In a boost to gay
and lesbian athletes across the globe, the hosts of the
2006 Gay Games VII in Chicago have launched a worldwide
campaign to provide scholarships for the event. The
scholarship program, in place since 1994, offers
financial assistance to qualified athletes, along with
help overcoming language barriers and other social
obstacles.
Rosanna
Flamer-Caldera benefited from the Gay Games scholarship
program when she played golf at the 2002 Games in
Sydney. "As an Asian lesbian living in Sri
Lanka with no tangible income, it was necessary for me to
request a scholarship to assist me to participate in the
2002 Gay Games. No one had represented Sri Lanka at
the Games before, and I wanted the opportunity to do
so," she said.
"Building
a team of translators and experts knowledgeable in global
cultural differences and the complexities of international
travel is a large part of the support we plan to
provide for applicants," said Aimee Pine,
scholarship coordinator for the Chicago 2006 host committee.
Requests for
financial assistance will be accepted until January 1, in
advance of the July 15-22 Gay Games. The Gay Games
VII is expecting over 12,000 athletes from 100
different nations competing in 30 sports, including
softball, swimming, and tennis. An arts festival as well
as a series of community-organized social events and
parties will be held along with the athletics.
Scholarship applications and registration information
are available at www.gaygameschicago.org
and www.gaygames.org.
(Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)