Gay Games VII hosted a sold-out benefit at Soldier Field's Cadillac Club last weekend.
Photos from the Gay Games VII 100 Champions weekend. At the T's pre-party, world-class athletes Saskia Webber ( soccer, U.S. Women's World Cup and Olympics ) ) , Leigh-Ann Naidoo ( South African Olympic beach volleyball ) , Esera Tuaolo ( former NFL pro ) , Matthew Cusick ( gymnast who sued Cirque de Soleil ) , and Candi Orsini ( top U.S. rugby player ) ; and photos from the Night of 100 Champions, the Chicago Spirit Brigade cheerleaders; Art Sims ( columnist for the Chicago Defender, announcing the paper's new sponsorship of the Gay Games ) ; the GGVII medals were revealed, as designed by jeweler Lester Lampert; and artist Thom Bierdz did a painting for the crowd, later auctioned live, along with Hearty Boys dinner for 10 and some original 'Gay Olympics' posters. Photos by Hal Baim and Mel Ferrand
Click the photo link immediately below these photos for hot pics from the Weekend of 100 Champions to benefit Gay Games VII and the story link at the bottom of the page for more about the evening.
The weekend started with pre-parties at T's and @mosphere Friday Night. Saturday at Soldier Field's Cadillac Club, a sold-out crowd of more than 1,000 saw 100 champions of sports, culture, media and politics presented with awards, and treated to singing from local and nationally known performers, including Billy Porter. On Sunday, also at Soldier Field, the national and international sports legends in town spoke on panels about their experiences. Moderators included Robin Robinson of FOX TV, LeeAnn Trotter of NBC-5, and Jim Provenzano, a nationally syndicated gay sports columnist. Photos by Hal Baim
Sports Legends
— Greg Louganis
— Sara Waddell Lewinstein
— Graham Ackerman
— Ryan Allen Carrillo
— Matthew Cusick
— Jim Graham
— Martje Hoekmeijer
— B. Birgit Koebke and Kendall French
— David Kopay
— Leigh-Ann Naidoo
— Candi Orsini
— Petra Roessner
— Roy 'Sugar Bear' Simmons
— Esera Tuaolo
— Saskia Webber
— Courtney Yamada
— Andrea Zimbardi
Posthumous
— Dr. Tom Waddell
— Mark Bingham
Media
— Mary Carillo
— LZ Granderson
— Jim Provenzano
— Marcellas Reynolds
— Robin Robinson
— Art 'Chat Daddy' Sims
— LeeAnn Trotter
Organizations
— Human Rights Campaign
— Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund
— National Center for Lesbian Rights
— Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Council of Northern Illinois
Politicians
— Representative Ken Dunkin
— State Representative Sara Feigenholtz
— Representative Larry McKeon
— Treasurer Judy Rice
— Alderman Helen Shiller
— Alderman Tom Tunney
Corporate
— Chicago Cubs
— GlaxoSmithKline
— McKnight, Kurland Baccelli
— PlanetOut
— Walgreens
Business Leaders
— Gregory J. Robbins, Attorney
— Kevin P. O'Brien, Attorney
— Philip P. Burgess, Walgreens
— Mike R. Lufrano, Chicago Cubs
Culture
— About Face Theatre
— Toni Armstrong Jr.,
— David Lee Csicsko
— Randy Duncan
— Keith Elliott
— Joel Hall
— The Hearty Boys: Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith
— Patricia McCombs
— Yvonne Zipter
Sports & Community Leaders
— James Hormel
— Ava Allen
— Jim Flint
— Jeffrey Grinspoon and Jon Foley
— Walt Gary and the Crystal Lake Rowing Club
— David Gassman
— Peg Grey
— Art Johnston
— Michael A. Leppen
— Chuck Renslow
— Raymond Rodgers, Deaf Communication by Innovation
— Linda Turner
— Dick Uyvari and Joseph La Pat
Sports Organizations
— 9—to-12 League
— Chicago Force Pro Women's Football Team
— Chicago Gay Hockey Association
— Chicago MSA
— Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago
— Lincoln Park Lagooners
— Nubians Women's Softball Team
— Team Chicago
— Team San Francisco
— Windy City Athletic Association
— Women's Sports Association
— Women's Sports Foundation
Not attending, but accepting:
— Mayor Richard M. Daley
— Billie Jean King
— Billy Bean
— Frank Deford
— Rudy Galindo
— Ryan Miller
— Chris Morgan
— Patricia Nell Warren
— Dave Pallone
— Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
— Mark Saxenmeyer
— Ji Wallace
www.gaygameschicago.org
for details on Champions
