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

All Terrain Case Studies | DudeWeCanFixIt.com

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

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/

California Dreaming 2008 A Same-sex Dance Spectacular

California Dreaming same-sex dance spectacular on October 18, 2008

An unforgettable day of dramatic dance competitions, dinner, spectacular dance show & social dancing for the same-sex community and their friends:

Ballroom, Latin and Country Western and other partner dances

Just Dance Ballroom, Oakland, October 18th

www.caldancechamp.com

The Taboo of Sports: Gay Athletes

Kelly Crandall wrote an article for the bleacher report. The bleacher report is and Open Source Sports Network. She takes on the topic of gay athletes and the problems in professional sports with out gay and lesbians.

Click here for the article.

http://bleacherreport.com

NBC's Bob Costas talks about "out" Athletes including Matthew Mitcham

The blog http://www.afterelton.com/people/2008/9/bobcostas has a lengthy exclusive interview with NBC's Bob Costas. Bob tries to answer why NBC failed to do a full profile of Matthew Mitcham and then talks about out athletes, homophobia in sports and more. It is well worth reading.

Check it out by clicking HERE.

Team NY Aquatics hosts Aquapalooza in October

Join Team New York Aquatics for the fourth spectacular meet of the new millennium, Aquapalooza, Columbus Day Weekend: Saturday, October 11, 2008. It promises to be a very special holiday in NYC.

Registration is now open. Download an information and entry packet today! Entry deadline is Wednesday, September 24. For more details: http://www.tnya.org/aquapalooza/

Happy 90th Birthday Paul Mart

Photo of Gene Dermody, Paul Mart, and Sara Waddell-Lewinstein at the Gay Games 25th Anniversary Legacy dinner in October 2007, San Francisco.

Paul Mart, one of the founders of the Gay Games celebrates 90 years today. We wish Paul all the best. Paul is still a competitor in body building. Paul's long career includes being a veteran of WW II Pacific and Europe, Actor, Stuntman, Rodeo Bronco Rider. He is also a constant supporter of Gay Games.

Here is photo of Paul Mart in 2005 on tour promoting Chicago Gay Games. He is seen with Team Seattle board members and FGG volunteers in Seattle. He co-founded the Gay Games, and his support is strong.

First Gay HELI-SKI Week Planned in Canada

CMH HELI-SKIING LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER GAY HELI-SKI WEEK

Banff, Alberta - September 9, 2008: Next spring, Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), the first company to introduce winter sports enthusiasts to the joys of Heli-Skiing almost a half century ago, will debut another first-its first-ever Gay Heli-Ski Week.

From April 11-18, 2009, the remote Gothics Lodge in the Selkirks range of the Canadian Rockies will be host to the inaugural CMH Gay Heli-Ski Week.For seven days, 34 gay and lesbian skiers and snowboarders from around the world will converge on the Gothics for skiing and boarding in some of the world's most pristine powder and a guarantee of 100,000 vertical feet.

After exhilarating days on the slopes, guests return to the Gothics Lodge, where they'll have exclusive use of this picturesque lodge, dinner with new friends and time to unwind with a soak in the outdoor hot tub or a drink by the fireplace. And come Friday night, another CMH first -- a Long Johns & Lingerie theme party!

Cost per person is $5,500 CAD, based on double occupancy and exclusive of GST.

For more information, please visit www.cmhski.com/gayheliski, or call 1-800-661-0252.