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.

-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 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

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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

Jamal Brown - Out on the Dartmouth Track Team

Jamal Brown has written an inspirational story about being an "out" athlete at Dartmouth University in Hanover, New Hampshire, in the USA.

This is a must read if you want a feel good story about a brave young man. Jamal is currently working at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) in Boston. Jamal will be a part of the upcoming Out magazine's Out 100.

Click HERE to read the article on OutSports.com.

Checkout everything on http://www.outsports.com/

MySpace Video 25 Years of LGBT Sports

This is an excerpt from MySpace of a panel discussion about professional sports players coming out and 25 years of LGBT sports. Somehow they failed to mention the first Gay Games, 25 years ago in San Francisco.


Home Run or Strikeout? 25 Years of LGBT Sports

John Amaechi interview with GayAgenda.com

Gay Games Ambassador John Amechi gives a lengthy, interesting interview with the web site GayAgenda.com. The interview is with James Hipps.

Click HERE to read the interview.

Matthew Mitcham Speaks!

Matthew Mitcham speaks to the Sydney Morning Herald with a glowing post Olympic interview about being the only out gay man at the 2008 Olympics.

[Australia's best-selling magazine for gay men which featured Mitcham on the cover following his Olympic heroics. "That was cool," he said. They always have the most gorgeous men on the front cover of DNA. To be on there, not because I'm gorgeous but because I'm a very good diver, but yeah that was nice."]

Humble guy. He is gorgeous. - Gay Games Blogger

Click HERE for the article.

Esera Tuaolo to speak at University of Wisconsin

Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo will speak to UW Madison in October.

Esera Tuaolo (right) with FGG board member Darl Schaaff (left) at Legacy Dinner Oct. 2007. Photo - Dick Gerharter

Former professional football player Esera Tuaolo, a member of the Green Bay Packers from 1991-92, will speak on campus about his experience as a closeted gay man in the hyper-masculine world of the NFL as keynote speaker for Finding Common Ground: National Coming Out Week 2008.

The appearance, sponsored by the LGBT Campus Center, will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, in Memorial Union’s Great Hall.

For more information, contact Cory Schultz at 886-0479 or c.schultz88@gmail.com.

More information is at the UW web site. www.news.wisc.edu/15696

USA HIV Travel Ban is Over

A press release is available on the USA Department of Homeland Security web site.
Click HERE for the press release.

Some of the details in the press release:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the publication of a final rule that will streamline the issuance of certain short-term non-immigrant visas to people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who are otherwise qualified to enter the United States.

Under this new regulation, Department of State consular officers overseas will now have the authority to grant temporary, non-immigrant visas to otherwise eligible applicants who are HIV-positive and meet certain requirements.

“This regulation significantly improves the opportunities for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. who were previously inadmissible because of an HIV infection,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

The HIV Waiver Final Rule will apply to foreigners who are HIV-positive and seek to enter the United States as visitors for up to 30 days; these individuals still must meet all of the other normal criteria for the granting of a U.S. visa.

Visas issued under this final rule will not publicly identify any traveler as HIV-positive.

Previously, individuals who are HIV-positive were prohibited from receiving a visa to visit the United States at all without an individual waiver.

Click HERE for the press release.

Fact Sheet: Streamlined Process Announced for Otherwise Eligible HIV-Positive Individuals to Enter the United States

Bill Konigsberg to speak at Vassar on Oct. 5-6

Gay Author Konigsberg To Discuss Personal Journey

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 29, 2008) -- Associated Press editor and author Bill Konigsberg, one of the few openly gay people in sports media, will be a guest at Vassar on October 5-6. Over the two days, Konigsberg will talk about his journey as a gay journalist and discuss his first novel, “Out of the Pocket,” the story of a gay high school quarterback.

A 1994 graduate of Columbia University, Konigsberg became internationally known for simulating out the remainder of that year’s strike-shortened baseball season on a computer program. He wrote about the games and posted results daily in the New York Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle and Miami Herald. Coverage of his simulated season was seen on NBC World News Tonight, Dateline NBC, CNN, and the Tokyo Broadcast System.

Since then, Konigsberg has been an award winning sports journalist and editor for the Associated Press. His first novel "Out of the Pocket" was just published by Dutton Juvenile and is available for purchase in the Vassar College bookstore.

Schedule

Sunday, October 5, 2008:

4 – 5 p.m. - Informal reception at the LGBTQ Center in Main Building Room 235.

6-8 p.m.: Talk entitled "Too Much Information?" A chronicle of his journey as an openly gay sports journalist turned novelist. Book signing to follow the talk. Kenyon Hall Club Room.

Monday, October 6, 2008:

1:30 - 3 p.m.: Guest Lecturer in English 101, Queer Alphabets. The class is in Sanders Classroom 113.

All events are free and open to the public. Seating is based on a first come first served basis.

The book Out of the Pocket is available on Amazon.com.

Interview with NCLR Sports Project Director Helen Carroll

The web site http://www.cherrygrrl.com/ interviews Helen J. Carroll, Project Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Sports Project. It has been over 30 years since Title IX and Helen J. Carroll answers the following questions in the interview:

1. What are the main goals of the Project?
2. What was your personal background in sports prior to joining the NCLR?
3. What do you consider to be the greatest successes of the Project so far?
4. What are some issues that you are currently working on?
5. What is the most common complaint/case brought before the NCLR Sports Project by lesbian athletes?
6. Where does the NCLR get its funding and what are some ways that people can get involved to help in the efforts being made?
7. What is your opinion of the current atmosphere for lesbian athletes playing in college and professionally right now? Do you feel that we still have a long way to go in terms of fighting homophobia and obtaining equality?
Do you feel that there are a large number of professional lesbian athletes afraid to come out? If so what do you think they are afraid of?
8. What is the It Takes a Team program all about?
What would say is the biggest difference between a lesbian college basketball player’s situation now as opposed to 10 or 15 years ago?
9. What would your advice be to a high school lesbian athlete who feels she is being mistreated and discriminated against because of her sexuality?
10. What are your hopes for the future of LGBT athletes?

Read the answers to these questions on http://www.cherrygrrl.com/2008/09/28/the-nclr%E2%80%99s-sports-project-levels-the-playing-field-and-helps-lesbian-athletes-reach-their-goals/

Cultural News - DC Cowboys dance on Television

The DC Cowboys have performed at least four weeks on the hit show "America's Got Talent". The D.C. Cowboys, Washington’s gay all-male dance troupe, took that look national with several appearances this fall on NBC’s reality competition show, “America’s Got Talent.

You may remember them performing to wild cheers in Chicago's Wrigley Field at Closing Ceremony of the Gay Games VII, Chicago Gay Games in 2006.

The TV show decided to keep them in the closet for the entire run on the show. What a shame. This follows hiding Matthew Mitcham's partner during the Olympics. Contact Glaad for a response.

Check out a full article of information about the DC Cowboys by reading the Washington Blade article by Zack Rosen.

Chicago 2008 Hall of Fame honorees announced

Chicago, IL — The Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues has named the 2008 list of individuals and organizations for inclusion in the only known government-sponsored hall of fame that honors members of th LGBT communities, announced Commissioner and Chairman Dana V. Starks.

Chosen nominees will be inducted at the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame's 18th annual ceremony, which will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in Sidney R. Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Included in the list for 2008 are four important Gay Games supporters:
- Suzanne Arnold, for her long-term work in the local and national lesbian and gay sports community, including her terms as cochair of Team Chicago, female vice cochair of the Federation of Gay Games, and cochair and sports codirector of Gay Games VII in Chicago.
- Kevin G. Boyer, for his service to the LGBT communities, including his work as president of Gerber/Hart Library, cocreator of national Gay and Lesbian History Month, cofounder of the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and vice cochair of Gay Games VII in Chicago.
- Sam Coady, for his advocacy for LGBT workplace equality and for his long-term contributions to the LGBT sports communities, including founding the Chicago Hoops Classic - the largest and longest-running LGBT basketball tournament in the world - and cochairing Gay Games VII in Chicago.
- Joe La Pat (1943-2008), entrepreneur, for his generosity and wide-ranging support for Chicago's LGBT community, including early key support for Proud To Run, Strike Against AIDS, Chicago House, Gay Games VII - especially for international athletes who participated - and the Center on Halsted.

You may read the entire list of honorees and information about the program on the Chicago GLHF web site.

Previous honorees included Tracy Baim, Renae Ogletree, Mona Noriega, CC Carter, Tarrina Dykes, and others associated with Gay Games, prior to this blog being launched.

Cologne Pride

Whether you are going to Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany in 2010 or maybe you are going sooner for tourism. Cologne Pride web site has information and information on the PINK card you can purchase to save money during your visit.

The next Gay Games is in Cologne, Germany in August 2010. For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII in Cologne in 2010, visit http://www.games-cologne.com/ or phone +49 221 925 2607. For information concerning sponsors of the Federation of Gay Games, go to http://www.gaygames.org/ .

Youth Coaches suspended for allowing homphobic taunts

The News-Dispatch in Michigan City, Indiana is reporting that 2 coaches have been suspended for one year for allowing homophobic taunts to be used on some boys continually on the baseball fields. Click here to read the entire news article by Laura Wink.

Key paragraphs in the article that are alarming:

[Garbacik's decision came after a two-month investigation that started with complaints a 12-year-old baseball player was being harassed. The boy's parents contacted Garbacik in June after finding out their son was being called names such as "gay, fag, homo and queer" by other players.

Kaletha told Garbacik he was aware of the comments, but called it "joking and humor" and "just boys being boys." ]

How to address these problems?

There is hope and help on the play field. Dr. Pat Griffin is director of "It takes a Team!". Information and resources are available for coaches and families on the Women's Sports Foundation web site.

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Issues-And-Research/Homophobia.aspx

About It Takes A Team!
Educational Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sport

• Many girls don't play sports because they are afraid someone will call them a lesbian or they are afraid one of their teammates or a coach might be a lesbian
• Transgender athletes were formerly excluded from sports by sex verification policies
• Lesbian and bisexual women in sport are discriminated against based on stereotypes and homophobia
• Gay boys and men in sport keep their identities secret out of fear of harassment from teammates and coaches It Takes A Team! is an educational program designed to end homophobia in sport.
Learn more

City Team Profile: Team Philadephia

If you are looking for some fun in Philly, check out Team Philadelphia. Team Philadelphia lists events by day or by team on their web site.

Team Philadelphia is the umbrella group under which the various gay and lesbian sports teams and individual athletes in the Delaware Valley come together to provide a healthy outlet for all members of the community. Throughout the year, Team Philadelphia sponsors many events in order to raise funds to organize and support these athletes as the Delaware Valley 's official delegation to the quadrennial Gay Games.

Team Philadelphia is planning to attend Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany in 2010.

http://www.teamphiladelphia.org/

Will Matthew Mitcham be an aussieBum Model?

Australia's samesame.com.au is reporting a deal between Matthew Mitcham and aussieBum brand is in the works. The highest scoring diving Olympic gold medalist may soon be a model.

Read the story on samesame.com.au by clicking HERE.

http://www.samesame.com.au/

Sydney, Australia sets October 12 as Sports Day Out

The Sydney Star Observer online is reporting Team Sydney has named October 12 as Sports Day Out. It is an opportunity to promote over a dozen LGBT sports groups in Sydney.



Click here to read the full article.

New book "CRISIS" features essays of Gay Games Ambassdors

John Amaechi and Billy Bean both contributed essays to the book “CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay In America,” The book is just release and edited by Mitchell Gold.

The NewYorkBlade.com has a full article by Joelle L. Quartini.

Click here to read the article.

http://nyblade.com/

Gay Games producer takes the Vancouver Playhouse

Max Reimer

Max Reimer is new artistic managing director of the Vancouver Playhouse. He was the producer of the Gay Games opening and closing ceremonies in 1990. The globeandmail.com has a feature article about the rise of Max Reimer to this prestigious position. Congratulations Max Reimer!

Click HERE to read the full article.

http://www.vancouverplayhouse.com/