First day of competition at Gay Games a success despite heat

News 2006-07-18 First day of competition at Gay Games a success despite heat Gay Games get off to a great start Some of the Gay Games' 12,000 athletes from aro

Some of the Gay Games' 12,000 athletes from around the world kicked off the first day of competition Sunday in Chicago. As the heat index rose to 100, competitors in 14 events, including bowling, swimming, and tennis, turned out around the city to show not only their sports ability but also their pride, The Chicago Tribune reports.

"I've never seen anything like this," Ben Thompson, 24, a University of Chicago student who was volunteering at the Games with his boyfriend, told the Tribune. "It's like a giant weeklong sports party. We're trying to pack in as much as we can."

Crowds ranging from a few people to several hundred showed their interest and support at venues throughout Chicago and its suburbs, particularly in Crystal Lake, where the rowing competition occurred Sunday. Earlier this year the event caused controversy in the town when some residents—and local officials—decided they didn't want to host it.

Permission for the competition on the town's lake was granted anyway, and although several protesters showed up in opposition on Sunday, they were outnumbered by an enthusiastic audience of at least 650, the Tribune reports. The frequent cheers from the crowd drowned out the protesters' antigay message.

"I totally forgot about it until we got here and I saw the protesters," Cindy Poe, the only lesbian competing as part of the Mendota Rowing Club from Madison, Wis., said of the fading controversy. "My attitude is, I'm going to do my thing and let them do theirs."

Added fan Sandra Davidson: "I came here to let [protesters] know I have every right to be here—and to be seen. We made a point to come to this event because of the controversy."

And although a heat advisory was in effect, only two athletes—a tennis player and a cheerleader—had to be taken to the hospital for heat-related conditions, a Gay Games spokesperson said. (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (0) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

More Online Only

Art Shut Your Facebook

Leif Harmsen isn't just anti-Facebook — he's so against the social networking site, the gay artist has created a "Shut Your Facebook" T-shirt line just to drive the point home.

News Features How Gay Is Too Gay for GMA?

For years people have joked that GMA stands for Gay Morning America. But if the decision to cancel Adam Lambert's appearance is any indication, Jon Barrett says, this is one show that is not gay enough.

News Features Unrest at UCLA
Police in riot gear, students laying in the streets -- sounds like the UCLA of the 1960s. But with rising costs and slashed LGBT history courses, is holding the UC Board of Regents captive a necessary move for gay students?

Film Awards Shows Gone Gay

From Rob Lowe singing with Snow White to Madonna and Britney swapping spit, Adam Lambert's racy AMA performance reminded us of some of the great gay moments in awards-show history.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Rihanna, New Moon

Whether you spend your time jamming to Rihanna's Chris Brown kiss-off "Russian Roulette," in theaters with those lusty male vampires- or curled up on the couch with Scarlett O'Hara, it's a packed week in entertainment.

Washington D C View From Washington: The DADT Shuffle

A gay White House employee offered his very first interviews to the LGBT press while Congress took one step forward and one step back on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal in 2010.

Art The Kids Are All Right
Photographer Jeffrey Kilmer has dedicated the last seven years to capturing the awkwardness, rebellion, and personal style of young men across the country and around the world. His book, 23% PURE, is a collection of hot guys, far and wide.

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.