, 243 So. Camac St., Philadelphia
Hosted by: Team Philadelphia

Washington DC
Thursday, November 5 – 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 “U” Street, NW, Washington DC
Hosted by: Team DC

Atlanta
Friday, November 6 – 6:00 to 9:00pm
MIXX Atlanta, 1492B Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta
Hosted by: Team Atlanta

Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Saturday, November 7 – Time & Location TBA
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Houston
Sunday, November 8 – Time & Location TBA
Houston, Texas

Dallas
Monday, November 9 – 6:00 to 10:00pm
Woody’s Bar and Grill, 4011 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas
Hosted by: Team Dallas

Cleveland
Tuesday & Wednesday, November 10 & 11 – 7:00 to 11:00pm
The Tregoning Gallery, 1300 West 78th Street, Cleveland
Hosted By: Team Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio (Site of 2014 Gay Games)

Accomodation and Housing in Cologne

For accomodation and Housing during GGVIII in Cologne, click here !

Thanks to GGVIII partners HRS - HOTEL RESERVATION SERVICE and the Cologne Tourism Board, you can book your accomodation right here.

For any questions about this service, contact Games Cologne.

Games Cologne Portland Promo

Team Oregon mixer

Empower Fitness is an “Official” gym of Team Oregon 2010!

They have amazing membership & training rates for Team Oregon 2010 members.

Empower Fitness is hosting a social event on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm for all Team Oregon 2010 members or persons interested in membership.