Cleveland, which is in competition with Boston and Washington D.C. to host the 2014 Gay Games, is the only city to have not formally backed the effort.
Site selection officials from the Federation of Gay Games have concluded their whirlwind tour of all three cities and are expected to make their decision next month.
Allan Dreyer, deputy clerk for Cleveland City Council, confirmed to On Top Magazine that a resolution in support of the Gay Games has not been introduced, despite strong statements of support from Mayor Frank Jackson and leading councilmembers.
Openly gay Washington D.C. Councilmember David Catania is among the four sponsors of a Gay Games resolution introduced in February. Councilmembers Jacks Evans, Jim Graham and Harry Thomas Jr. also sponsored the resolution.
"The Council of the District of Columbia enthusiastically supports the efforts of Metropolitan Washington Gaymes, Inc., in its bid for the Gay Games and looks forward to welcoming participants from around the world to the District of Columbia for the 2014 Freedom Games; and declares February 21, 2009, as '2014 Gay Games Support Recognition Day' in the District of Columbia," the resolution says.
The District's ceremonial resolution was passed on a voice vote March 3, a city spokeswoman confirmed Thursday. Councilmember Marion Barry was absent during the vote.
Boston, with its rich sports traditions, legal gay marriage and a well-organized bid, is presumed by many to be leading the contest. The winning city will get the opportunity to host up to 12,000 athletes competing in 28 events and 100,000 spectators in the summer of 2014.
Boston city leaders unanimously passed a resolution in support of the city's bid to host the 2014 Gay Games last week, gay weekly Bay Windows reported.
All three cities, however, worked hard to impress visiting Gay Games site selection officials.
Cleveland's bid revolves around the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame and Museum, which hosted a large party last month attended by several city councilmembers and the mayor. The party drew thousands to the Rock Hall's doorstep to enjoy entertainment, food and speeches.
Organizers in the District of Columbia rallied in Stead Park, the 1.5 acre Dupont Circle municipal park that boasts facilities for basketball and baseball, as well as a large playground. Mayor Adrian Fenty, several councilmembers, and officials with the Washington Nationals baseball team fired up the crowd.
Boston organizers hosted a more intimate party at Boston's luxurious The Estate nightclub.
"The goals of the Games are to promote the spirit of inclusion and participation and the pursuit of personal growth through a sporting event," At-Large Boston Councilmember John Connolly, author of the resolution to support the effort to bring the games to the city, said in a statement.
"Boston would be proud to host the games, we are a city rich in diversity and athletics, and I believe that we will be the perfect place for such an event," he added.
Official Cleveland Gay Games bid: www.clevelandsynergyfoundation.org
Official Boston Gay Games bid: www.boston2014.com
Official District of Columbia Gay Games bid: www.dcfreedomgames2014.org
Site selection officials from the Federation of Gay Games have concluded their whirlwind tour of all three cities and are expected to make their decision next month.
Allan Dreyer, deputy clerk for Cleveland City Council, confirmed to On Top Magazine that a resolution in support of the Gay Games has not been introduced, despite strong statements of support from Mayor Frank Jackson and leading councilmembers.
Openly gay Washington D.C. Councilmember David Catania is among the four sponsors of a Gay Games resolution introduced in February. Councilmembers Jacks Evans, Jim Graham and Harry Thomas Jr. also sponsored the resolution.
"The Council of the District of Columbia enthusiastically supports the efforts of Metropolitan Washington Gaymes, Inc., in its bid for the Gay Games and looks forward to welcoming participants from around the world to the District of Columbia for the 2014 Freedom Games; and declares February 21, 2009, as '2014 Gay Games Support Recognition Day' in the District of Columbia," the resolution says.
The District's ceremonial resolution was passed on a voice vote March 3, a city spokeswoman confirmed Thursday. Councilmember Marion Barry was absent during the vote.
Boston, with its rich sports traditions, legal gay marriage and a well-organized bid, is presumed by many to be leading the contest. The winning city will get the opportunity to host up to 12,000 athletes competing in 28 events and 100,000 spectators in the summer of 2014.
Boston city leaders unanimously passed a resolution in support of the city's bid to host the 2014 Gay Games last week, gay weekly Bay Windows reported.
All three cities, however, worked hard to impress visiting Gay Games site selection officials.
Cleveland's bid revolves around the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame and Museum, which hosted a large party last month attended by several city councilmembers and the mayor. The party drew thousands to the Rock Hall's doorstep to enjoy entertainment, food and speeches.
Organizers in the District of Columbia rallied in Stead Park, the 1.5 acre Dupont Circle municipal park that boasts facilities for basketball and baseball, as well as a large playground. Mayor Adrian Fenty, several councilmembers, and officials with the Washington Nationals baseball team fired up the crowd.
Boston organizers hosted a more intimate party at Boston's luxurious The Estate nightclub.
"The goals of the Games are to promote the spirit of inclusion and participation and the pursuit of personal growth through a sporting event," At-Large Boston Councilmember John Connolly, author of the resolution to support the effort to bring the games to the city, said in a statement.
"Boston would be proud to host the games, we are a city rich in diversity and athletics, and I believe that we will be the perfect place for such an event," he added.
Official Cleveland Gay Games bid: www.clevelandsynergyfoundation.org
Official Boston Gay Games bid: www.boston2014.com
Official District of Columbia Gay Games bid: www.dcfreedomgames2014.org
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine
