2006 Gay Games to be Awarded to Either Chicago or Los Angeles
Mon. March 1, 2004 12:00 AM
Major Announcement at 11 am Central Time on March 2
Chicago, IL -
Hundreds of boosters from Chicago's gay and lesbian sports, culture and business communities will find out on Tuesday, March 2, 2004, whether the Federation of Gay Games has selected Chicago as the host of the 2006 Gay Games®.
The Gay Games, a quadrennial international LGBT athletic and cultural event, draws over 12,000 athletes and 15,000 spectators from around the globe. It is one of the world’s most anticipated and celebrated lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) events. For Chicago, the event would have an estimated economic impact of over $25 million dollars. The host city also benefits from worldwide marketing, significant media exposure, strengthened local communities and the good will of thousands of international visitors.
Every four years, a spirited and highly competitive bidding process takes place to determine the best possible Gay Games host city. Factors in the decision making include accessibility to world-class sports and cultural facilities, preparedness and expertise of the host committee, soundness of business and financial plan, support for the vision of the Gay Games, and resources and talents within the local LGBT community. In 1999, 8 cities began the bidding process. After many years of deliberations, site visits and negotiations, the contest has narrowed to a choice between Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Vote
Directors of the Federation of Gay Games, made up of individuals and representatives of worldwide LGBT sports and culture organizations, will vote online starting Saturday, February 28. Polls close at midnight, GMT time, the night of March 1, 2004.
The Announcement
The Co-Presidents of the Federation of Gay Games will phone both Chicago and Los Angeles bidding organizations with vote results before 11 am Chicago time on Tuesday, March 2, 2004. At 11 am, the FGG will issue a press release and post the results of the vote on its website at GayGames.org. Chicago Games Inc. (CGI) will simultaneously issue a press release and announce the results on its website at ChicagoGamesInc.org. Individuals and media representatives that would like to receive that email notice should contact CGI at info@chicagogamesinc.org.
The Victory Party
Chicago has tentatively planned a Victory Celebration to take place the evening of Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at Gentry, a gay and lesbian cabaret club in downtown Chicago at 440 N. State Street. The celebration will begin at 5:30 pm. Members of the CGI Board of Directors will be available at that event for interviews or photos. Members of the public should check the ChicagoGamesInc.org website for Victory Party confirmation on March 2.
"Chicago’s bidding process began in early 1999 and has involved hundreds of wonderful and supportive volunteers and donors,” said Dennis Sneyers, CGI Board Co-Chair and Founder of Chicago’s bidding organization. “We are excited at the chance to host Gay Games VII and to produce an incredible international event that welcomes the world to our beautiful city. We also wish Los Angeles the best of luck and promise to support them fully should they be selected as Hosts instead of Chicago.”
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games was created in 1982 by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic athletic who envisioned an international gay and lesbian event based upon the principals of inclusion, participation, and personal best. The Gay Games seek to challenge negative stereotypes and strengthen the international gay and lesbian community. The Gay Games welcomes all people without regard to their sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political belief(s), athletic/artistic ability, age, physical challenge, or health status.
The Gay Games, a quadrennial international LGBT athletic and cultural event, draws over 12,000 athletes and 15,000 spectators from around the globe. It is one of the world’s most anticipated and celebrated lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) events. For Chicago, the event would have an estimated economic impact of over $25 million dollars. The host city also benefits from worldwide marketing, significant media exposure, strengthened local communities and the good will of thousands of international visitors.
Every four years, a spirited and highly competitive bidding process takes place to determine the best possible Gay Games host city. Factors in the decision making include accessibility to world-class sports and cultural facilities, preparedness and expertise of the host committee, soundness of business and financial plan, support for the vision of the Gay Games, and resources and talents within the local LGBT community. In 1999, 8 cities began the bidding process. After many years of deliberations, site visits and negotiations, the contest has narrowed to a choice between Chicago and Los Angeles.
The Vote
Directors of the Federation of Gay Games, made up of individuals and representatives of worldwide LGBT sports and culture organizations, will vote online starting Saturday, February 28. Polls close at midnight, GMT time, the night of March 1, 2004.
The Announcement
The Co-Presidents of the Federation of Gay Games will phone both Chicago and Los Angeles bidding organizations with vote results before 11 am Chicago time on Tuesday, March 2, 2004. At 11 am, the FGG will issue a press release and post the results of the vote on its website at GayGames.org. Chicago Games Inc. (CGI) will simultaneously issue a press release and announce the results on its website at ChicagoGamesInc.org. Individuals and media representatives that would like to receive that email notice should contact CGI at info@chicagogamesinc.org.
The Victory Party
Chicago has tentatively planned a Victory Celebration to take place the evening of Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at Gentry, a gay and lesbian cabaret club in downtown Chicago at 440 N. State Street. The celebration will begin at 5:30 pm. Members of the CGI Board of Directors will be available at that event for interviews or photos. Members of the public should check the ChicagoGamesInc.org website for Victory Party confirmation on March 2.
"Chicago’s bidding process began in early 1999 and has involved hundreds of wonderful and supportive volunteers and donors,” said Dennis Sneyers, CGI Board Co-Chair and Founder of Chicago’s bidding organization. “We are excited at the chance to host Gay Games VII and to produce an incredible international event that welcomes the world to our beautiful city. We also wish Los Angeles the best of luck and promise to support them fully should they be selected as Hosts instead of Chicago.”
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games was created in 1982 by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic athletic who envisioned an international gay and lesbian event based upon the principals of inclusion, participation, and personal best. The Gay Games seek to challenge negative stereotypes and strengthen the international gay and lesbian community. The Gay Games welcomes all people without regard to their sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political belief(s), athletic/artistic ability, age, physical challenge, or health status.