JESS WEIDA
Age: 32
Hometown: Chicago ( Wicker Park )
High School: North Allegheny Senior ( Wexford, Pa. ) , Class of 1991.
College: Alfred ( N.Y. ) University, class of 1995.
Now: Freelance graphic designer.
Sport: Javelin Throw
Status: Partner to K. Bradford for three years.
Enjoys: Spending time with friends, getting to know Chicago and reading, 'which is how I unwind.'
It's a Fact: Enjoys playing floor-ball locally, a sport best described as indoor field hockey, which is very popular in Europe, especially Sweden. ( For more information on the local floor-ball action, go to: www.innebandychicago.com . )
Her biology teacher as a junior at North Allegheny Senior High School in Pennsylvania also was one of the school's track & field coaches. So Jess Weida, like many other students, was recruited, so to speak, for the springtime sport.
'When I decided to give track a shot, I didn't really know what I was going to do,' Weida said. 'I quickly realized I wasn't too psyched about running, but eventually tried the javelin and it just kind of clicked, made sense. I always had a pretty good arm for a girl, though I hate using that phrase.'
Weida excelled in the javelin, which she competed in for two years. She was third in the state of Pennsylvania in 1991, and was an All-State track team member. Plus, she set the school record for the javelin, a mark she still holds.
'I guess I found success in javelin, albeit only at the high school level,' Weida said. 'Signing up for the javelin ( toss ) at the Gay Games is, perhaps, trying to reclaim some of that high school glory, or at least challenge myself to get into shape and compete again.'
Weida attended Alfred University, but the New York-based company did not have a track program. She's played soccer and volleyball since entering the real world, but will stick with the javelin for the Games.
'I have a friend who previously competed in the Gay Games and she's talked about the experience a lot. That's gotten me pretty excited for the Games,' Weida said. 'The only problem is, it feels pretty distant, a long time away. I'm sure, though, that will change and I'll get a little more amped once it gets closer. I've been hearing a lot of buzz about the event as a whole and I'm sure that will continue, and the Games will be great for the city.'
The Games also, no doubt, will be a perfect opportunity for Weida's alter-ego to shine. She, er, he is drag-king J.R. Stranger, a member of the Chicago Kings.
'It's weird, the Chicago Kings have sort of given me a quirky form of celebrity ( status ) ,' Weida said. 'I get a lot of grief for being a jock, but that doesn't have much currency in the drag-king community.'
But drag does help her sporting ventures, she said.
'Sports is something I've done life-long. Drag is something fairly new; I've been doing it for almost three years,' she said. 'They haven't meshed a whole lot, at least not yet. But getting up on stage has pushed my comfort level, so I guess drag has helped my sports in that area.'
Her partner of three years, K. Bradford, also is a drag-king, aka, Johnny T.
Ross Forman is a sportswriter based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. He will be profiling athletes and other personalities associated with the 2006 Gay Games from around the world in his continuing series, 'Countdown to the Gay Games.' Anyone with story ideas, suggestions or comments can email Ross at: Rossco814@aol.com .