Gay Games welcome
in Chicago suburb after all

Following a heated debate, the Crystal Lake park district board on Tuesday reversed an earlier decision to ban a Gay Games event in the Chicago suburb. Members of a standing-room-only crowd talked about God, sex, and the law in debating the event, reports the ChicagoSun-Times. Some hissed, others clapped, but in the end a rowing event for the 2006 Gay Games was approved to hit the shores of Crystal Lake.

Last Thursday the board was deadlocked in a 2-2 vote over the application by organizers of the Games to use the lake, a highly regarded venue for such events. A tie vote on a measure means a proposal has failed. But a fifth board member was out of town on vacation, and the vote was rescheduled for Tuesday, when the full board narrowly approved the application 3-2.

Board member Jerry Sullivan, who had just returned from Mexico and cast the decisive vote, told the Sun-Times, "I think it shows our openness as a community and our fairness."

Gay Games organizers still have to clear hurdles with city officials and other suburbs. Chicago is host city of the Games. The Gay Games Sports and Cultural Festival will be held in Chicago July 15-22. (Advocate.com)