Flashback to 2007: Chicago photographer John Gress's Gay Games VII coverage earns a top spot in sport photojournalism award

Chicago-based photographer John Gress has spent his career with one foot in two different realms of photography: commercial and editorial. His unique resume has allowed him to develop a dynamic style that produces striking images whether they are produced in the real world or on set.

Gress' work as a photojournalist regularly appears on the Reuters news wire and in major publications around the world, including Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Time, The New York Times, The Times of London, The Washington Post, and Sports Illustrated. His assignments have included the 2010 Stanley Cup, the 2008 election of President Barack Obama, the 2007 Southern California wildfires, the 2006 Super Bowl, and the 2005 World Series. In 2007, he was named a finalist for the National Press Photographers Association's The Best of Photojournalism Sports Photojournalist of the Year competition.

Among the work earning him this title were photos from 2006's Gay Games VII in Chicago. Here are a few of those photos:

SPORTS PICTURE SERIES - GAY GAMES VII - Will Cater of New York and Arik Pou of The Philippines embrace between Wrestling matches during Gay Games VII in Evanston, Illinois, July 17, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

Athletes ride their bikes in the Triathlon during Gay Games VII in Chicago, July 16, 2006.


SPORTS PICTURE SERIES - GAY GAMES VII - Michel Jacq-Hergoualdh 63 of Paris, France, keeps an eye on pre-judging for Master Physique competition during Gay Games VII in Evanston, Illinois, July 18, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

Gay Games VIII in Project Q Atlanta: Jeremy Koziol blocks the score

We missed this series from Project Q Atlanta when it first appeared, but are pleased to share these stories of Atlantans in Cologne for Gay Games VIII:

Among the more than 9,000 LGBT athletes and artists competing in the Gay Games this week in Cologne are about two-dozen Atlantans, including water polo player S. Jeremy Koziol.

The 33-year-old plays with the Hotlanta Soccer Association and is on the roster of the Atlanta Rainbow Trout and its water polo team. We caught up with Koziol (photo) before he left for the Gay Games to discuss gay jocks and his plans to play goalie for the Trout’s water polo squad.

Project Q Atlanta: What’s the most challenging part of your sport?
Koziol: For any sport, the biggest challenge is staying focused for the entire length of the game/match/routine. The physical aspect can be trained for and prepared for, but with the mental aspect, the focus is so more complicated.

Keep reading HERE.

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.

Chris Morgan's Gay Games VII diary: 6 July 2006

Gay Games Ambassador Chris Morgan shared his experience at Gay Games VII in Chicago in 2006.

Thursday 6th to Thursday 13th July, Acclimatising:

I've already been in Chicago for a whole week, acclimatising and adjusting my body clock. Training is going well. Quad's gym in Boys Town is an amazing facility, with a great atmosphere and equipment for bodybuilders and power lifters.

I'm already calling upon valuable experience gained at the World Championships in Atlanta in 2004, and so far things are looking good. My body clock has turned around nicely and my energy levels are highly reasonable.

Earlier in the week... I attended the offices of Chicago 2006 and witnessed first hand the commitment of the Gay Games staff and volunteers. The whole place was buzzing with excitement, everyone is working extremely hard to deliver the Games on time.

To see these wheels in motion is truly ... inspirational.

Profile of Cyd Ziegler Jr for Gay Games VII

We know Cyd Ziegler from Outsports, but he's also a veteran Gay Games athlete. Here's a pre-Gay Games VII profile from NewNowNext:


The Gay Games 2006 in Chicago kick off on July 15th. And I’m stretching already! This summer's jock-tastic confab is going to drawing thousands of athletes, artists, partygoers and plain old sports fans to the Windy City for a week-long blast of activities. In addition to some classic sporting events (ya know—basketball, softball, track and field, soccer, volleyball) there are plenty of not-so-traditional events (DanceSport, darts, sailing), and lots of cultural activities (cheer teams, color guards, bands, choral concerts) and more, more, more to wow visitors.

Starting today, every Thursday here at the NewNowNext blog I’m going to give you a profile of an athlete heading to this year’s Gay Games, as a way to give you some personal flavor of what these events are going to be.


Cyd Zeigler: Sports Dude.

First up is NYC’s own Cyd Zeigler (above), perhaps one of gaydom’s most outspoken sports afficianados. Zeigler runs OutSports.com, an online super-bowl of info and news tailor-made for the LGBT sports fan. Cyd’s heading to Chicago to participate sportily, but he also plans to whoop it up all over, absorbing the full flavor of festivities.

But why don’t I let him tell you about it…


So, Cyd... What sport will you be competing in during the Gay Games?
Football. A friend wants me to run the 4 x 400 relay in track too, so I may find my way to the track on Friday.

How did you get started playing football? And how long have you been playing?
Well, oddly enough, I only starting playing football after I came out. I met a great group of friends with the L.A. Motion flag football group in 1996 and the rest is history.


Keep reading HERE.

RainbOreo leads to new calls for boycott of brand and owner Kraft

Oreo has put out this photo of a rainbow-colored Oreo in honor of Pride Month, and of course this has lead to nutty calls to boycott the brand.

This isn't a first for brand-owner Kraft Foods, a sponsor of Gay Games VII, which led to calls for... you got it... a boycott seven years ago this month. Kraft's still going strong. Jerry Falwell... not so much.

A 2010 profile of Rob Smitherman, sports director for Gay Games 9

Back in 2012, the Windy City Times did a great profile of Rob Smitherman, a sports manager for Gay Games VII in Chicago and for Gay Games VIII in Cologne. We're very happy that Rob is now the sports director for Gay Games 9, and particularly liked this quote in the 2010 article:

In the Gay Games and through gay sports in general, I found a more complete life. I hope that the Gay Games, and all the leagues and tournaments throughout the world can offer that to others. In many places we have 'won.' [In] the big cities of North America and western Europe we are at least tolerated if not accepted. But we have people coming from eastern Europe who cannot use their real names because they would face discrimination at home. We have countries of the world who consider being gay a criminal act punished by imprisonment or death. We have people in smaller towns in the U.S., Canada, Australia and western Europe who have never heard of the Gay Games and think they are alone in loving sports and athletics, and just happen to be gay. And we still have no out gay man, and very few open lesbians, playing in a major team sport throughout the world. Until we have equality throughout the world we need to offer gay sports, especially the Gay Games, to show that we are here, and we deserve to be treated fairly and without discrimination.

Read in full HERE.

A look back at Gay Games VII "Sports Equality Day" workshops

Chicago 2006 Gay Games Announces “Sports Equality Day” – 14 July 2006

CHICAGO, IL –

Chicago, IL - Chicago Games, Inc (CGI), the host organization of Gay Games VII, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), and the Gay and Lesbian Athletic Foundation (GLAF) announced today a partnership to organize a series of workshops and educational seminars on issues of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people in sports. The workshops will be held in conjunction with the 2006 Gay Games that takes place in Chicago from 15-22 July.

With an overall title "Sports Equality Day," the workshops will focus primarily on aspects of sports for younger and collegiate LGBT athletes, and the state of the LGBT sports movement in areas of the world with relatively large potential for development.

"GLAF is honored to be selected as a preferred partner organization of the FGG and the upcoming Chicago Gay Games 2006,” said O. Mac Chinsomboon, Executive Director of GLAF. “From our inception, the FGG has supported GLAF in our mission to create equality on the playing field. The FGG has been a sponsor of past GLAF forums, where intellectual discussion, debate and education have provided valuable networking opportunities among athletes in Olympic, professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, and high school athletics communities."

In 2003 and 2004, GLAF organized two very successful conferences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology about the issues of gays and lesbians in sports, and FGG officials said working with GLAF representatives again for 2006 will advance these issues further.

"This kind of partnership between a Gay Games host and another organization like GLAF is precisely what the FGG advocates in our position paper ‘The Image of the Gay Games’ that we published in 2003," said Roberto Mantaci, co-president of the FGG. "There are a lot of existing groups like GLAF that can play a valuable role in the success of the Gay Games and this is an effective way for them to do so in Chicago."

"With thousands of LGBT athletes as well as other individuals interested in the LGBT sports movement converging in Chicago during the week of the Gay Games, CGI is pleased to provide the opportunity for such a forum," said Suzi Arnold, co-chair of CGI. "We will also add new features to the Gay Games VII on-line registration system to include registration for the workshops."

CGI is in close partnership with several area universities offering logistical support through use of their facilities and assistance tapping into the many local youth and collegiate LGBT programs. These universities are expected to play a key support role for the "Sports Equality Day" workshops.

"The Gay Games started the LGBT sports movement, which is now a topic of research of many scholars working in the fields of sociology, philosophy and other human sciences," said Philippe Liotard, associate professor at the University of Lyon, France. Mr. Liotard is one of several researchers and academicians who will participate on the steering committee for the workshops. He said, "I look forward to being in Chicago during the week of the Gay Games to deepen my research and have the opportunity to meet with other colleagues to discuss our work in similar areas."

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Program

GLAF/FGG/Chicago has established a Chicago GLAF Steering Committee that has been designated to organize a series of workshops and educational seminars on issues of gays, lesbians, bisexual and trangender people in sports, to be held in conjunction with the 2006 Gay Games that takes place in Chicago from 15-22 July. These educational seminars and workshops will take place on a day dubbed “Sports Equality Day”, Friday, July 14 2006, a day prior to opening ceremonies.

The seminars will focus primarily on aspects of sports for younger and collegiate LGBT athletes and the state of the LGBT sports movement in areas of the world with relatively large potential for development.

“GLAF is honored to be selected as a preferred partner organization of the FGG and upcoming Chicago Gay Games 2006”, said O. Mac Chinsomboon, Executive Director of GLAF. “From our inception, the FGG has supported GLAF on our mission to create equality on the playing field, and as a sponsor of GLAF forums for intellectual discussion, debate, education, and networking among athletes in Olympic, professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, and high school athletics communities.”

PROGRAMMING

10:30am Registration

10:45am - 12 noon
Youth sports: Not what your parents were thinking of, or is it?

Panelists: Bridget White, Head Volleyball Coach, Kean University, Dave Lohse, Associate Athletic Communications Director, University of North Carolina

This workshop will explore today's meaning of "Sport" and "LGBT Sport." Ever since the founding of the Gay Games, there are now several generations of participants at the games. There exist many leagues that have traditionally been defined as gay but also have a growing number of non-gay players. These are friends of the LGBT people, friends of friends, athletes that like to compete in a non-discriminating environment free of any bias, and just people looking for good old-fashioned competition. At the high school and collegiate levels, the needs of our youth are different, though there are still many challenges. Are the needs of the today's young athletes the same as those for that have been involved with the initial movement? This panel will discuss the new reality as it exists for all of us in sport. We'll explore several generations including high school, Collegiate, Olympic, professional, and recreational sport genres.

We'll also touch upon questions such as: Does sport build character? As a young athlete that's LGBT, how do I compete? How can a youth sport coach become a true mentor? How can my son and daughter get the most out of their sport experience? Can sport be created in a manner that promotes positive youth development? What about human resources for professional sports leagues -- do they handle it at all? Come network and share ideas with the leading sport psychology and youth development experts in the world. Whether you're a parent, student, sport psychologist, educator, coach, researcher, community leader, or youth development specialist, you will find plenty of valuable information, while enjoying interactive presentations.


12:30pm-1pm
Keynote/Q&A with Esera Tuaolo

Born of Samoan descent in Hawaii, Tuaolo was quick, 280-pound (127-kilo) defensive tackle, playing for nine years in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. He played in the Super Bowl in 1998. He retired from the NFL in 1999 and came out in late 2002, bcoming a prominent spokesperson for numerous LGBT causes. In 2003 he spoke to nearly 200 NFL employees in New York on the topic of being a gay man in sports. Esera was the first player to perform the national anthem at a nationally televised football game, and he released a CD, First Christmas, in 2004. He is a Gay Games ambassador and he will sing at the Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field.

1pm-1:30pm
Keynote/QA with Leigh-Ann Nadoo

Naidoo is the first member of the Gay Games Ambassador program from Africa. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa, after a short time living in Chicago with her partner. In 2004 she was a member of the first African team to compete in beach volleyball at the Olympic Games. Her father, Derrick, was president of South Africa's first non-racial volleyball organization. Before beach volleyball, she competed in athletics (javelin, shot put and discus), tennis, soccer and softball.

1:45pm- 3:00pm
Where in the World is Sport?


In many places around the world, the LGBT movement (perceived or otherwise) is light years ahead of other countries. There's pro-LGBT in many western European countries and in the United States, yet often times there's still a backlash in very specific communities in these countries. Is the United States as progressive as many think? What about other parts of the world like Africa or South America, and elsewhere? Is the LGBT sports movement in outreach countries just "some years behind"? Can LGBT sport movement in these countries just look at the example of North American and European groups? Or is it the context so different that adjustments in the strategy of development of LGBT sports are necessary? How can we best foster the development of LGBT sport in this countries? Money or knowledge and expertise? And if money, is the allocation of scholarships to individuals to help them participate in a Gay Games (or other event) the best way to help? Or should this money be rather donated to local groups to realize local projects?

3:15pm-4:30pm
It Takes A Team! Educational Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Sport
Lindsey Cardin, Women in Sports Foundation

The Women's Sports Foundation is committed to creating an athletic climate that is respectful and safe for all people and eliminating barriers to all girls being active and healthy. It Takes A Team! is an education project focused on eliminating homophobia as a barrier to all women and men participating in sport. Lindsey Cardin is the Project Coordinator at the Women's Sports Foundation. She will go through a training session discussing topics such as teammates dating, negative recruiting, LGBT athletes and coaches in the locker room, and sexual harassment.

Gay Games dancers compete in "Britain's Got Talent"

Soren and Bradley Stauffer-Kruse have competed in many ESSDA and NASSPDA same-sex DanceSport competitions and now perform as show dancers. They are performing on this season's edition of "Britain's Got Talent".


Listen to an interview on the BBC HERE.


NewNowNext profiled the couple before Gay Games VII:

The Gay Games , which kick off in Chicago next month on July 15th aren’t only for sporty folks participating in those events one traditionally thinks of—like basketball, soccer, softball, track and field… There for all manner of skilled and talented artists. Take, for example Soren Kruse & Bradley Stauffer who are the U.K. Ballroom champs and will be traveling from London to go for the gay DanceSport/Ballroom Dancing gold in the Windy City. This smart and charming pair (They’re a couple! Yay!) are the real deal. They’ve been dancing for seven years, they compete in tournaments all over the planet, and back in their current homeland of England, they were the subject of a British TV documentary about the same-sex ballroom circuit. And when they planned their wedding last December it was written up in the London newspaper, The Guardian . Fancy!

Kruse is from Germany, Stauffer is American, and they live in London, so the two are a perfect representation of the global appeal of the Gay Games. And they’re perhaps just about the most debonaire participants traveling to the Games. So, I quizzed them about their big trip ahead (And yes, the fabulous third person tone they responded in is their own. Fierce!). And they used terms like “versatile” and “back-lead” and “top lines.” Oh my…

Keep reading HERE.

Gay Games medal winner stars in web series

Gay Games VII, photo Marc Naimark

Queer Me Up interviews Jeffrey Olson, who took a gold medal in bodybuilding at Gay Games VII in Chicago, and who was already looking to move from his work as a physician to acting:

To celebrate the season premiere of Old Dogs & New Tricks, Queer Me Up has an exclusive interview with multifaceted and sexy actor Jeffrey Patrick Olson.

Jeffrey Patrick Olson (‘Muscles’ Carter) is proud to parade his pectorals as Al “Muscles” Carter in Old Dogs & New Tricks!! Might as well, since winning the Gold medal for Physique at the 2006 Gay Games competition. [...]

In the new comedic web series Jeffrey Patrick Olson plays Al ‘Muscles’ Carter: A personal trainer at a WeHo gym, Muscles has the body of a porn star and the mindset of a 16 year old girl — he’s not putting out til he meets his Mr. Right!

[...]

Do you get to put your own take on your character?

Of course! Thanks to Leon we were given a luxurious amount of time to develop and flesh out our characters including table reads with the entire cast and valuable feedback from the director during the audition process. With Muscles, an easy potential trap is to play dumb – the stereotypical muscle-head. Thanks to working on my own backstory, reading subsequent episodes, and finding similar qualities and passions with which I could identify… I discover Muscles’ power beyond his innocence, even a technique of survival if you will – in West Hollywood.

How many “muscles” did you have to build in order to play a personal trainer?

Speaking of development! Well, I did bulk up a bit for the callbacks but luckily I am a mesomorph so I’ve been on a maintenance phase since then. Despite a medical degree, I learned a ton 5 years ago when I competed in Physique at Gay Games Chicago. I’ve had trainers throughout the years, but for this – I trained heavily for a year with my friend and fellow actor John Turk and actually took first place!

I was also blessed to have been photographed by some of the most noted physique photographers thanks to the competition – including Victor Skrebneski and [Gay Games Ambassador] Tom Bianchi. But, I’ll have to thank genetics mostly (and cycling as a teen) for the big gams.

Keep reading HERE.

Gay Games legal cousel receives top honors for LGBT equality

We're very pleased to share this news from Sidley Austin, the law firm that provide pro bono services to Chicago Games Inc., the host of Gay Games VII in 2006.

NEW YORK, Dec 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sidley Austin LLP received a 'perfect' 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign's 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) report. The CEI evaluates companies based on their policies and programs which provide parity and support for their LGBT employees. The firm was also named to the Human Rights Campaign's annual list of Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality," a distinction that is awarded to businesses that scored 100% on the CEI report. Ratings are based on factors like non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees. Sidley has received 'perfect' 100 scores on each report since 2008.

"Sidley is fully committed to growing and retaining a diverse workforce," said Thomas A. Cole, chair of Sidley's Executive Committee. "Historically, we have taken major steps to foster an inclusive culture through implementation of key firmwide policies and initiatives affecting our LGBT lawyers and communities. We are honored to be recognized by HRC over the past five years for our work in this area."

Sidley's Chief Diversity Officer, Sally Olson, continued, "Sidley has been one of the most prominent and progressive proponents of law firm diversity, which is one of the main reasons I was attracted to the firm. Members of our LGBT communities currently practice in each of the firm's domestic offices, serve on the Diversity Committee and other firm committees and are actively involved in national and local LGBT organizations. We will continue to cultivate a work environment that supports diversity and inclusion throughout our firm."

Sidley was named to Equality Illinois' 2010 list of the ten most "LGBT-friendly" law firms doing business in Illinois, in recognition of the firm's achievements toward LGBT workplace equality. The firm has been a national sponsor of the Lambda Legal Defense Fund, and participates each year in the Lavender Law Career Fair. In addition, Sidley's pro bono commitment included bidding on and being awarded all of the outside counsel work for Gay Games VII, held in Chicago in the summer of 2006.

To learn more about Sidley's diversity initiatives, visit http://www.sidley.com/ourfirm/diversity/ .

Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's premier full-service law firms, with approximately 1700 lawyers practicing in 17 U.S. and international cities, including Beijing, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. Repeating its performance in the inaugural 2010 survey, Sidley received the most first-tier national rankings of any U.S. law firm in the 2011/12 U.S.News -- Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" survey. Sidley was also named the U.S.News -- Best Lawyers "Law Firm of the Year" in both Corporate Law and Securities Regulation in the 2011/12 survey (the first year of such designations). BTI, a Boston-based research and consulting firm, has named Sidley as one of only three firms to have been in the top ten of the BTI Client Service rankings every year since the inception of those rankings in 2001, and as number one in three of those years.

For purposes of the New York State Bar rules, this press release may be considered Attorney Advertising and the headquarters of the firm are Sidley Austin LLP 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212.839.5300 and Sidley Austin LLP One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.853.7000. Prior results described herein do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Meet Leslie Becker, the 1500th fan of our Facebook page!

New Yorker Leslie Becker is our 1500th fan on Facebook (facebook.com/federationofgaygames). We are delighted to share a brief profile of Leslie, a Gay Games veteran.

I'm a musician with the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps, and as part of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, and Gay Games in Cleveland will mark my fourth games as a member of Team Band -- New York, Chicago and Cologne being the first three. I was the co-coordinator of Team Band's involvement at Gay Games VIII in Cologne, and I will again be on the leadership team for Gay Games 9 in Cleveland when Team Band will bring together 250 musicians from around the world to perform not only in the Cultural Festival, but as a part of Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The world is a better place thanks to Dr. Tom Waddell and the Gay Games and Cultural Festival. I took the flame and passed it on -- and I believe that those who come after me will do the same!

We'll be sending Leslie a copy of Take the Flame to thank her for her contributions to the Gay Games movement. You too can "like" our page. Just click HERE.

A message from Team Chicago on the death of Maggie Daley

The FGG joins member organization Team Chicago in their message on the death of Maggie Daley, wife of Mayor Richard M. Daley:


We wish the best and loving memories to Richard M. and family for their loss this week of First Lady Maggie Daley.

Their love for people, citizen and sports were instrumental in Chicago having secured the winning bid and successful and un-precedented execution of the 2006 Gay Games VIII "Where the World Meets" here in Chicago within 2 years time.

We are truly blessed to have their support of the LGBT community for so many years!

News from Chicago: Belated decision in Gay Games VII case, Tom Waddell Award winner at library event, 70-year-old marathon runner

A verdict on the appeal of a case concerning Gay Games VII in Chicago 2006 has finally been announced, in favor of the defendants, the city of Chicago et al. The plaintiffs were "Christians" who used various Gay Games events to harrass participants and spectators. Read it HERE.

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Brent Nicholson Earle, winner of the 2010 Tom Waddell Award, was the keynote speaker at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Gerber-Hart Library. Read about it HERE.

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Ross Forman reports on a Gay Games medal winner who will be competing in this weekend's Chicago Marathon in the 70-74-year-old category. Read it HERE.

Gay Games VIII Gala Concert: "The Voice Inside"

Gala concert- highlight of the Gay Games Cologne

The great gala concert of the VIII. Gay Games Cologne 2010 attracted on Thursday evening (5 August) more than 800 people into the university of music and dance in Cologne.

Together with hundreds of musicians and singers the enthusiastic audience turned into an impressive scenery at this cultural highlight of the Gay Games Cologne.

A delegation of the “Rosa Funken”, who were already known to the international guests from the Village at the Neumarkt, opened the concert as flight attendants by introducing the audience to the “security procedures”. The atmosphere was thrilled by the professional performance from “Cheers San Francisco”, the gold-medal winners of the Gay Games Cheerleading Competition.

Under direction from Sten Kuth, Malte Fuhrer and humorous Helena Marion Scholz presented a wonderful program, that could be described best as “Cologne meets America”.

“Stimmfusion Köln”, a joint venture from the nine gay- lesbian choirs in Cologne with more than 100 voices, started with “Colonia Chorale”, a newly texted “Candide” from Leonhard Bernstein, arranged by Steve Nobles.

Nobles did arranged as well to an extended part the coordination of the international musicians. Followed by the Beach Boys “Good Vibrations”, as well as by “Junimond” from Rio-Reiser; and a German text about the Gay Games 2010 was set to the music of “Rum and Coca Cola”.

The specifically for the Gay Games Cologne set orchestra with musicians from the Rainbow Symphony orchestras in Paris and Cologne started their presentation with “Moon River” from Henry Mancinis. The Festival Choir, initiated for the Gay Games as well, sang the “prisoners choir” from Verdis “Nabucco”. His way right through ear and heart made “Heimweh noh Kölle”, a cologne classic from Ostermann; and the title “something inside so strong”.

Flashback to Gay Games VII: Opening ceremony at Soldier Field

Five years ago this month Gay Games VII took place in Chicago. We've just discovered this slide show of photos from opening ceremony. The person who posted this video wrote:

2006 Gay Games Opening Ceremonies, Soldier Field, Chicago. I was in the stands and took a bunch of photographs. I then assembled them as a little slide show accompanied by two of the songs that were performed during the ceremony. These are the studio recordings, not the live performances, but both of the original artists, Andy Bell and Heather Small performed these songs at the event. Hope it brings back some memories for those who were there.

The Federation again thanks the staff and volunteers of Chicago Games Inc. for these Games "Where the World Met"...

A look back at Gay Games VII through the eyes of a photographer

A post from the blog of John Gress, who covered Gay Games VII as a photographer (we thank John for his permission to reprint a photo, and encourage you to visit his blog for more):

Five years ago this week I covered an event that was a game changer for me: Gay Games VII. The quadrennial amateur sports event has brought together thousands of gay athletes to events around the world since 1980. The event was special to me, because not only did I spend the week covering a unique sports event, the likes of which I have never seen before, I also earned the accolades of my peers, taking fourth place, third amongst Americans, in the National Press Photographers Association sports photojournalist of the year competition.

During the course of the week several of my photos were amongst the most viewed and emailed images on the web according to Yahoo. My friend and colleague Molly Riley said it was because the images were “so shocking”… a claim I found hard to believe at the time, because I was so deep into the forest, that I couldn’t begin to see the photos from an outsiders perspective.

Update on some "opening ceremony" people: Kile Ozier, Ignatius Jones, and Taylor Dayne

A little update on people associated with Gay Games opening ceremonies.

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From Gay Games IV and VII:
Kile Ozier, producer of opening ceremonies at these events, is now back in San Francisco, after stints in Melbourne and New York. Except he isn't actually in San Francisco at this very moment, because his consulting gig has taken him to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where he is planning a major event. And he's working out, because he's aiming to compete again in bodybuilding at Gay Games IX in 2014.

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From Gay Games VI:
Ignatius Jones is directing Vivid Sydney, Once a year Sydney is transformed into a spectacular canvas of light, music and colour, featuring light projections on the iconic Sydney Opera House sails, performances from local and international musicians as well as a free outdoor exhibition of interactive light sculptures. Jones personally directed the three largest live events in Australian history: the City of Sydney's Millennium Celebrations, the Harbour Spectacular of the Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics, and the City of Sydney's New Year's Eve and Centenary of Federation Celebrations 2000-2001. Jones directed the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney 2002 Gay Games, and received the 2003 Sydney Star Observer Pride Week Award for Best Event for the Sydney 2002 Gay Games Opening Ceremony. He was also awarded the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association's inaugural award for Eminent Businessperson for Services to the Community. Listen to an interview on Vivid Sydney HERE.

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From Gay Games VIII: Taylor Dayne has just sung at a Pride event in Arizona, for which she did an interview in which she spoke of her performance in Cologne: The company that was producing the single came to me. They held a contest on who would write and produce the single. They then came to me and asked if I was interested in recording the song. After I heard it I said without a doubt. If anyone goes on YouTube you can see it. The Gay Games are every four years. They are done all over the world just like the Olympics. Athletes all over the world, gay and straight, participate in that. It was a phenomenon. There were 26,000 people there. It was amazing. And today Taylor Dayne's new single "Floor on Fire" is out on Itunes. Here's a sample:

Gay Games VII sponsor a model for response to homophobic boycotts

In this essay from Ad Age, sponsors of Gay Games VII are given as the model for response to threats of homophobic boycotts:

Does This Ad Make Me Look Gay?
Effects of Backlash Are Overstated --and Dwarfed by Upside

Many marketers are aware of the significant opportunity of the $743 billion lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered market. LGBTs over-index in many categories (travel, spirits, automotive, among others) or have unique, often underserved needs (financial services and healthcare, for example) that make them a prime prospect for brand growth.

But is there still a risk to actively courting gay consumers? If you launch a gay-targeted campaign or even simply run advertising in gay media, will you be pegged as a "gay brand"? Could this turn off your heterosexual customers? Will they run screaming back to the safety of the 1950s and away from your brand? In other words, will gay panic ensue?

Clearly I am over-dramatizing the situation (after all, it's in our nature), but even in 2011, backlash is a topic that comes up in client conference rooms when marketing to gay consumers is discussed. This discussion should not be made light of or passed over, because at some point marketers may need to respond to the question of why they are marketing to "the gays."

First and foremost, there has never been a successful boycott due to supporting or marketing to gay consumers. A well-known conservative organization boycotted family-focused Disney for years because of Disney's outreach to gay customers. All the while, Disney experienced rapid growth and profits. The boycotters eventually gave up and proclaimed "victory." What kind of victory I'm not sure (perhaps over the cancellation of "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" -- that factory that churned out so many budding musical theater lads).

Where there have been mishaps is in how marketers respond to threats of boycotts. A misstep here can turn off both gay customers and fair-minded straight customers (who comprise the clear majority). Years ago, Kraft supported the Gay Games in Chicago (an international amateur sporting event similar to the Olympics) and was the target of a boycott. Its response to why it was supporting gays was an example of what to. The company stated it "truly respect[s] all kinds of differences. And diversity is not a selective concept." Diversity, it added, helped them "be a more successful business" Done and done. A clear, simple statement that resonated with gay consumers and Middle America.

An example of how not to handle a threat of a boycott is Ford, which provided a series of clumsy, contradictory responses when it was targeted by the American Family Association in 2005. Such responses don't appease groups like the AFA and they only serve to anger everyone else.

Best to follow Kraft's lead, or that of Home Depot. The latter has been under an AFA boycott for some time and someone in support of the boycott called the company and its shareholders out on its support of the gay community. The response from Chairman-CEO Frank Blake: "I appreciate your feedback and I hope all of our shareholders understand that we're a company that respects the diversity of our associates and our customers and the communities where we do business. In fact, the values wheel that I showed just a minute ago -- one of our core values is respect for all people."

Keep reading HERE.

Chicago rowing club; born from Gay Games VII, continuing the movement for inclusive sport

A nice piece from the Windy City Time's Ross Forman, that highlights the power of the Gay Games to develop local LGBT sports groups, and the message of genuine inclusion of all, men and women, gay and straight:

The Chicago Rowing Union (CRU) is optimistic that the 2011 season will be its best ever, particularly because the 2010 campaign was quite successful.

"There is a lot of excitement for the season to start, [among] returning rowers as well as those interested in learning the sport for the first time," said Bill Moudry, 36, who is the new CRU president. "Our strengths are in our core returning members. There are a number of people who have been with the team since its inception, when we were still a part of the Lincoln Park Boat Club. Building a standalone team was a huge accomplishment and the level of pride in the continued quality of the experience of its members shows that this is really a team that cares. Additionally, this year we have many new volunteers on the board, all with a lot of enthusiasm for rowing and for making this season a success for CRU.

"Our biggest weakness is our relatively small number of women. The team started as an all-men's squad, but, in year two, we began recruiting women. We are committed to increasing the contingent of women that row with CRU to build a thriving and successful women's team."

CRU is an all-inclusive rowing team for the LGBT community, and it also includes straight members.

CRU kicks off its 2011 season Sunday, June 5, in Washington, D.C.

"We strive to become more competitive in the events we enter and to increase our physical and mental stamina through hard work and team cohesion," Moudry said. "As an organization, we would like Chicago Rowing Union to be synonymous with masters rowing in Chicago, and to be known as a club that is competitive, fun and inclusive of anyone who wants to row regardless of age, experience, gender, race or sexual orientation."

Moudry, who works as a data analyst for the University of Chicago, is in his sixth season with CRU, his first as team president. CRU is in its sixth season after it was formed in 2006 to compete in the Gay Games, which were held in Chicago.

"Personally, I would love to get my 2,000-kilometer test time to be under 7 minutes, and to be part of a boat that wins a gold medal," Moudry said. "As president of the board, my goal is to serve the organization such that we see growth in membership and increased satisfaction with the rowing and team experience our members receive."

CRU will rock Chicago's lakefront July 9-10, in the annual Chicago Sprints, held at the Lincoln Park Lagoon. CRU has a new coach this year for the club program, Mark Carroll.

Keep reading HERE.