Maine college professor learns to skate late in life and earns Gay Games bronze medal

The Portland Press Herald profiles a college professor who took up figure skating late in life, and earned a bronze medal at Gay Games VII:

When Erica Rand hit her 40s, she decided to do something that would probably make most adults recoil in horror.

She learned how to figure skate.

And she found that she loved it.

Rand, a professor of art and visual culture and of women and gender studies at Bates College in Lewiston, did more than just learn a few tricks on the ice. She immersed herself in the world of showy little skirts and professional blade sharpeners. She competed in the Gay Games and at the U.S. Adult National Figure Skating Championships.

In her new book, "Red Nails, Black Skates: Gender, Cash, and Pleasure On and Off the Ice" (Duke University Press, $23.95), Rand explores in short essays themes such as gender issues in sports, the economics of skating competitions, and the need to make figure skating more inclusive. There's even a chapter explaining in detail the complicated scoring system used by figure skating judges. Rand, 53, lives in Portland and enjoys watching television and playing puzzle games in her free time. But mostly, you'll find her out on the ice.

Q: Why did you want to learn to figure skate? Are you one of those people who can't miss watching the skating competitions on TV?

A: I love watching skating competitions on TV. I skated a little bit as a kid. Really, it was partly about moving to Portland. I had an idea that I was going to keep going to the Y in Auburn, where I had a nice community of people I exercised with.

One day something just made me think, "I want a pair of skates." I had my old childhood pair of skates, and when I moved to Portland I finally threw them out. And I don't know why, but one day I just thought maybe I'll buy skates. And I went and bought skates at Play It Again Sports. I said "Where's a rink?" and they told me about the Portland Ice Arena, which is four blocks from where I live.

I went, I skated around, I loved it. I started taking these adult classes, and it was just grown-ups. It wasn't like you were trying to learn how to skate with little kids. It was just a great environment, and I got completely hooked.

Q: Have you won any competitions over the years?

A: No (laughing). I've racked up very few awards. I came in third out of four at the Gay Games, in my age group and level. That was in 2006. I'm not the best competitor. I wanted to compete in the Gay Games, and then I kept competing partly for research. Some people thrive on competition. I do not thrive on competition, but there are things I really enjoy about it. So this year I competed at the U.S. Figure Skating Adult National Competition.

Keep reading HERE.

24 June 2012 / "Claiming the Title" broadcast on Cleveland publc TV

Clevelanders: WVIZ will be rebroadcasting "Claiming the Title", a 30-minute documentary on the origins of the Gay Games, this Sunday at 11:30pm.


The court battle that resulted from the Gay Olympic [Games'] use of "Olympics" as part of its name is chronicled. Included: remarks from lawyer Mary Dunlap; Chai Feldblum, who clerked for Supreme Court justice Harry Blackmun during the case; federal judge Alex Kozinski; Supreme Court reporters Linda Greenhouse and Lisa Keen; Gay Games II executive director Shawn Kelly; and Olympic swimmer Susan McGreivy.

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This award-winning 2009 film, Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial tells the story of the San Francisco athletic group that in 1982 tried to hold a "Gay Olympics," prompting a battle at the nation's highest court and a challenge over the place of gays and lesbians in American society. The case was lifted into the news again recently and linked to the same-sex marriage fight following a surprising coincidence: the attorney representing the U.S. Olympic Committee in their suit to stop the "Gay Olympics" was Vaughn Walker, who decades later was the federal judge chosen to preside over the Proposition 8 marriage trial.

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We also recall the publication of Morehead, a recent novel with a chapter presenting a dramatized version of the legal proceedings:


From Jeffrey Hickey, author of Morehead:

One day a few years ago, while our twin 21-year-

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The chapter that deals with the First Gay Games is the longest in the book and is the pivotal chapter, for me, in telling the story. I needed an event that was culturally and sociologically significant, while also being mostly regional. The Gay Games were almost serendipitous for this text. It’s the only chapter where Dave hardly makes an appearance, though he wrote the text. I spent a couple of weeks in the history section of the main SF library and had the entire staff pulling out hundreds of pages of documents, letters, legal briefs, and more. I tried to represent a variety of viewpoints, from San Francisco Arts and Athletics, the US Olympic committee, an alleged religious leader, sociological, personal, entertainment, and more. These weeks of research were also pragmatic for me, because they gave me a chance to rest my wrists and arms from furious typing. Once I sorted through the information, I was able to create the “Group Discussion” project. And once I realized I could do a faux Howard Cosell voice, I had the instrument I needed to write the piece.

Novel featuring Gay Games I now available in print and audiobook

From Jeffrey Hickey, author of Morehead:

One day a few years ago, while our twin 21-year-old sons were both at home and testosterone was running rampant in the house, I was inspired to write a story about my first day in college at SF State. By the time I finished that piece, about eight hours later, I knew I was writing a new novel. Unlike other books I’ve written, this came out in a rush. The entire process, start to finish, with three drafts and two professional edits, took seven months.

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Morehead is the first person account of Dave Morehead, attending college and living (mostly) in San Francisco from 1978-1986. It is the story of a straight young man living in an increasingly gay city, at the height of the sexual revolution.

The novel was written for two reasons: To write a story that hopefully helps straight people get a grip on their homophobia. And—to finally honor the memories of all the gay friends I had from that era that died. I realized I’d never properly grieved for them. They just sort of disappeared at a certain point, and frankly, so did I. As for helping other straights, I know to persuade an audience that is hostile to your point of view; you must do so using their own language. I wanted Dave’s growth to be slow and believable, so you could see it through both his actions, and the way he wrote. Critically, for the persuasion to be most effective, Dave had to remain adamantly straight.

The chapter that deals with the First Gay Games is the longest in the book and is the pivotal chapter, for me, in telling the story. I needed an event that was culturally and sociologically significant, while also being mostly regional. The Gay Games were almost serendipitous for this text. It’s the only chapter where Dave hardly makes an appearance, though he wrote the text. I spent a couple of weeks in the history section of the main SF library and had the entire staff pulling out hundreds of pages of documents, letters, legal briefs, and more. I tried to represent a variety of viewpoints, from San Francisco Arts and Athletics, the US Olympic committee, an alleged religious leader, sociological, personal, entertainment, and more. These weeks of research were also pragmatic for me, because they gave me a chance to rest my wrists and arms from furious typing. Once I sorted through the information, I was able to create the “Group Discussion” project. And once I realized I could do a faux Howard Cosell voice, I had the instrument I needed to write the piece.

When the text was finished, I contacted my friend, Lauren Pizzi, to help me with the audio book and live shows. She insisted I get a younger man to play Dave, even though she knew how much I wanted to read it myself. She was right. I needed a young actor, closer in age to Dave, and talented enough to tap into the semi heroic dumb shit male I created. So she recommended Joseph Rende, and he was a perfect fit. Lauren played almost all the women, and I play everyone else. We recorded the audio book, and then rehearsed for three live shows to be filmed in HD. One was at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes. The other two (and the sight for the video you saw) were at the Climate Theater in SF. My wife Karen (who works at Pixar) got one of her co-workers to help with the filming, and then Karen edited them. We’ve got another 90 minutes to release when the book comes out, and then another hour to release incrementally through the remainder of this year. I’ve given greater than 900 Readers Theater performances for children, families and now adults over the years. I love to read aloud.

A love-letter to Cleveland from celebrity restaurateur Michael Symon

From a "love letter" to his hometown from noted Cleveland restaurateur Michael Symon:



It wasn't until I left you that I realized how amazing you are and all the great treasures you possessed. Whether it was the old world headcheese at The Sausage Shoppe, amazing pierogies at Sokolowskis or the perfect steak and steam at the Shvitz, you were --history and culture aside -- loaded with old-world culinary traditions that most cities could only imagine. It was not long after this that I knew our relationship would be one that would last forever.

I met my wife under your watchful eye, opened restaurants in neighborhoods that you tried to forget about and stayed around to watch you grow again. I observed with joy as that you opened your arms too new beginnings like the unbelievable Rock Hall, the dozens of green markets and the chef-driven restaurants that can now stand up to any city's eateries.

Ben Cohen and Dónal Og Cusack Stand Up!

Ben Cohen and out Irish hurler Donal Og Cusack photo shoot and mini-interview.

If your beloved will accept a printout... you can still do your Valentine's Day shopping via the FGG!

If you've forgotten to get a gift for your favorite guy or gal, you can always order now and slip a printout in your Valentine's Day card! It's not very romantic, but it's better than those same-old roses...

Just use the search boxes below to purchase anything on Amazon in the US, Canada, the UK, France or Germany, and you'll also support the Gay Games!







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Listen to Jack Mackenroth "Poz I Am" interview with Gay Games Ambassador Greg Louganis

From the radio program Poz I Am on BlogTalkRadio:

This Sunday February 5th at 9pm EST our friend Jack Mackenroth spoke with Olympic Gold Medalist and Gay Games Ambassador Greg Louganis. Openly gay and HIV-positive Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis wants to show off his moves on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ next season. Louganis fans have created a Facebook campaign to ABC to extend an invitation to Louganis, and the campaign is getting some attention.

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Listen to internet radio with POZIAM RADIO on Blog Talk Radio

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Greg is a five time World Champion and holds 47 National Championship titles. At the Pan Am Games, he earned six Gold Medals, and in 1985, he was awarded the Sullivan Award as the “Nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete.”However, what most people remember about Greg is that he went on to win Olympic Gold at the 1988 Games despite striking the back of his head on the springboard during the preliminaries. He attempted a reverse 2½ somersault pike in the ninth round of the prelims, and he hit his head on the board and fell into the water. Thirty-five minutes later, after receiving stitches to his scalp wound, he resumed diving. The following day, he hit all 11 dives and easily won the Olympic Gold Medal. After he tested positive for HIV in 1988,he recounted his story in a best-selling book Breaking the Surface. The book spent five weeks at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. His story was also documented in the 1996 Showtime movie Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story with Mario Lopez playing the lead and Louganis narrating.

Greg has worn many hats, Actor, Dancer, Olympian, Diver, Dog Trainer, Speaker, AIDS Activist, Equality and Diversity Activist, and yes he would love to be on Dancing With The Stars in honor of his Mom’s memory, Frances Louganis, “My Mom would have loved to see me on that show” says Greg.

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Billy Bean responds to the question: Will male player on major sports team ever come out in U.S.?

Greg Hernandez interviews Gay Games Ambassador Billy Bean for GayStarNews.com:

Will male player on major sports team ever come out in U.S.?

Retired gay Major League Baseball star Billy Bean says 'It's going to take maybe just one special guy who can really move that ball forward'
30 December 2011 | By Greg Hernandez

As 2011 draws to a close, the major U.S. professional sports of football, basketball and baseball still have never had an active male player declare that they are gay. There are still only handful who have even done so in retirement. Among them is retired baseball pro Billy Bean who played for San Diego Padres, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Dodgers during the 90s and came out publicly in the 2003 memoir Going The Other Way.

'I still feel that a lot of players are afraid to put themselves at the center of a storm,' Bean tells Gay Star News. 'Even they're comfortable with themselves and think half of their team would be fine, it's usually one of two of the guys who's bad and there's that fear there. Or maybe it's the front office and the team doesn't want a distraction.'

Bean, now 47, paid a place for staying in the closet. When he was playing for the San Diego Padres, his lover died unexpectedly. He could not mourn him for fear of being outed and it took an emotional toll that resulted in his baseball career ending prematurely after 12 years in the major leagues.

Keep reading HERE.

amazon.com	amazon.ca	amazon.co.uk	amazon.fr	amazon.de

Buy a best-selling toy or game here and support the Gay Games!

It's not too late to do you holiday shopping and support the Gay Games! Click on the links below to make your purchase, and a small commission goes to the FGG.


Or use the search boxes below to purchase anything on Amazon in the US, Canada, the UK, France or Germany, and you'll also support the Gay Games!


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Holiday wishes from Greater Cleveland's Oberlin College

We've posted about Oberlin College before (see our posts HERE), one of the United States' top liberal arts colleges and a pioneer in social justice. Oberlin is a very pretty town, and Oberlin College a very pretty campus full of fun-loving students, who we can see in this special holiday video of "Winter Wonderdland" (you'll note a famous alumnus performing, Adrian Fenty, former mayor of Washington):


If you want other renditions of "Winter Wonderland", you'll find them at Amazon.com HERE.
The most classic, of course, is by Bing Crosby:

"A Christmas Story" house now a Cleveland attraction

A Christmas Story didn't start out as a beloved holiday institution: In fact, upon its release in 1983, the film was met with a pretty resounding "meh." Directed by Bob Clark, whose previous film was the sex comedy Porky's, the movie did okay at the box office and okay with critics. No one had any idea that it would someday become the subject of 24-hour cable-TV marathons, big-money merchandising, and its own house-museum.

Buy a best-selling food gift and support the Gay Games!

It's not too late to do you holiday shopping and support the Gay Games! Click on the links below to make your purchase, and a small commission goes to the FGG.


Or use the search boxes below to purchase anything on Amazon in the US, Canada, the UK, France or Germany, and you'll also support the Gay Games!


USA: Start your Amazon.com search using the search engine below,
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Buy a best-selling DVD here and support the Gay Games!

It's not too late to do you holiday shopping and support the Gay Games! Click on the links below to make your purchase, and a small commission goes to the FGG.


Or use the search boxes below to purchase anything on Amazon in the US, Canada, the UK, France or Germany, and you'll also support the Gay Games!


USA: Start your Amazon.com search using the search engine below,
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CANADA: Start your Amazon.ca search using the search engine below,
or visit our Amazon.ca shop HERE.



UK: Start your seach on Amazon.co.uk using the search engine below,
or visit our Amazon.co.uk shop HERE.



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Buy a best-selling Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk book here and support the Gay Games

It's not too late to do you holiday shopping and support the Gay Games! Click on the links below to make your purchase, and a small commission goes to the FGG.













Amazon.com (US)

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Or use the search boxes below to purchase anything on Amazon in the US, Canada, the UK, France or Germany, and you'll also support the Gay Games!


USA: Start your Amazon.com search using the search engine below, or visit our Amazon.com shop HERE.

CANADA: Start your Amazon.ca search using the search engine below, or visit our Amazon.ca shop HERE.

UK: Start your seach on Amazon.co.uk using the search engine below, or visit our Amazon.co.uk shop HERE.

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