Swimming at Gay Games Cologne 2010

Swimming Information from Cologne


Swimming is one of the most popular sports worldwide, including at Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010. About 1,300 men and women from around the world will strive for personal bests and medals in the swimming pools of Sportpark Muengersdorf.

Each swimmer may participate in up to 5 individual and 3 relay competitions. The competitions will be sanctioned by FINA and in co-operation with International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA). Please note that every participant must have proof of a national competition license for swimming.

The swimming competitions will be held at the stadium pool at the Sportpark Muengersdorf. About half of sports events involving about half of all Gay Games athletes will take place at this major sports hub, so swimmers are sure of a large audience, and will of course be able to enjoy a variety of other sporting events during breaks!

Click HERE for full details on swimming!

Be part of it!

Register here

How do the Gay Games fight homophobia?

A Gay Games bid from Cleveland has prompted some interesting discussions on the role of the Gay Games in promoting human rights. What is a "good" host city for the Games? Should the Games only go to places seen to be "gay" destinations, or is part of the mission of the Gay Games (and similar events) to go to less obvious places? As FGG board members recently discovered at the site selection meeting for the 2011 and 2012 EuroGames, the question applies not just to the Gay Games.

Here's a discussion of the Cleveland bid from Queerty:

All things being equal, Cleveland should get the event specifically because it's not a happy gay wonderland. One of the more irritating aspects of the gay community is our tendency to think that we only exist in big liberal cities on the coast, but yes, Chelsea, there are homosexuals in Cleveland, too. If we're going to decry protest marches that never leave the gay ghetto, we should embrace the idea that the Gay Games is far more valuable as a teaching tool than it is as a moneymaker.

Note: Information found here about Gay Games IX bids in no way implies any opinion from the FGG about these bids or any preference for one or another bidding organization.

"This looks awesome"

That's the caption to a photo of Gay Games VII showing the opening ceremony at Chicago's Soldier Field. The photo illustrates an article from Washington City Paper's Amanda Hess about Mayor Adrian Fenty's support for Metropolitan Washington Gaymes' bid for the 2014 Gay Games.

Yes, Amanda, it IS awesome. Be part of it!

(Read the article here.)

Note: Information found here about Gay Games IX bids in no way implies any opinion from the FGG about these bids or any preference for one or another bidding organization.

2006 Gay Games > 2016 Olympics?

Chicago, IL — Representatives of Chicago 2016, the non-profit organization working to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics to Chicago, held a meeting at Circuit Night Club and presented information about Chicago's Olympic bid and plans to involve Chicago's lesbian, gay, bisexual and tjavascript:void(0)ransgender communities.

"It was the success of the Gay Games in 2006 that really brought the mayor on board with believing Chicago could host the Olympics," said Alderman Tom Tunney, who attended the event.

Read more at ChicagoPride.com.

Team Oregon prepares for Cologne 2010

Team Oregon 2010 is a group of people with one simple mission - send as many people as we can to the Gay Games 2010 in Cologne Germany.

In order to accomplish this, we plan to hold fundraisers and seek sponsorship. As we get closer to the Games - which will be held the first week of August, 2010 - we also hope to develop some Team Oregon pride by designing uniforms, making a banner for the Opening Ceremonies and featuring the athletes of Team Oregon 2010 as they go for the gold!

Team Oregon 2010 is a membership organization. Athletes hoping to attend the games should join Team Oregon 2010 to get their share of the fundraising and sponsorship dollars. Members can earn travel and lodging money based on their level of involvement in our many activities.
If you are not planning on attending the Gay Games, but you would like to show your support, we encourage you to join as a Supporter. Team Oregon 2010 is open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation, athletic ability or location.

http://www.teamoregon2010.org

LGBT sport vs mainstream sport: Same-sex dancing

From an interview with pair Tori and Yvonne in Same-Sex Dancing Blog:

Angelo: Have you ever entered mainstream competitions?

Tori: Have thought about it and discussed it with friends, but it isn't the dancing alone that interests me - it is very much about the dancing in a gay environment that lights my fire. I am not that interested in integrating the mainstream with the same-sex, I would rather preserve the gay scene and all that makes us special, rather than be tagged on to the end of a straight competition for the sake of visibility. I don't want anything to dilute the same- sex, if anything I would want to develop an even stronger sense of identity.

Yvonne: I have considered it and still do. We all know how expensive it is to travel abroad for competitions and it is tempting to get some floor experience by using the mainstream circuit. The trouble is, like so many other LGBT dancers, a large part of why I go to competitions is to enjoy the company and fun of being involved in an LGBT event. I love the whole community base of our competitions. Every one of our comps across Europe and the rest of the world offers hosted housing. Most include a social dance or parties or eating out together. And a chance to get to know new people and develop friendships. This is such an important part of what makes our scene special. I love going to a Gay Games and seeing thousands and thousands of others as excited as I am to be there. I love to be able to honour the courage of those competitors who have travelled from countries where their lives are endangered because of who they are and what they do.

Do I want to go to a mainstream comp where there is no atmosphere? Where the cleaners are sweeping up and clearing away before you're finished? Where there is no community? No actually.......... I'm here because I'm Queer!!!!

Video about Ithaca Conference

From The Ithican:
As a female athlete, junior Regina Douglas has seen her share of gender discrimination. The varsity softball player said in high school, a few of her teammates were mistaken for lesbians whenever they hung out with other girls.

“One time, some of my friends … saw a teammate out with a girl, and they said, ‘She must be a lesbian; she plays softball. Isn’t that what most softball players are?’” she said.

[Watch a video overview of the conference.]

At the Sport, Sexuality and Culture Conference, last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Ithaca College, sponsored by the sport management and media department, Douglas attended sessions and lectures dealing with the misidentification of athletes’ sexuality.

[Continue reading this story on The Ithican Online.]

Wrestlers Without Borders Gay Games Legacy

Wrestlers Without Borders presents a retrospective look at wrestling and the Gay Games.

The birth of the Gay Games and the growth of WWB clubs have been symbiotically intertwined through the years. To document our history, Gene Dermody and Roger Brigham prepared a commemorative booklet, "Pride on the Mat," for the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. The book is presented here with updated and revised content.

Vote for your favorite local clubs on Outsports!

Current round ends March 23!

Among the FGG-related groups in competition, Golden Gate Wrestling Club sponsored by Wrestlers Without Borders, and FGG member San Francisco Track and Field.

Vote now!

Congratulations to everyone who entered the contest. We're blessed to have so many wonderful groups doing great work in their communities. Over 10,000 votes were cast in Round 2, and everyone can be proud of all the votes they garnered!

We're now down to the Sweet 16! Voting for Round 2 of our Local Groups Challenge ends Monday, March 23 at 11:59pm ET. It's simple: In each matchup, the group that receives the most votes moves on to the next round.

Everyone is eligible to vote. The spirit of the competition is that each voter can vote in each contest one time; We chose a software that limits votes-per-person for that reason. We hope everyone will hold to that spirit of the competition.

Martial Arts at Team Philly Sports Week

FGG Member organization IAGLMA announces a Martial Arts Event during Team Philly Sports Week, Saturday 13 June 2009

0830-0900 Registration at venue
0900–1000 Gay Games Competitor/Officials Workshop
Satisfies IAGLMA Renewal of Officiating Certification for Gay Games, Rules Q & A,
1000-1200 Get Ready for Gay Games VIII Cologne
Jim Nickoff Memorial Martial Arts Training Tournament

The purpose of this tournament is to provide a learning experience for new xompetitors or those who have not competed in a while. Officials will provide suggestions and feedback to improve individual comfort and performance in forms and weapons forms. This tournament will not include sparring, musical form, or self defense.

1200-1300 Lunch & IAGLMA Membership Meeting
1300-1500 Martial Arts Seminars/workout

Join us for the Martial Arts Events that will take place during Team Philadelphia’s Sports Week 2009.

Please register at the Team Philadelphia Sport Week Website. When you register for martial arts, we will send you a separate Martial Arts registration form and waiver.

Martial Arts Divisions

If there are sufficient numbers divisions will be added. If there are fewer than 3, divisions will be combined.

Empty Hand Forms
Beginners (male and female combined)
Intermediate (female and make combined)
Advanced (female and male combined)
Black Belt (female)
Black Belt (male)
Weapons Forms
Beginners (male and female combined)
Intermediate (female and make combined)
Advanced (female and male combined)
Black Belt (female)
Black Belt (male)

Contact:
Teresa Galetti
Addie Santiago
Rick Van Tassell

Team Philly Sports Week

FGG Member organization Team Philadelphia is proud to bring you SportsWeeks 2008 from June 1 thru 8. Our goal for SportsWeek during the past ten years has been to showcase Philadelphia gay sports teams so that gay and lesbian athletes in the area can see the many opportunities available to them.

The GLBT sports community in Philadelphia offers a healthy and friendly environment in which to participate and many of our area teams continue to represent Philadelphia in international and national level competitions in such sports as swimming, soccer, wrestling, and running, to name a few.

During the past three years, Team Philadelphia has been able to expand our SportsWeek event to include competition events that involve local area athletes as well as gay and lesbian athletes and their teams from up and down the East Coast. This year’s showcase competition is the ReGAYtta Tournament on Saturday, June 7th. This event is marked by our 1st LGBTQ dragon boat race in Philadelphia during the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta festival. Our boat will be represented by participants from Philadelphia's finest gay sports teams!

Team Philadelphia has been sponsoring this week long event leading up to Pride Weekend for many years and we are excited that many of our local sports teams return each year to participate in this event. So come on out and enjoy the Spring weather in Philadelphia and watch some fierce competition. And don't forget YOU CAN PARTICIPATE.

Laura Moore in Ithaca

March 20, 2009

Conference shines light on sexuality in sports

Former athlete, journalist speak about slowly changing culture

By Stacey Shackford
Correspondent

ITHACA - Hundreds of people convened at Ithaca College this week for some frank discussions about sex and sports, but it wasn't of the typical locker room banter variety.

In fact, as they would learn, it wasn't the type of discussion that would ever be held in most locker rooms, where "don't ask, don't tell" is often the unspoken rule - at the Sport, Sexuality and Culture Conference, academics were out in the open in their explorations of homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and masochism.

More than 120 registrants and hundreds of students and college community members were expected to attend 56 sessions by 110 presenters from around the world who flew in for the three-day conference, which began Wednesday.

More on IthacaJournal.com...

3 cities submit full bidbooks for 2014 Gay Games

FGG PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release – 17 March 2009

Contacts:
Kevin Boyer, FGG Spokesperson, http://us.mc546.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net, +1 312-588-3718
Kelly Stevens, FGG Officer of Communications, http://us.mc546.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kstevens@gaygames.org, 1+ 206-295-9498

Federation of Gay Games announces Finalists for Gay Games IX
Groups from Boston, Cleveland, and Washington, DC meet final bid criteria for 2014 Games

San Francisco, CA, USA - Today the international Federation of Gay Games (FGG) announced that it had received completed bid documents from groups in Boston, Massachusetts, Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington, DC competing for hosting Gay Games IX in 2014. Federation Officer for Site Selection Darl Schaaff (Anchorage, Alaska) declared: "The FGG is delighted to receive three final bids of very high quality. The number of inquiries we have received throughout the process encouraged us to believe that we would end up with a number of fine options for Gay Games IX, but these three cities demonstrate a real understanding of the scope and mission of the Gay Games. To choose one winner from among three great bidders won't be easy."

Site Selection co-chair Dennis Sneyers (Chicago, Illinois) explained that "FGG members and volunteers will be submitting their questions for clarification to bidders over the coming weeks. In July-August 2009 a team of site inspectors will visit the three cities to meet the bidding team and see the venues proposed. At our 2009 Annual Meeting in Cologne, Germany, in September, bidders will make their final presentation and eligible members of the FGG Assembly will vote to choose the host for 2014."

FGG Officer for Sport Marc Naimark (Paris, France) expressed his satisfaction with the sports programs offered. "The FGG made some significant changes for this bid cycle to allow bidders greater flexibility in putting together their sports programs. I'm pleased that each of the bidders has taken advantage of this flexibility to offer a program that reflects its ability to offer the best events possible for Gay Games participants, in the most suitable venues, with the most experienced support staff. They have taken to heart our desire for Games that balance regional interest and international scope, and our particular priority for gender parity. And our new policy for introducing new sports before bids were submitted worked quite well with the request from Cleveland to add Rodeo to their programme."

FGG Officer for Culture Robby Davis (Seattle, Washington) noted: "Each of the bidders has met the FGG's minimum requirements for Gay Games cultural events, with some spectacular ideas for executing these events. They will be partnering with top-notch organisations to enrich their cultural programs, including conferences on topics that are truly suited to the Gay Games, such as the focus on young LGBT athletes from Boston and the symposia on women in sport from Washington, DC.

Federation Co-President Emy Ritt (Paris, France) wished all bidders well, and thanked those who had participated in earlier stages of the bidding process. "We've had contact with some great people from cities around the world that would be wonderful hosts of the Gay Games, and we thank them for the efforts they have made. As we continue to work with the hosts of Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany, to ensure the success of the 2010 Games, and begin the intensive site selection process for the 2014 Games, we encourage potential hosts for Gay Games X in 2018, from every part of the world, to start laying the groundwork for their bids."

For information on how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII, visit http://www.games-cologne.com/. For
information concerning sponsors of the Federation of Gay Games go to http://www.gaygames.org/.

-30-

About The Federation of Gay Games:
The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay
Games and promotes the event's founding principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best”™.
The Gay Games were conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and were first held in San
Francisco in 1982.

“Gay Games”, “Federation of Gay Games”, the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation,
Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc Trade marks are
registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany and Australia.

###

Gay Games IX bidding background sheet/FAQ

Gay Games IX will be held in 2014. Bids have been submitted by Organizations in three cities: Boston, Massachusetts; Cleveland, Ohio; and Washington, D.C.

Previous Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1982 and 1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Amsterdam (1998), Sydney (2002), and Chicago (2006). The next edition will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 31 July to 7 August 2010 (visit www.games-cologne.com for more information).

Q: Who will vote to select the Host of Gay Games IX?
A: Members of the General Assembly of the Federation of Gay Games. Voting members come from Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Only full members meeting certain requirements will vote on the choice of the Host ("site selection"), but all members and volunteers will participate in the review of bids.

Q: When will the Host be selected?
A: The vote for the Host will take place on September 29, 2009, during the FGG annual meeting to be held in Cologne, Germany, Host of Gay Games VIII 2010.

Q: What elements are expected in the bid books?
A: Bid books must describe, among other things, the opening and closing ceremonies, the sports program, and the culture program, along with detailed project management and budget information.

Q: Will there be conferences as part of Gay Games IX?
A: Conferences have been held at almost every Gay Games. Given that the focus of the Gay Games are sports and culture, Gay Games Host organizations are strongly encouraged to work with qualified partners for all ancillary activities, including conferences.

Q: What events are included in the culture program?
A: Bidders must include four cultural events: a choral festival, a band festival, a visual arts event, and the International Rainbow Memorial Run, a commemorative event for those lost to AIDS and breast cancer. In addition, our Gay Games VIII Hosts in Cologne have added features that the FGG would be pleased to see included in future Gay Games, such as a Cheerleading competition and an orchestra festival.

Q: What events are included in the sports program?
A: The current bids for Gay Games IX are the first to be made under a new sports policy adopted in 2007, which requires a minimum of 18 of the current 24 "core sports". Under this policy, bidders are not required to offer sports for which facilities, local interest, or expertise may not be available. Up to a total of 30 sports may be included in bids, including core sports, additional sports, historic Gay Games sports, and totally new sports to the Gay Games.

Q: How will the sports programme be evaluated?
A: Bidders are expected to propose a sports programme that offers a balance according to regional interest, gender parity, accessibility, cost of participation and execution, etc. In the past, new sports were added only after a Host was selected, as has been the case for Gay Games VIII, which has added historic Gay Games sports Field Hockey, Handball, and Sailing, along with a sport that will appear for the first time ever in the Games: Sport Shooting. These sports were added in response to particular interest amongst European athletes for these sports. For Gay Games IX, bidders have been offered the possibility of requesting approval for new sports before presenting their bid.

Q: How will FGG voters evaluate the bids?
A: Eligible FGG member organisations will be selecting a Host whose bid best reflects the capacity to organise and execute a Gay Games, following the tradition begun over twenty-five years ago. Bid evaluations will be based upon the bidder’s understanding and implementation of the Gay Games principles of "participation, inclusion, and personal best™". The quality of the venues offered, experience in project management, availability of financial and government support, the type of sport and cultural events offered are all part of the selection criteria and analysis.

Q: How much is the license fee?
A: The license fee paid by the Host will be based on the number of registered participants, using a model that shares the financial risk, while promoting collaboration and teamwork between FGG and the Host. The fees and payment schedule will be a matter for discussion between the FGG and the selected Host of Gay Games IX.

Q: What is the relationship between the FGG and the future Host?
A: As the governing body of the Gay Games, FGG acts as a guardian of the image and brand of the Gay Games, and in close collaboration with the Host, works to ensure a successful Gay Games. FGG makes available a series of resources via its “Host City Starter Kit”, including technical resources, such as the sports and culture operating manuals and information provided by previous Hosts (demographics, user surveys, Host final reports, etc.).

Q: What additional services is FGG planning to offer Hosts?
The FGG has been working even more closely with Games Cologne, the Host of Gay Games VIII in 2010, by carrying out a number of joint marketing operations throughout the world. For Gay Games IX, FGG will be offering substantially increased services with the provision of a turnkey registration system and website, freeing Hosts from the costly and time-consuming task of creating their own system from scratch. In addition to this, the FGG will be providing start-up funding to enable the future Host to become operational immediately after selection.

Q: Where are the 2014 bidders located?
A: During the 2010 bid cycle, the three bidders were from Europe and Africa. The 2014 bidders happen to all be from the USA: Boston, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C.

Q: Where will 2018 be held?
FGG has already received interest from organisations regarding a 2018 bid, and we look forward to bids from all parts of the world.

Paris International Tournament

FGG member FSGL is organizing the 6th Tournoi international de Paris (TIP) from the 29th of May to the 1st of June. They are expecting more than 1700 athletes and guests in 15 sports*.

This year for the first time FrontRunners Paris will offer a footrace competition. Another first will be offered by Les Dérailleurs, the FSGL mountainbike club, in coordination with the association Paris Rando Velo, who will organize a cycling tour of Paris by night!

In addition to an exciting sports program, you'll be able to enjoy "Physical", the famous TIP party on Saturday night, and the Monday brunch to enjoy a pleasant meal and a pleasant moment with new friends from Europe and beyond.

*martial arts, rowing, basket, running, soccer, wrestling, swimming, synchronised swimming, scuba-diving, rugby, softball, squash, volley-ball, mountain-bike

www.paris-tournament.com

Book any Travel and Support Cologne Gay Games

Book Your Travel Now and Benefit the Gay Games!

For any of your travel needs, to any major city in the world, stop booking your hotel rooms the old fashioned way. Direct your browser to www.games-cologne.de/en/cologne/accommodations and book your accommodations there. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to Cologne or elsewhere else. It also doesn’t matter when you travel, or what class of hotel you’re seeking. Every time someone books a hotel through the Hotel Reservation Service (HRS), the Cologne Gay Games will benefit. In conjunction with its partners the Cologne Tourism Board, you can count on getting a great deal on hotel rooms. You can search for reservations any distance from your destination and get prices quoted in any of 24 currencies. Many partner hotels are guaranteeing the best available pricing on your dates. Just remember to start your search at www.games-cologne.de/en/cologne/accommodations.

Remember to register for Gay Games VIII in Cologne. You can Be Part of It in just over 500 days. Click here for details on all the sports and cultural events.

New FGG Partners

The FGG recently welcomed OutInIreland and Team Oregon as the newest Gay Games Partner organisations.
FGG VP of Diversity Kate Rowe identified OutInIreland as one of the groups that the FGG should target for membership during her 2007 travels in 2007. In May of 2008 members of the FGG board first met Frank Kelly, the founder of OutInIreland, at le Tournoi International de Paris, a multi-sport tournament put on by FGG member FSGL. Frank had established Out4Tennis in 2004 as “a network of GLBT tennis players from around Ireland that come together on a regular basis for tournaments and meets. From OUT4TENNIS, it became apparent that there were many tennis players with other sports and interests.” Squash and Rowing were also active sports and have been added to the OutInIreland network. The organisation’s mission is to “promote participation in sport by the Irish GLBT community.” See www.outinireland.net for details.

Team Oregon was created to promote participation in Gay Games VIII in 2010. Based on the publicity its new website obtained, the FGG’s Membership Committee contacted Team Oregon about becoming a partner. The organisation’s marketing expert, Rob Patton, quickly responded with an application to become a Gay Games Partner. This group is really taking off. It had a Team Oregon 2010 Launch Party on January 16 that was well attended. It is encouraging Oregon athletes to organize in order to travel to Cologne next summer. A group of bowlers is actively participating in Team Oregon. See http://www.teamoregon2010.org/ for details.

Laura Moore to speak at Ithaca College conference

Laura Moore, FGG Vice President for Diversity, will be speaking at the "Sport, Sexuality, and Culture" conference organized by Ithaca Collge (Ithaca, NY) from March 18-20.

From the conference website:
Sport, as a social institution, has been identified by numerous scholars and commentators as one of the most sexist and homophobic in the United States. Sport organizations, however, are not immune to the influences of the broader society where attitudes toward homosexuals have changed as a result of gay rights activism and greater representation of homosexuals in popular media. In January of 2008, a conversation designed to engage the NCAA membership of over 1200 institutions on issues related to promoting a supportive environment for lesbian, bi-sexual, gay, and transgender college athletes and athletic department personnel took place in Nashville, Tennessee. This dialogue is reflective of conversations that are occurring among sport governing bodies that set the tone for the experiences of athletes and fans nationwide and those who work in the sport industry. The purpose of this conference is to continue to fuel and extend the dialogue around sport, sexuality, and culture both in the United States and internationally.

Cologne In New Zealand

Auckland has welcomed three German representatives of Gay Games Cologne 2010 – the big Sports and Cultural Festival scheduled for 31 July – 7 August 2010.

Maggie Gutzen, Philip Lischke and Christian Skaar were greeted by tri-athletes, swimmers, runners, bowlers, choir members, potential tourists and others at a reception at a private residence. In return the visitors presented a meticulously rehearsed power point display which had everyone captivated.

CLICK HERE TO read more on expresstoday.co.nz.

Kurt Dahl is elected Co-President of Gay Games

PRESS RELEASE

Federation of Gay Games Elects New Co-President

Former Gay Games Chicago organizer to lead international governing body

San Francisco, California (19 February 2009) – Kurt Dahl, one of the lead organizers of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, has been elected male co-president of the international Federation of Gay Games. Dahl was elected by the Board to complete the two-year term of the former co-president who stepped down to take a leadership role in the Washington, DC, bid to host the 2014 Gay Games. Dahl was the FGG vice president of host relations and will continue to chair the Host Relations Committee as co-president.

The FGG is the international governing body that oversees the Gay Games, a sports and cultural festival taking place every four years with almost 12,000 participants and 100,000 spectators. First held in 1982 in San Francisco, the 8th Gay Games will take place July 31 to August 7, 2010, in Cologne, Germany. The other member of the FGG’s co-gender presidency is Emy Ritt of Paris, France.

Dahl is currently a Vice President and Senior Manager in the Operational Risk Management division of Harris Bank NA. A 30-year banking industry veteran, he has worked at Harris Bank since 1995. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in finance, both from DePaul University. A CPA, he is a member of the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society.

Dahl was the co-founder of Lion’s Pride, the Harris Bank lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employee group. He is a past member of the finance committee for Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, a national organization supporting equal rights and opportunities in the workplace.

“The 2006 Gay Games in Chicago was a life changing experience for me, my partner and my family,” said Dahl. “I watched how the Chicago area was also transformed for the better. I’m honored to be able to bring my background and experience to the FGG and hope to foster synergy, collaboration and continuity between the FGG and the 2010 Gay Games organizers in Cologne.”

As treasurer and finance committee co-chair of the 2006 Gay Games, Dahl was part of the team that produced the first financially successful Gay Games since 1986. He led the team that managed a cash and in-kind budget of almost $23 million for an event that contributed an estimated $50 to $80 million to the Chicago area economy.

Dahl resides in Joliet with his partner of sixteen years, Jeff Clark. He has two children, Andrew (22) and Ashley (18). He is a member of the Chicago Smelts swim team and US Masters Swimming.

DC rally in "Metro Weekly" and "Washington Blade"

300 people attended a rally on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Washington, DC to support the city's bid for Gay Games IX.

In Metro Weekly...
...and in the Washington Blade

---
Information on Gay Games IX bids is provided for information purposes only and implies no preference for any bid in particular.

Equal Ground - WOMEN ON TOP 2009 Award

On the 27th of February 2009 FGG Member Organisation EQUAL GROUND will honour the ‘She-roes’ of Sri Lanka with an award ceremony and a party. EQUAL GROUND is presenting its WOMEN ON TOP 2009 award to:

Iranganie Serasinghe - Reputed Actor and Environmentalist
Kumudini Samuel - Feminist and Human Rights Activist
Ameena Hussein - Celebrated Author, Sociologist and Publisher Dharshi Keerthisena -
Entrepreneur and Designer Princy Mangalika - HIV Positive people's spokesperson and President Lank

February 27th is International Women’s Day and the WOMEN ON TOP event will be the single largest event in Sri Lanka catering exclusively to women only.

The FGG would like to send our congratulations to all the winners of this year's awards.
For more information go to the organisation's website at www.equal-ground.org or register your participation on Facebook.

Lesbian Athlete Named Runner of the Year by the Chicago Area Runners Association

Pam Blair, a member of Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago (itself a member of International Frontrunners,) was honored by the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) at its 17 January 2009 awards ceremony. Pam competed in most of the 20 races on the CARA circuit. Based on that performance, she was named the #1 woman on the circuit. How difficult is that to do? In this writer's experience, the CARA circuit is more competitive than any event he has ever participated in. And Pam is a new runner.

She says "In February 2007 I grew bored with my indoor cross-trainer, so I began running with one of my canine clients. (Pam is a dog walker by profession.) It was a nice way to break up the day and for the first time ever, I found myself enjoying running (former cyclist, never a runner). It wasn't long before the dog and I were no longer compatible running partners, so I started running on my own. It seemed I could hold a decent pace, and I missed the competition from my bike racing days, so I decided to give racing a try."

How did Pam encounter Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago? She joined to meet new people and find training partners. She had learned about the club through Chicago TriWomen, with whom she was training for the Gay Games in 2006 (biking).

Pam is an exceptional athlete. I know for I used to be able to keep up with her - something that I stopped being able to do after about two months. If Pam could accomplish this feat in 18 months of training, imagine what you could accomplish if you really set your mind to training for the Gay Games in Cologne Germany 18 months from now.

Another Video of LGBA in the Obama Parade

Interestingly, the most widely circulated blog "Unzipped: Gay Armenia" found the best video feed of the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America's participation in the Obama/Biden Inaugural Parade. See Unzipped: Gay Armenia. That blog says:

''The Lesbian and Gay Band Association. They are a national music organization who has concert and marching bands from cities across America, that makes up a network of Lesbian and Gay bands. Their participation marks the first time that an openly-gay and lesbian group has been invited to march in an Inaugural Parade.''

WTTG Fox5 news anchor Brian Boulter announcing on air the appearance of the LGBA in front of President Barack Obama at the viewing stand near the White House. Unfortunately, the parade started late and crowds had almost completely disappeared for the parade after waiting up to half a day in below-freezing temperatures. The LGBA appearance came 2/3 of the way into the program, and Barack and Michelle Obama can be seen waving warmly to the GLBT participants. The band reportedly had 177 people representing 17 states, and played John Philip Sousa's "The Washington Post March."

This video is also on the LGBA website.

*source: Metro Weekly / Last Word

LGBA March at Obama Inauguration Parade

We have all been following along to see if there was any coverage of the LGBA marching in the Inaugural Parade. Seems C-Span got it right once again. There is footage of them marching in front of President Barack Obama and the first lady Michelle Obama. Michelle seemed to be have a grand ole time celebrating the parade. I looked for Federation members but if I saw them I would not know.

Technology Officer - FGG

THANK YOU

20-January-2009

Dear Friends of Gay Games,

This message is a simple thank you for your on-going support and efforts to promote the Gay Games. Thanks to your continued presence, the dream lives on and the worldwide LGBT sport and culture community continues to grow.

Under our guiding principles and vision of "Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best", the service and sacrifice made by you and by many before us has enabled the Gay Games to touch thousands of people around the world for over 25 years.

With this vision in the forefront of our collective decisions and actions, I look forward to working with you all.

Thank you for your continued support and presence.

YES, WE CAN !!!

Onwards and Upwards,
Emy

Gay Games Scholarship Video

The Gay Games Scholarship program offers a way for people to come to the Gay Games and change their lives. They return to their home countries changed forever.

Your support is needed. Please donate to the Gay Games. The Federation of Gay Games is a registered 501(c)3 in the USA. Your donation is tax deductible.

Enjoy this video sample from the 2006 Chicago Gay Games DVD available at Wolfe Video.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbz5Sa1EjY0

Cape Town article about FGG

Click here to download the Adobe PDF copy of this article by the Pink Tounge.

Gay Domestic Partner Registry Introduced In Cleveland

2014 Gay Games bidding city is considering Gay Domestic Partner Registry.

Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman today introduced legislation for the creation of a domestic partner registry for gay and straight couples in the city.

Click HERE to read the full article in On Top.

Federation of Gay Games Completes 2008 Annual Meeting in Cape Town , South Africa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS: Kevin Boyer, FGG Spokesperson, Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net, +1 312-588-3713

Elections increase board representation from South Africa and Europe

( San Francisco , CA – 31 Oct. 2008) Appearances by South African High Court Justice Edwin Cameron and 2004 beach volleyball Olympian and Gay Games Ambassador Leigh-Ann Naidoo and workshops on sports and cultural issues facing the LGBT community in South Africa were highlights of the international Federation of Gay Games’ annual meeting held in Cape Town , South Africa from 20-24 October 2008.

The Federation’s general assembly and board of directors meet in a different city each year to conduct committee meetings and hold leadership elections. This year marked the mid-point between Chicago ’s successful Gay Games VII in 2006 and the 2010 Gay Games VIII being held in Cologne , Germany .

Brent Minor (USA) was elected as the new male co-president after Sion O’Connor (U.K.) announced his retirement prior to the annual meeting. Emy Ritt ( France ) continues as the female co-president.

Minor will also continue as Officer of Development. The Federation of Gay Games is currently seeking to fill a paid staff position, Development and Communications Director.

South African Connection

This was the Federation’s second annual meeting in South Africa , following Johannesburg in 2001. Contacts made that year helped a number of South Africans from disadvantaged communities travel for the first time outside their country and attend Chicago ’s Gay Games VII in 2006.

Returning to the southern hemisphere enabled the Federation to meet with LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) community leaders from areas that have infrequent in-person contact with their counterparts in other countries. In addition to South Africa , meeting guests came from Chile , Sri Lanka , Botswana , Congo and Mozambique .

Justice Cameron opened the meeting with a keynote speech titled “Constitutional Achievements and Challenges for the LGBTI Community”. The week’s workshops included sessions on gender parity, the state of LGBTI sport in South Africa , social networking, and how to start an LGBTI sports club.

In the workshops, Naidoo compared her experience in international mainstream sport with matters facing LGBTI teams in both developed and developing countries. She said that socioeconomic and gender imbalance issues are, in fact, still strikingly similar in the LGBTI leagues as in mainstream sport. She challenged organisations such as those that belong to the Federation to continue examining such issues at levels as basic as ensuring equal treatment at tournaments for women as men.

Midweek, Councillor Simon Grindrod, Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism, hosted a reception and dinner in honour of the annual meeting. Cape Town Pride and the Federation co-hosted a gala party at the end of the week, which included an auction that raised 20,000 rand benefiting Cape Town Pride and Gay Games scholarships for South African participants.

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010

Four representatives from Games Cologne, the organising committee for Gay Games VIII, were in Cape Town for the annual meeting. Annette Wachter, Games Cologne CEO, presented a report to the full assembly and answered questions about Gay Games 2010. Registration for Gay Games VIII is already open at www.games-cologne.com.

The full assembly elects the board officers, and thirteen board positions were open this year. All officer terms are two years each, with the co-presidents elected in alternating years. To strengthen the board, four new director-at-large positions were filled at the meeting’s close following bylaws changes.

The new Federation of Gay Games Board of Directors: * Positions elected in this meeting.

Female Co-President Emy Ritt (France)
Male Co-President / Development Officer * Brent Minor (USA)
Vice President of Host Relations * Kurt Dahl (USA)
Female Vice President – Diversity Kate Rowe (Australia)
Vice President of Operations * Jon Baldan (Australia)
Vice President of Membership Paul Oostenbrug (USA)
Secretary * Sean Fitzgerald (USA)
Treasurer * Alan Lessik (USA)
Officer of Marketing Doug Litwin (USA)
Officer of Communications * Kelly Stevens (USA)
Officer of International Development * Paul White (Australia)
Officer of Sports 1 Open (female)
Officer of Sports 2 Marc Naimark ( France )
Officer of Site Selection Darl Schaaff ( USA )
Officer of Technology * Israel Wright ( USA )
Officer of Culture & Ceremonies * Robby Davis ( USA )
Officer at Large (expires in 2009) * Martyn Pickup ( Germany )
Officer at Large (expires in 2009) * Dennis Sneyers ( USA )
Officer at Large (expires in 2010) * Viola May ( South Africa )
Officer at Large (expires in 2010) * Laura Moore ( USA )

The eighth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cologne , Germany from 31 July-7 August 2010. Chicago ’s seventh Gay Games in July 2006 drew 11,700 participants.

For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII in Cologne , Germany , visit www.games-cologne.com or phone +49 221 925 2607.

For information about or to sponsor the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.org.

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About The Federation of Gay Games:

The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best”™. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986 - 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990 - 7,300 participants), New York (1994 - 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998 - 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002 - 11,000 participants), and Chicago (2006 - 11,700 participants). Participation in the Gay Games is open to anyone without pre-qualifications regardless of sexual orientation, physical ability, age, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religions, political conviction, race, or health status. Gay Games VIII will be held in Cologne , Germany on 31 July-7 August 2010. For more information about the Federation of Gay Games, visit www.gaygames.org. For more information about Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 visit www.games-cologne.com.

“Gay Games”, “Federation of Gay Games”, the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA , Canada , Benelux, the UK , Germany and Australia .

Kevin Boyer

Director of Public Relations and Marketing

All Terrain Integrated Marketing | Brand Navigation

2675 West Grand Avenue

Chicago, IL 60612

Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net ~ www.AllTerrain.net

o 312.588.3713 ~ m 847.436.3424 ~ f 773.486.4818

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Member: PRSA, NLGJA

LinkedIn | YouTube Channel | Myspace | Facebook

Four Cities Named Finalists for 2014 Gay Games

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS: Kevin Boyer, FGG Spokesperson, Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net, +1 312-588-3713

Boston, Cleveland , Miami and Washington DC Will Bid to host Gay Games IX

Cape Town, South Africa (28 October 2008) -- Groups from Miami (Florida), Cleveland (Ohio) Boston (Massachusetts), and Washington (D.C.), have submitted letters of intent to bid for the ninth edition of the Gay Games, to be held in 2014, officials announced at the close of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) annual meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

“Fourteen (14) cities worldwide had expressed interest in hosting the 2014 Gay Games,” said Darl Schaaff, co-chair of the Federation’s Site Selection Committee. “We are very excited to now have four highly qualified bidders for the 2014 Gay Games who met the 20 October 2008 letter-of-intent deadline.”

Bid documents are due to the FGG in March of 2009. FGG Site inspectors will then visit each city between May and August of 2009. After final multi-media presentations, the 2014 Gay Games host city will then be selected by the Federation of Gay Games Assembly at its 2009 annual meeting in Cologne , Germany next October. The FGG Assembly is comprised of organisations representing sports clubs, city teams, and cultural groups from around the globe.

Previous Gay Games have been held in San Francisco , USA (1982, 1986), Vancouver , Canada (1990), New York , USA (1994), Amsterdam , The Netherlands (1998), Sydney , Australia (2002) and Chicago , USA (2006). Gay Games VIII will be held 31 July – 7 August 2010 in Cologne , Germany . Gay Games Cologne registration officially launches worldwide on 31 October 2008 at www.games-cologne.com.

Organisers from Cleveland and Miami had representatives present in Cape Town , South Africa , in support of their intent to bid for Gay Games IX 2014.

The Gay Games is the largest and longest running multi-sport event on the international LGBT calendar, with more than eleven thousand participants taking part in approximately 30 sports and cultural events every four years. Ever since the organisers of the first two Gay Games in San Francisco decided to send the event to other cities, groups from dozens of cities on four continents have sought the honour of hosting the Gay Games. A wide range of government officials, Olympic athletes, celebrities and community leaders now support local bid groups in their efforts to showcase the Gay Games.

“We extend our best wishes to the groups from Boston , Cleveland , Miami , and Washington D.C. who have entered this stage of the bidding process,” Communications Officer Kelly Stevens said. “The FGG looks forward to working with them during the bidding cycle.”

For information on how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010, visit www.games-cologne.com. For information concerning sponsors of the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.org. Images for press and promotion of Gay Games are available on the gallery link at www.gaygames.org or by request.

-30-

About The Federation of Gay Games:

The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best”™. The Gay Games were conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and were first held in San Francisco in 1982. Participation in the Gay Games is open to anyone without pre-qualifications regardless of sexual orientation, physical ability, age, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religions, political conviction, race, or health status. For more information, visit www.gaygames.org.

“Gay Games”, “Federation of Gay Games”, the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA , Canada , Benelux, the UK , Germany and Australia .

Kevin Boyer

Director of Public Relations and Marketing

All Terrain Integrated Marketing | Brand Navigation

2675 West Grand Avenue

Chicago, IL 60612

Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net ~ www.AllTerrain.net

o 312.588.3713 ~ m 847.436.3424 ~ f 773.486.4818