Worldwide “Naming” Contest Announced
Chicago, IL -
Playful, vibrant, athletic, uniquely “Chicago,” and just plain “cool.” These are just a few of the words used to describe the new logo announced today for Gay Games VII, scheduled for 15-22 July 2006 in Chicago. For the first time ever, a Gay Games logo incorporates sports figures into its design, breaking with a tradition of torches, cityscapes and LGBT symbols. In another first for the Gay Games, the two figures will soon sport names that will be selected after a world-wide naming contest to take place throughout the month of May.
Reaction to the new logo by the officials with the Federation of Gay Games was enthusiastic. "Chicago's wonderful new logo is another step forward for the Gay Games VII organizers," said Kathleen Webster, Federation of Gay Games co-president, from her home outside Philadelphia. "No previous host city's design has incorporated people, and active people at that, and that of course is what the Gay Games is all about." "This vibrant new logo for Gay Games VII builds on the heritage of Gay Games I to VI," said London-based Sion O'Connor, co-chair of the Federation of Gay Games' Communications Committee. "It depicts the dynamic spirit of the Gay Games and articulates the diversity of gender, race and sport that is such a key element of the Games. I look forward to seeing Chicago swathed in the logo in July 2006." The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games.
Chicago Gay Artist
The new Gay Games VII logo was created by Chicago queer artist David Lee Csicsko (pronounced “Sis-Ko”). Csicsko has rapidly gained a significant following for his highly colorful and stylized representations of the human form. Many Chicagoans will recognize his work from murals that appear at the Belmont station on the Chicago Subway “RedLine” in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, a heavily gay neighborhood sometimes called “Boystown.” He is also the creator of a series of posters for Northalsted Market Days, a 300,000-person street festival that takes place in Lakeview each August. His artwork appears in print and other media throughout the Midwestern U.S. and he has received widespread critical acclaim from the art world. Csicsko has signed on as a consultant for Gay Games VII and will be developing a series of sports and culture-specific icons, posters and designs for collectibles and wearables for the 2006 Sports and Cultural Festival.
“Csicsko’s design was selected from dozens of excellent submissions because it beautifully articulated the themes of the Gay Games and the sentiments of the Chicago host committee,” said Brenda Schumacher, marketing consultant to Chicago Games, Inc. “This new logo has a visual eloquence that speaks of motion, energy, artistry, friendship and exuberance that is at the heart of the Gay Games. The open hands are welcoming, athletic and celebratory. David Csicsko’s design fittingly represents Chicago’s love of public art and civic beauty.”
Logo and Chicago History
This logo also has several elements that brand it unique to Chicago. The waves at the bottom are meant to evoke Chicago’s stunning lakefront. The lakefront’s parks, marinas and harbors will be the site of several of the sports competitions during Gay Games VII. The four red stars on the logo are drawn from the City of Chicago flag. Each star represents a major event in Chicago’s history - the building of Fort Dearborn at the mouth of the Chicago River in 1803, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, and the Century of Progress, a star added in 1933. Each star has 6 points, and each point (all 24) represents a value or characteristic of Chicago. The points on the 3rd star, for example, represent the international history of Chicago and Illinois, first as a territory of France, then Great Britain before becoming part of the United States in 1778 and, finally, Illinois’ statehood in 1818.
Worldwide Naming Contest
As it unveiled the logo, Chicago also announced a naming contest for the figures. “For the next 27 months, the two figures in our logo are going to play an integral role in the promotion of the Gay Games VII brand,” said Kevin Boyer, Gay Games VII Marketing Communications Committee Chair. “We’re already beginning to think of them as part of the Gay Games family, and as with any other family member, they deserve names. The Gay Games belong to the entire world, and so today we invite friends and supporters worldwide to help us name these new family members.” Contest entries will be accepted through Friday, May 21, and the names will be announced May 28. Entry rules are posted at http://www.chicagogamesinc.org. The winner will receive a prize package of logo merchandise, including wearables and souvenir items, plus a pair of tickets to Opening Ceremonies at Gay Games VII on Saturday, 15 July 2006.
About The Gay Games
The Gay Games were conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and were first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), and Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants). Gay Games VII will include 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of inclusion, participation and personal best. For more information, visit GayGames.org.
Chicago Games, Inc. is the host of Gay Games VII and is led by experienced civic leaders from Chicago’s business, sports and non-profit sectors. For more information, visit Chicago2006.org, or email info@chicagogamesinc.org.
Reaction to the new logo by the officials with the Federation of Gay Games was enthusiastic. "Chicago's wonderful new logo is another step forward for the Gay Games VII organizers," said Kathleen Webster, Federation of Gay Games co-president, from her home outside Philadelphia. "No previous host city's design has incorporated people, and active people at that, and that of course is what the Gay Games is all about." "This vibrant new logo for Gay Games VII builds on the heritage of Gay Games I to VI," said London-based Sion O'Connor, co-chair of the Federation of Gay Games' Communications Committee. "It depicts the dynamic spirit of the Gay Games and articulates the diversity of gender, race and sport that is such a key element of the Games. I look forward to seeing Chicago swathed in the logo in July 2006." The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games.
Chicago Gay Artist
The new Gay Games VII logo was created by Chicago queer artist David Lee Csicsko (pronounced “Sis-Ko”). Csicsko has rapidly gained a significant following for his highly colorful and stylized representations of the human form. Many Chicagoans will recognize his work from murals that appear at the Belmont station on the Chicago Subway “RedLine” in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, a heavily gay neighborhood sometimes called “Boystown.” He is also the creator of a series of posters for Northalsted Market Days, a 300,000-person street festival that takes place in Lakeview each August. His artwork appears in print and other media throughout the Midwestern U.S. and he has received widespread critical acclaim from the art world. Csicsko has signed on as a consultant for Gay Games VII and will be developing a series of sports and culture-specific icons, posters and designs for collectibles and wearables for the 2006 Sports and Cultural Festival.
“Csicsko’s design was selected from dozens of excellent submissions because it beautifully articulated the themes of the Gay Games and the sentiments of the Chicago host committee,” said Brenda Schumacher, marketing consultant to Chicago Games, Inc. “This new logo has a visual eloquence that speaks of motion, energy, artistry, friendship and exuberance that is at the heart of the Gay Games. The open hands are welcoming, athletic and celebratory. David Csicsko’s design fittingly represents Chicago’s love of public art and civic beauty.”
Logo and Chicago History
This logo also has several elements that brand it unique to Chicago. The waves at the bottom are meant to evoke Chicago’s stunning lakefront. The lakefront’s parks, marinas and harbors will be the site of several of the sports competitions during Gay Games VII. The four red stars on the logo are drawn from the City of Chicago flag. Each star represents a major event in Chicago’s history - the building of Fort Dearborn at the mouth of the Chicago River in 1803, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, and the Century of Progress, a star added in 1933. Each star has 6 points, and each point (all 24) represents a value or characteristic of Chicago. The points on the 3rd star, for example, represent the international history of Chicago and Illinois, first as a territory of France, then Great Britain before becoming part of the United States in 1778 and, finally, Illinois’ statehood in 1818.
Worldwide Naming Contest
As it unveiled the logo, Chicago also announced a naming contest for the figures. “For the next 27 months, the two figures in our logo are going to play an integral role in the promotion of the Gay Games VII brand,” said Kevin Boyer, Gay Games VII Marketing Communications Committee Chair. “We’re already beginning to think of them as part of the Gay Games family, and as with any other family member, they deserve names. The Gay Games belong to the entire world, and so today we invite friends and supporters worldwide to help us name these new family members.” Contest entries will be accepted through Friday, May 21, and the names will be announced May 28. Entry rules are posted at http://www.chicagogamesinc.org. The winner will receive a prize package of logo merchandise, including wearables and souvenir items, plus a pair of tickets to Opening Ceremonies at Gay Games VII on Saturday, 15 July 2006.
About The Gay Games
The Gay Games were conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and were first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), and Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants). Gay Games VII will include 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of inclusion, participation and personal best. For more information, visit GayGames.org.
Chicago Games, Inc. is the host of Gay Games VII and is led by experienced civic leaders from Chicago’s business, sports and non-profit sectors. For more information, visit Chicago2006.org, or email info@chicagogamesinc.org.
