The games were organized by Chicago Games Inc.ĭue to the change in host cities, the games were planned in only a one-and-a-half year period. Chicago's re-submitted bid, in comparison to their original 2001 bid, had a downsized budget, was more focused on the central sports and cultural components of the game, put emphasis on safer revenue, and also proposed a more volunteer-organized event. Three weeks later Chicago had signed the licensing agreement for the game.Ī downsized Chicago 2006 group had already been meeting with plans to bid for a future Gay Games before these games became reopened to bid on. LA and Chicago bid in late January 2004, but Chicago won the right to host the games by March 2004. Reopened bidding Īfter Montreal lost the right to host the Gay Games, Chicago, Atlanta, and LA were invited to submit a re-worked version of their earlier bids. ban on HIV-positive foreign tourist, and the relative affordability of Canada. Reasons for Montreal's selection over Chicago and the other bidding cities included guarantees for government funding, U.S. For more information on the change of host cities, see the Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII section of the Gay Games article. The seventh edition of the Gay Games had been awarded to Montreal, Canada, in 2006, but the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) removed its sanction after differences arose between it and the Montréal 2006 organizing committee.
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Ĭhicago had planned to host 20,000 participants and 250,000 spectators in its 2001 bid for the games. Events were also planned to be held at the yet-completed Millennium Park. Proposed venues in Chicago's bid included Soldier Field (opening and closing ceremonies), McCormick Place (volleyball, wrestling, and martial arts), Northwestern University (diving), and the UIC Pavilion (figure skating). These included basketball, beach volleyball, flag football, golf, ice hockey, bodybuilding, rugby, soccer, swimming and diving, a variety of track and field events including a marathon, ballroom dancing and figure skating. Ĭhicago's bid planned to feature 30 athletic contests. Ĭhicago's bid was backed by several corporate sponsors, including Miller Brewing Company, United Airlines and Third Coast Marketing. Ĭhicago's bid placed an emphasis on Chicago's status as a hub of international travel.
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Chicago's bid promised for "a celebration-a multiethnic, spirited family reunion of sorts." Ideas presented included dying the Chicago River rainbow in celebration of gay pride. Ĭhicago's bid team published a 100-page brochure to impress the selection committee. Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles provided opportunities for the Gay Games to return to the United States for the first time since the 1994 Gay Games in New York City. This was Chicago's first time bidding for the Gay Games. The decision was made September 2001 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Montreal. Daley's opening speechįour cities submitted bids. Advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign offered substantial funding for the event, as well. Media relationships were created with the Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Times, and the National Broadcasting Company. Contemporary artists also provided exhibitions as part of the Gay Games.Ĭorporate sponsorship was key in planning Gay Games VII, garnering support for global advertising from large companies like Absolut Vodka, American Airlines, Ernst & Young, Fleishman-Hillard and Walgreens. Cultural events included concerts and performances by Cyndi Lauper, Margaret Cho, Megan Mullally, and others added to the festival's feel and charm. The official Gay Games VII slogan was "Where the World Meets."Īctual athletic events were played in venues scattered throughout Chicago and its suburbs, all participating in the Gay Games through special permissive votes in their respective town or village councils. The competition took place July 15– July 22, 2006.
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The 2006 Gay Games ( Gay Games VII), colloquially called the Chicago Gaymes, was part of a family of international sports and cultural festivals called Gay Games, sanctioned by the Federation of Gay Games and organized by the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community of the host city of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. Comedian Margaret Cho performing at the games