Chicago Gay Games organizers and the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) marked the official beginning of the run-up to Gay Games VII in 2006 March 19 with an official signing ceremony at the W Hotel-City Center in downtown Chicago. FGG Co-Presidents Roberto Mantaci (from Paris) and Kathleen Webster (from Philadelphia) traveled to Chicago for the ceremony and a weekend of benefit events including a special appearance with rock star Melissa Etheridge, as Chicago kicks off its status as Host of Gay Games VII.
Chicago's bid was accompanied by a concurrent two-month-long negotiation of the proposed License Agreement, the legal document that grants the right to host the Gay Games to the Host city. Led by Chicago's attorney Gary Medler and his partners at the Chicago-based law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson, the concurrent negotiations mean that the FGG and Chicago were able to conclude the negotiations in record time. At the signing ceremony, Chicago was represented by Sue Connolly and Dennis Sneyers, Co-Chairs of Chicago Games, Inc. (CGI) with witnesses on hand from the CGI Board of Directors, government officials, community leaders, and local LGBT sports officials.
Chicago Games, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that will serve as the Host of Gay Games VII, scheduled for July 15-22, 2006, in Chicago. The City of Chicago itself will not be fiscally responsible for the Gay Games.
For information, ChicagoGamesInc.org, or email info@chicagogamesinc.org .