Gay Games VII
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Gay Games colloquially called the Chicago Gaymes, is part of a family of international sports and cultural festivals called Gay Games
Gay Games
The Gay Games is the world's largest sporting and cultural event organized by and specifically for LGBT athletes, artists, musicians, and others. It welcomes participants of every sexual orientation and every skill level...
, sanctioned by the Federation of Gay Games
Federation of Gay Games
-Concept and official purpose:According to the Federation of Gay Games :-Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII:In 2001, the Federation of Gay Games awarded the seventh edition of the Gay Games to Montréal, Quebec, Canada for 2006, but the FGG removed its sanction in late 2003 after...
and organized by the gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, bisexual, transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
community of the host city of Chicago, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The competition took place July 15– July 22, 2006. The official Gay Games VII slogan was "Where the World Meets."
Actual athletic events were played in venues scattered throughout Chicago and its suburbs, all participating in the Gay Games through special permissive votes in their respective town or village councils. Cultural events included concerts and performances by the likes of Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
, Megan Mullally
Megan Mullally
Megan Mullally is an American actress and singer.After working in the theatre in Chicago, Mullally moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and began to appear in supporting roles in film and television productions. She made her Broadway debut in Grease in 1994 and she has since appeared in several Broadway...
, among others added to the festival's feel and charm. Contemporary artists also provided exhibitions as part of the Gay Games.
Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, Skåne, in southern Sweden. Since July 2008 the company has been owned by the French firm Pernod Ricard who bought V&S Group from the Swedish government....
, American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms, along with Deloitte, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers ....
, Fleishman-Hillard
Fleishman-Hillard
Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest public relations agencies, with a global network of offices as well as offices in 22 cities in the United States. It is a part of Omnicom Group Inc....
and Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
. Media relationships were created with the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
, New York Times, ChicagoPride.com
ChicagoPride.com
ChicagoPride.com is Chicago, Illinois' online resource for the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The ChicagoPride.com website features a free popular matchmaker, photo galleries, advice columns, breaking news affecting the community, and the largest database of theMidwest's...
and the National Broadcasting Company
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. Advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
offered substantial funding for the event, as well.
Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago organizers hoped that success of Gay Games VII would help prove to the United States Olympic Committee
United States Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various...
of Chicago's viability in hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics
Chicago 2016 Olympic bid
The Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics was an unsuccessful campaign, first recognized by the International Olympic Committee on September 14, 2007...
.
Originally awarded to Montréal, Canada
The seventh edition of the Gay Games was originally planned for MontréalMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 2006, but the Federation of Gay Games
Federation of Gay Games
-Concept and official purpose:According to the Federation of Gay Games :-Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII:In 2001, the Federation of Gay Games awarded the seventh edition of the Gay Games to Montréal, Quebec, Canada for 2006, but the FGG removed its sanction in late 2003 after...
(FGG) removed its sanction after differences arose between it and the Montréal 2006
2006 World Outgames
The 1st World Outgames took place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from July 26, 2006 to August 5, 2006. The international conference was held from July 26 to the 29. The sporting events were held from July 29 to August 5.-History:...
organizing committee. For more information on the change of host cities, see the Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII section of the Gay Games
Gay Games
The Gay Games is the world's largest sporting and cultural event organized by and specifically for LGBT athletes, artists, musicians, and others. It welcomes participants of every sexual orientation and every skill level...
article.
Opening Ceremony
At the midway point of the Ceremony was the "Exhortation to a Weary Army," a reinvigoration to the community in the worldwide fight against AIDS, given from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and tribute to Tom Waddell, the founder of the global Gay Sports movement and the Gay Games.
The ceremony took place on July 15, 2006 in Chicago's Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
and consisted of five parts:
Prologue
- DJ Frankie KnucklesFrankie KnucklesFrankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
, the “Godfather of HouseHouse musicHouse music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
” played music for the prologue - The Procession of over 11,000 Athletes and Participants of Gay Games VII in a record 46 minutes
- Oath to the Athletes and Participants led by David KopayDavid KopayDavid Marquette Kopay is a former American football running back in the National Football League who in 1975 became one of the first professional athletes to come out as gay....
- The National Anthem of the United States of America - Christy Fairbairn Hasselson, Windy City Gay Idol 2006
- Oath to the Officials - Billy BeanBilly BeanWilliam Daro "Billy" Bean is a former Major League Baseball player who made news in 1999 when he made his homosexuality public.-Career:...
, Saskia Webber - Welcome by Chicago Games Inc. - Co & Vice Chairs: Sam Coady, Suzanne Arnold, Tracy Baim, Kevin Boyer
- Responsibility for Change - Megan MullallyMegan MullallyMegan Mullally is an American actress and singer.After working in the theatre in Chicago, Mullally moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and began to appear in supporting roles in film and television productions. She made her Broadway debut in Grease in 1994 and she has since appeared in several Broadway...
- Welcome by Chicago Mayor Richard M. DaleyRichard M. DaleyRichard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
Act I “Exclusion”
- Choreography by Iega Jeff
- Special appearance by ErasureErasureErasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
’s Andy BellAndy BellAndy Bell may refer to:*Andy Bell , British professional boxer*Andy Bell , English footballer*Andy Bell , English footballer*Andy Bell *Andy Bell... - Presentation by Kate ClintonKate ClintonKate Clinton is a American comedian specializing in political commentary from a gay/lesbian point of view.-Early life:...
- Welcome - Co-Presidents of the international Federation of Gay GamesFederation of Gay Games-Concept and official purpose:According to the Federation of Gay Games :-Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII:In 2001, the Federation of Gay Games awarded the seventh edition of the Gay Games to Montréal, Quebec, Canada for 2006, but the FGG removed its sanction in late 2003 after...
: Kathleen Webster and Roberto Mantaci - Legends of Women’s Music: Holly NearHolly NearHolly Near is an American singer-songwriter, actress, teacher, and activist for social change.-Early years:...
, Barbara HigbieBarbara HigbieBarbara Higbie is a Grammy nominated, Bammy award winning pianist, composer, violinist, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has played on over 65 CD's including 3 tunes on the recent Carlos Santana CD. A longtime Windham Hill recording artist, she has also recorded for Olivia/Second...
, Nedra Johnson, Teresa TrullTeresa TrullTeresa Trull is an American female singer from Durham, North Carolina.Trull sang in churches as a child, and played in rock & roll groups in the early 1970s on the East Coast. Her debut album, The Ways a Woman Can Be, in 1977, and has recorded two albums with Barbara Higbie...
Act II “Oppression”
- Choreography by Joel Hall
- Special Appearance by ErasureErasureErasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
’s Andy BellAndy BellAndy Bell may refer to:*Andy Bell , British professional boxer*Andy Bell , English footballer*Andy Bell , English footballer*Andy Bell *Andy Bell... - Presentations by Staceyann ChinStaceyann ChinStaceyann Chin is a spoken word poet, performing artist and LGBT rights political activist. Her work has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Pittsburgh Daily, and has been featured on 60 Minutes...
, George TakeiGeorge TakeiGeorge Hosato Takei Altman is an American actor, author, social activist and former civil politician. He is best known for his role in the television series Star Trek and its film spinoffs, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the...
, Jorge ValenciaJorge ValenciaJorge Valencia is a Mexican footballer who plays for Tigres de la UANL of the Primera Division de Mexico.-International:*FIFA U-20 World Cup**3rd Place : 2011-External links:*... - Rainbow Run for the End of HIV and Cancer: Brent Nicholson Earle, Rob Hadley, Renae Ogletree, Modesto "Tico" Valle
- Tribute to Tom WaddellTom WaddellDr. Tom Waddell was the gay American sportsman who founded the international sporting event called the Gay Games, which was named such after the United States Olympic Committee sued Dr. Waddell for using the word "Olympic" in the original name "Gay Olympics". The Gay Games are held every four...
, founder of the Gay Games Movement - Tom Waddell Award- presented by Greg LouganisGreg LouganisGregory "Greg" Efthimios Louganis is an American Olympic diver and author.He received the James E. Sullivan Award from the Amateur Athletic Union in 1984 as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States....
and Jessica Waddell Lewinstein - Performance by Jody WatleyJody WatleyJody Vanessa Watley is an American, singer, songwriter, record producer, and founder of Avitone Records whose music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul....
- Keynote address by United States Ambassador James C. Hormel
- The Quilt - Keith BoykinKeith BoykinKeith Boykin is an American broadcaster, author and commentator. He is editor of The Daily Voice, a CNBC contributor, and a co-host of the BET TV talk show My Two Cents.-Biography:...
delivering the “Exhortation to a Weary Army”
Act III “Expression”
- Choreographed by Michele Lynch
- Performance by the cast of “Avenue QAvenue QAvenue Q is a musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty and the show was directed by Jason Moore and produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, and Jeffrey Seller...
” - Presentations by David da Silva Cornell who read from "Knocking On Your Closet Door; Come Out and March With Us" and by Margaret ChoMargaret ChoMargaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
- Erasure’s Andy BellAndy BellAndy Bell may refer to:*Andy Bell , British professional boxer*Andy Bell , English footballer*Andy Bell , English footballer*Andy Bell *Andy Bell...
sings "A Little Respect" - “Proud” - Heather SmallHeather SmallHeather Small is a British soul singer, best known for being the lead singer in the Manchester based band M People. Her debut solo album was Proud in 2000...
- Presentation of the Federation of the Gay Games Flag
- “Take the Flame” the Official Anthem of the Gay Games, performed by Esera TuaoloEsera TuaoloEsera Tavai Tuaolo is a retired American professional football player. He was a defensive lineman in the NFL for nine years.-Early life:...
Act IV “Ignition” and the Lighting of the Flame
- Choreographed by Christopher Harrison
- Introduced by Suzanne WestenhoeferSuzanne WestenhoeferSuzanne Westenhoefer is an out lesbian stand-up comedian. She starred as a panelist on GSN's 2006 remake of I've Got a Secret, which featured a panel of gay celebrities who had to guess the various guests' 'secrets' through a series of timed questions...
- Ignition of the flame
- Exit
Venues
Sporting events
Results http://www.gaygameschicago.org/sports/home.php
| Badminton Singles http://www.gaygameschicago.org/images/Sports/Badminton/results-badminton-countries.doc | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's T | Dexter Giffard, Chicago, IL, USA | Chris van der Westhuizen, Milwaukee, WI, USA | Mark Scrivener, London, UK |
| Men's A | Collin Koo, Vancouver, BC, CANADA | Richard Liu, London, UK | Aaron Ray Antonio, Chicago, IL, USA |
| Men's B | Dariusz Zieba, Phoenix, AZ, USA | Martin Kraemer, Munich, GERMANY | Malcolm Banks, London, UK |
| Men's CC | Ron Ng | Dennis Fong, San Leandro, CA, USA | Lucas Wong, Chicago, IL, USA |
| Men's C | AJ Jamal, Long Beach, CA, USA | Jeff Weber, Chicago, IL, USA | Rick Jun Li |
| Women's A | Cindy Lee, Austin, TX, USA | Suanne Au, Lincoln, NE, USA | Amy Ma, Arlington Heights, IL, USA |
| Women's B | Laura Grieve, San Francisco, CA, USA | Bonnie May, Florence, MA, USA | Ilse Aben, Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS |
| Women's C | Coni Staff, Forestville, CA, USA | Karen Shoffner, Elk Grove Village, IL, USA | Emma Lou "Scottie" Scott, Houston, TX, USA |
See also
- Gay GamesGay GamesThe Gay Games is the world's largest sporting and cultural event organized by and specifically for LGBT athletes, artists, musicians, and others. It welcomes participants of every sexual orientation and every skill level...
- Federation of Gay GamesFederation of Gay Games-Concept and official purpose:According to the Federation of Gay Games :-Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII:In 2001, the Federation of Gay Games awarded the seventh edition of the Gay Games to Montréal, Quebec, Canada for 2006, but the FGG removed its sanction in late 2003 after...
- 1st World Outgames
External links
- Gay Games VII official site
- Federation of Gay Games
- Gay Games vs. Outgames - Registrations now open in both cities (QueerSport.org) Sep 16, 2004