Thanks to Walgreens!

Durng the GALA Choruses 2012 Festival in Denver, Windy City Performing Arts (Aria Women's Chorus and Windy City Gay Chorus) performed "Thankful" in front of Walgreens drugstore in downtown Denver's 16th Street outdoor mall.

Wallgreens is based in Chicago, and was a brave sponsor of Gay Games VII.

24 June 2012 / Team Chicago welcomes all to join them at Pride Parde

A message from Team Chicago:

Pride Parade is Sunday, June 24thn with Montrose and Broadway as the staging area. Who wants to come out and represent Team Chicago Athletics and Gay Games? Got some awesome t-shirts on the way!

And view a cool photo mosaic from past Chicago Pride Parades HERE.

24 June 2012 / Join Team Chicago in Gay Pride parade

A message from FGG member Team Chicago:

Greetings Team Chicago Members and Friends!

That time of the year is once again just around the corner…of course, we're talking about the 43rd annual Gay Pride Parade! Team Chicago will proudly march and participate in the parade on Sunday, June 24th, and we're looking for volunteers to help us with planning, pre-parade promotions, float (or van) decorations, and to participate as flag holders. We hope you'll consider joining us to make this year's participation in the parade a success.

More details will be forthcoming, but if you're interested in assisting us in any way, please message us here on Facebook, email us at volunteer@TeamChicago.org.

Join us and be a part of the Team Chicago contingent in the 43rd annual Gay Pride Parade, Sunday, June 24th!

5 May 2012 ./ Celebrate Chicago Gay Hockey Association's 10th anniversary

A message from Team Chicago member Chicago Gay Hockey Association:

The CGHA would like to invite everyone to a very special 10 year anniversary fundraising event!

WHAT: PUCK-er Up - Cinco de Drinko

PUCK-er is a fundraising event for the Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA) as well as a way for our fans to come hang out with the team and watch us play. We will meet at Crew to eat, drink and hang out. All the fans and players will then board a bus to our game downtown. The bus will have free 312 and . After the game the bus will drop off at Sofo Tap for a continued night of debauchery!

WHEN: Saturday, May 5th

3:00pm - 5:00pm - Meet at Crew to eat, drink and hangout with the team.
5:00pm - The bus departs to head to Johnny's Ice House West downtown.
6:20pm - 8:20pm - Cheer on the Chicago Gay Hockey Association as they face off, CGHA vs. CGHA. We'll also have other events including a raffle and fan events!
9:30pm - 11:00pm - Spend more time with the team at The Sofo Tap!

COST: PUCK-er Up is a fundraising event for the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, your payment will secure you a seat on the bus. Send a $20 payment to info@chicagogayhockey.org via PayPal. The cost is ONLY TO RIDE THE BUS.

WHAT YOU GET: 2 drink tickets for Crew, free beer on the bus and 2 drink tickets for The Sofo Tap.

Crew (pre-party):
4804 N. Broadway

The Sofo Tap (post-party):
4923 N. Clark St.

Johnny's Ice House West (game location):
6:20 - 8:20 Ice Time
2550 W. Madison Ave.

28 April 2012 / Chicago Dragons bachelor auction fundraiser

Team Chicago member Chicago Dragons Rugby Club is raising funds for travel to this year's Bingham Cup. On 28 April, they're holding a bachelor auction that we invite you to support!

More info HERE.

Chicago Gay Hockey Association featured on Gay Chicago TV

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association was first organization profiled on "Score", the sports show on Gay Chicago TV. Watch online HERE.

Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association on Chicago Gay TV

"Score" on Gay Chicago TV looks at the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association men's basketball league. A great look at CMSA, a member of FGG member organization Team Chicago.

View HERE.

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.

---

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.

---

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.

How to Do Everything shows how to be "Proud to Run"

Mike Danfort, producer Blythe Haaga, and Ian Chillag (with a lollipop)

Fans of National Public Radio's weekly humourous news quiz "Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!" may not yet be aware that Ian Chillag and Mike Danforth, the show's producer and senior producer respectively, have launched a weekly podcast called "How To Do Everything". As its name implies, HDTE, part advice column, part survival guide, calls on expert advisers to tell listeners how to deal with a wide range of life's challenges, from the safest manner of jumping out of a moving car to the best way to scramble eggs.

When listener Adrienne called for advice (listen HERE) on running a 5k race, little did she know that the very hosts of the podcast were themselves experts on the subject. Ian's a veteran runner who has run some top races, including the Boston Marathon, and who took advantage of Chicago's Valentine's Day "Cupid's Chase" 5K to initiate Mike (and Mike's wife's) to the wonders of competitive running... after which Mike declared he would never run a race again.

Mike and Ian don't hesitate to leave the studio to take on a challenge (listeners are always able to tell that they are in the field because of their hushed voices, even when amidst thousands of runners). And so they availed themselves of the first opportunity that presented itself, June's "Proud to Run", the annual 5/10k organized by Chicago Frontrunners, a club that is itself a member of two Federation of Gay Games member organizations: Team Chicago and International Frontrunners.

While neither Mike nor Ian are themselves Frontrunners, the timing suited their recording schedule. And David, one of the guys Ian runs with, had recommended the race .because medals would be presented by the Chicago Pride Parade Grand Marshal. When David ran the race, he had received his medal from George Takei, and Ian and Mike were hoping for someone of equal fanboy cred. (Alas, they would end up not with Mr. Sulu, but with a Real Housewife. As Ian says: "She was very nice, but she's no George Takei".)

So how did this LGBT race stack up to the dozens of others Ian has run? The weather was great, and the course along Lake Michigan stunning (although Ian was already quite familiar with the lakeshore, as it's his regular course for training, especially in January, when he pretty much has the place to himself). One thing that set Proud to Run apart from other races in their eyes was the "cause". As Ian observes, people are usually looking for the timing and quality of a race, and while they're happy for the race to be raising money for charity, that's not their primary focus. At Proud to Run, which takes place during Chicago Pride, the social message and the fundraising* seemed perhaps more important than the race itself.


Mike was struck by the enthusiasm of the onlookers, and the massive presence of cheerleaders: "Male cheerleaders, mostly!" he notes. "There were people cheering by the side of the road, and even people cheering while running, wearing their costumes. I'd vowed not to run another race after Cupid's Chase, but Proud to Run made me want to race again."

Ian's a good runner – he won his division in Proud to Run -- whose proudest moment as a runner was the Boston marathon, which he describes as both "fun and horrible": he managed to finish despite finding his body shutting down, leading to some particularly memorable images for Mike: "His neck cramped so he could only look straight up. He finished the race with rather striking expression...".

Ian also writes about running. He's particularly proud of a radio piece for the regretted Weekend America program on a blind Mongolian marathon runner, and an in-depth piece on a running program aimed at the homeless.

I asked both if they would be coming to run in Cleveland at Gay Games 9 in 2014. "Can you do that?! How do you qualify?... Really? You don't have to have a qualifying time? If you don't have to be qualified, I'm in!" (The latter comment is from Mike.)

It's true that the Gay Games offer a unique experience for athletes to compete in world-class events, often alongside world champions in their sport, without needing to be selected for a national team, without a qualifying performance or event. In the spirit of "sport for all", the Gay Games offer anyone who registers the opportunity to compete under the guiding principles of "Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best ™ ". And so we hope to see Ian, Mike, Mike's wife, the blind Mongolian marathon runner, and many, many more running in Cleveland in 2014.

Game on!

*This year, the race raised money, through registrations and sponsorships LINK for Pride Youth and the Gerber/Hart Library. You'll find more information about these organizations HERE.

23 August 2011 / Team Chicago supports Midwest Valor Games

Info from World Sport Chicago via FGG member Team Chicago about a sporting event for wounded and disabled current and former US military persons. 

Also note: We are looking for stories of wounded or disabled military personnel training for Gay Games 9. Please contact Kelly at kstevens@gaygames.org if you would like to share your story.

World Sport Chicago, the legacy of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is proud to host the inaugural Valor Games – Midwest, a three day competition for wounded, ill or injured veterans and active duty service members. The goal of the event, running from Tuesday, August 23, 2011 through Thursday, August 25th, 2011, is to provide an incredible sport competition in Chicago for wounded, ill or injured veterans and active duty service members from across the Midwest. Promoting healthy, active lifestyles is important to successful community reintegration and overall life satisfaction and we are proud to support such endeavors. This is the first regional event of its kind in the country and is being organized by World Sport Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Park District, the Save Foundation, ISFA and U.S. Paralympics.

The event begins at the historic Soldier Field on August 23 with Opening Ceremonies and field event competitions. Athletes will also have access to the Illinois Warrior Summit (www.illinoiswarriorsummit.com), Welcome Home celebration from the VA, and Paralympic sport demonstrations. The second day of competition features a cycling criterium in a parking lot at US Cellular Field. Various types of cycling equipment will be used, including: typical upright bicycles, recumbent bikes, handcycles and tandem bikes. Archery will also be contested at this venue, in left field. Competition on the third and final day will include powerlifting and virtual rowing opportunities.

Resources will be available to the athletes to learn more about sport opportunities in their local communities. Athletes may be active duty or veterans from any era. Their disabilities may include: amputees, post traumatic stress, spinal cord injuries, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, visual disabilities, or any disability rating from the VA.

12 August 2011 / Chicago Market Days Classic ice hockey tournament

A message from CGHA, a member of FGG member organization Team Chicago:

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association is excited to announce dates for our first hockey tournament, to be held August 12th – 14th, 2011! This coincides with the Northalsted Market Days festival, the Midwest’s largest two-day street festival! This is a wonderful chance to enjoy the Chicagoland area, meet new people, and play some hockey. There will be 2 Recreational Divisions, the Northside and the Southside. We are offering individual or team registration.

Register by August 12th for $150/player. For more information contact tournament@chicagogayhockey.org or see our FAQ page. We also are offering a guest registration where individuals not playing but attending our dinner event and get all the tournament goodies for $60/guest.

The tournament will be played at American Heartland Ice Arena. Players will be able to leave their equipment at the rink for the duration of the tournament. This rink is the same rink where the 2006 Gay Games took place.

More info HERE.

Team Chicago at Gay Games VIII ranked second LGBT sports news of the year

Here's Ross Forman's ranking of the top LGBT sports news in Chicago and nationwide for 2010. He ranks Gay Games VIII second. What do you think?

1. Brent Sopel and the Stanley Cup join the Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA) float in the annual Chicago Pride Parade.

2. Gay Games VIII is held in Cologne, Germany, and about 125 Chicagoans participate.

3. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) launches Team To End AIDS (T2), an endurance-training program for marathons and triathlons. About 225 T2 runners complete the annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October, and about $700,000 was raised for AFC by T2 runners.

4. Diversity wins: Club Escape Phoenix won the C2 Division of the annual Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) Open Division softball league. Club Escape is one of the only South Side sponsors for a CMSA softball team, and the team is league's only predominantly African-American team—14 African Americans, three whites and one Hispanic.

5. Shawn Albritton elected new president of CMSA, replacing Marcia Hill.

Keep reading HERE.

Team Chicago Gay Games VIII reunion this Friday

Sports Friday on October 29th will also be Team Chicago's Gay Games VIII reunion event.

Please join Team Chicago for Sports Friday at Big Chicks (5204 N. Sheridan Road) from 6:00 to 8:30 PM on Friday October 29. Big Chicks will have some great specials:
$3.00 pints of Miller Lite and Leinenkugel Red

They also serve Beck's Beer in bottles if you are missing your Koelsch-drinking days in Cologne.

Team Chicago inherited this event from Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago at the end of 2009. Frontrunners objective for the event was to provide a social setting in which individual sport participants could mix and mingle. Most sport teams get together after they play; and the leagues host an end-of-the-year event of some sort. This event was originally called "Final Friday" as it occurs on the last Friday of the month. But that title made you wonder if it was the last one that would ever occur. Because of this it was renamed "Sports Friday."

We have hosted a social get-together most months. If you have any questions, contact us at info@teamchicago.org.

Chicagoans shine during Gay Games

By Ross Forman from Windy City Times

The Gay Games brings together athletes of all shapes and sizes, of all races and religions, of all experience levels. There's the extremely high level of competitive basketball played by the San Francisco Rock Dogs to the leisurely "sport" of bridge. Gay Games VIII, held July 31—Aug. 7, brought more than 9,500 participants from 65 countries to Cologne, Germany, for the quadrennial sports and cultural extravaganza. Windy City Times reporter Ross Forman looks back at the Games through the eyes, ears, emotions and more of those who battled of gold, silver and bronze, as well as personal pride and accomplishment. About 125 participants went to Cologne from the Chicago area—and here are the stories of some of them.

Read full story HERE.


And the expanded version HERE.

Live from Cologne - Team Chicago marches into opening ceremony

Here's just a few seconds of Team Chicago, part of Team USA, entering the stadium at last night's Opening Ceremony. I'm told you could see us on the live broadcast. Look below in this blog for repeat times for the webstream.

Live from Cologne: welcoming Seattle, Philadelphia and Chicago to Cologne

Teams Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle got together Friday night, July 30, at the Hilton City Center around the corner from Cologne's famous cathedral for welcoming drinks and dinner.

Pictured bottom row Tim and Kelly from Seattle, top row Kyle, Tom, Kevin, Drew and Dick from Chicago.

Team Chicago arriving in Frankfurt and Cologne

American Airlines flight 84 from O'Hare to Frankfurt was filled with Gay Gamers from Team Chicago, Wisconsin, Team St. Louis and Team LA. There were enough of us that when we landed the American Airlines welcome included a nice special welcome to those traveling to Cologne for the Gay Games.

Ok so the Team Chicago people who arrived at Frankfurt waiting for the train to Cologne had a bit of fun with Team Chicago Chair Kyle Chang who met us outside of customs. I'm not sure about "Chicago Flag As Bib" but it was nice to see a friendly face. Frankfurt Flughafen to Koln Hauptbahnhoff couldn't have been easier.

Team Chicago send-off party and uniform pick up

More than 125 Chicagoans are headed to Gay Games Cologne and Team Chicago held a send-off and uniform pick-up party at @mosphere in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood yesterday (Saturday 24 July).

In addition to uniform pickup and a raffle, @mosphere played the Chicago 2006 DVD on its screens throughout the bar. (The DVD is still available at www.wolfevideo.com and sales benefit the FGG.)

On hand were some of Chicago's Gay Games scholarship recipients, including two women supported by Amigas Latinas, Chicago's lesbian latina organization. Also on hand were some former organizers of Chicago 2006, and three of the four Federation of Gay Games Board members who are from Chicago: Co-President Kurt Dahl, VP of Membership Paul Oostenbrug, and Technology Officers Israel Wright. Big thanks to Charlie and the staff at @mosphere for a great time and all of the Team Chicago volunteers, especially Team Chicago President Kyle Chang, who helped make it a great event.

Safe travels to everyone on their way to Cologne for the 2010 Gay Games.

Photos by Ross Forman.

Chicago Athlete profile: Roger Bashore, track and field

Jim Budzinski from Outsports.com gives us a first person profile of Chicago track athlete Roger Bashore.

"My involvement in the Gay Games began with the New York closing ceremonies in 1994. I handed out information and buttons for one of the sponsors. At that time, participating in the Gay Games hadn’t crossed my mind. A few years before, I put my racing shoes away and retired from competition.

Prior to Gay Games V in Amsterdam, a friend of mine approached me to run in a 4×400-meter relay team with him. I wasn’t competing seriously at the time, so it was an interesting proposal and I decided to go. Although the relay team never came to be, I had a great experience in Amsterdam and won a bronze medal in the 1,500 meters. I have participated in every Gay Games since.

There have been highs and lows over the years. I had the flu in Sydney in 2002 but had a great time anyway. I only got to run the 800- meter prelims on the track before spending a few days in bed. By the end of the week, I had recovered enough to run the 10K road race and came away with a gold. My partner and I used our time on the other side of the world to explore New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef. It was an amazing trip that we may have never had if it wasn’t for the Gay Games."

Read full article HERE.

Team Chicago send-off

Join us for free food, well drinks and Miller Lite Drafts as we get ready for the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany. This is a great opportunity to meet other folks heading out to the Gay Games in Cologne as part of the Team Chicago delegation and to pick up your travel package documents and uniforms. You will have the opportunity to sign up for the Welcome and Wheels Up Receptions to be held in conjuction with various city teams while we are in Germany.

The location has been finalized in Andersonville for this Saturday 4-6 pm at:
@mosphere
5355 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
Map to Atmosphere http://www.atmospherebar.com/location-2

Raffles for T-shirts, 2010 commemorative trading pins, drink tickets and other prizes will be offered. Participants of the Gay Games and Team Chicago members will receive an email for complimentary drink tickets to be exchanged when you arrive. Come see images of various sporting events from the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago on their screens.

Trading shirts and extra trading pins will be available for sale at the event. All proceeds benefit the Gay Games Athlete Scholarship Program. You can pre-order your extra trading pins on the merchandise page of www.TeamChicago.org/node/348