Chicago Games, Inc. will host a public town hall meeting Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 at
Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont, 6-8 p.m. Chicago had bid to host the Gay Games in
2006 and was not initially selected. The selection process has now been re-opened
and a re-bid from Chicago is being requested. At this meeting, members of the
community are invited to provide input into the feasibility of Chicago hosting Gay
Games VII in the summer of 2006. Representatives from Chicago Games, Inc. and
the community leaders who prepared the original bid will help lead the discussion.
Representatives of sports and culture groups, as well as business owners,
promoters and fundraisers, are especially invited to attend. No RSVP is necessary
and the event is free of charge. If you are unable to attend but are interested in
receiving information about a Chicago bid for the 2006 Gay Games, send your email
address to volunteer@chicagogamesinc.org with subject line 'Place Me on Chicago
2006 Email List.'
More than 400 people participated in Chicago's original bid to the Federation of Gay
Games (FGG). Since negotiations with the original host organization were declared
at an impasse three weeks ago, the Federation has invited the other 2006 Finalists
(Alternative Bidding Organizations—or ABOs) to participate in a shortened re-bid
process to determine the host of the 2006 Gay Games. Atlanta has bowed out,
leaving just Chicago and Los Angeles as potential re-bidders for Gay Games VII.
Those who prepared the original Chicago 2006 bid have been meeting with
Chicago city officials to find out what role government might play in a re-bid.
However, organizers emphasize that they will be first and foremost looking to do
what is best for the Chicago GLBT community. The Gay Games generates millions
in tourism dollars, and this moment in history provides a unique opportunity for
Chicago's community to be center stage in the worldwide GLBT movement.
While preparation time would be shortened, organizers are exploring a Gay Games
focused on the sports and culture components of the event, scaling back unrelated
activities and leaving promoters and non-profit groups to run licensed ancillary
events during the Gay Games. Organizers believe that such a plan for a streamlined
Gay Games VII could avoid the financial difficulties of past Gay Games, return the
event to its core mission, avoid taking significant funds from existing Chicago GLBT
community priorities, and yield significant tourism revenue to the city and its GLBT
and hospitality businesses.
'We look forward to hearing from sports, culture and business leaders about their
feelings for a Gay Games in Chicago,' said Dennis Sneyers, Co-Chair of Chicago
Games, Inc. 'The Games will likely move away from North America in 2010, leaving
a long gap for the next opportunity for Chicago to make such a significant
contribution to the GLBT sports and culture movement.'
'Before making a decision, the responsible thing to do is receive input from the
sports and cultural organizations, plus tourism-related businesses who would be
called upon to help this effort,' said Kevin Boyer, lead organizer of the recent
Federation of Gay Games annual meeting in Chicago.
While in Chicago, the FGG adopted a contingency plan asking that each ABO submit
a revised budget and plan for a Gay Games VII in 2006, preferably not to conflict with
the dates being proposed for the Sports and Cultural Festival in Montreal that same
year. A copy of a proposed contract between the Host City and the FGG will be
included as part of the advanced materials from the FGG. The ABOs were asked to
indicate preliminary interest in the re-bid process by Dec. 1, 2003, with a formal bid
due by Feb. 1, 2004. A new host for Gay Games VII will be selected by March 14,
2004. The Dec. 1 interest statement is not a commitment to re-bid, but rather a
statement of interest in the re-bid process.
Chicago Games, Inc., formerly known as Chicago 2006, is a 501c3 nonprofit
organization committed to promoting the Gay Games movement in Chicago and
bringing a future Gay Games to Chicago.
Gay Games is a registered trademark of the Federation of Gay Games. For more
information, visit GayGames.org or see www.gaygames.org .
Sport Shorts
Windy City Athletic Assc. hosts an open gym for men's basketball, with
recreational-level play from noon-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, and competitive-level
play 2:30-4 p.m. The time in between is open to all levels. League play begins in
mid/late December. $5 suggested donation, Margate Park Fieldhouse, 4931 N.
Marine, (773) 327-WCAA, mens.basketball@wcaa.net, www.wcaa.net .
CMSA Women's Volleyball Call (312) 498-5159 or (773) 972-2787, e-mail
jraimond@mmbmlaw.com
WCAA's Women's Basketball See www.wcaa.net or email
womens.basketball@wcaa.net .
Chicago Force Women's Pro Football Team Tryouts info at
chicagoforcefootball.com .
Chicago Gay Hockey Association hosts Open Hockey / Practice / Skills Clinic, for
details see www.chicagogayhockey.org .
Women's Sports Association Floor Hockey League is forming. Games will be
played at Windy City Fieldhouse, Friday nights starting, Dec. 12 thru March 12.
Martha @ 847-452-2561 or marthavaldes816@yahoo.com .
CMSA Friday night doubles tennis is at Midtown Tennis, 2020 W. Fullerton. See
secondcitytennis@hotmail.com, www.secondcitytennis.com .
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AIDS Marathon Training
Come spring, seasoned and novice runners will begin to prepare for a journey that
may very well be the challenge of a lifetime. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC),
in conjunction with Walk-The-Talk Productions, is bringing the National AIDS
Marathon Training Program to Chicago.
See www.aidsmarathon.com or call (312) 765-0210.
Heart of America
AIDS Ride July 12-13
Among the several midwest AIDS rides which have cropped up to replace the
now-defunct Palotta Teamworks Heartland Ride is the 2003 Heart of America Ride
for AIDS (www.aidsride2003.org), a new bicycle event designed to raise funds to
assist the region's AIDS community.
The ride is set to take place July 12-13 beginning and ending near Starved Rock
State Park, Ill. Funds will benefit AIDSCARE, a Chicago-area organization that
assists those living with advanced HIV/AIDS through housing, care and support
services.
www.aidsride2003.org or (877) 343-7433.
GLSEN Bowling benefit
GLSEN Chicago's 7th Annual Bowl-a-thon is Saturday, March 22, 9:30 p.m. until
midnight at Marigold Bowl, 828 W. Grace. See www.glsenchicago.org .
