Commissioners in
the Crystal Lake Park District on Thursday voted not to
allow a rowing competition that will be part of this
summer's Gay Games in Chicago, saying they believe the
Games are part of an agenda, the Chicago Tribune
reports. With one commissioner on vacation, the board
voted 2-2 on allowing the event to be held on the
lake for which the city is named. The event needed three
votes in favor to be approved.
According to the
Tribune, commissioner David Phelps said he
believes that the Gay Games are more about politics than
athletics. "I do not believe the Crystal Lake Park District
should be a vehicle for the promotion of an agenda,"
he said.
Tracy Baim,
co-vice chairwoman of the Gay Games board of
directors, said she was not surprised. "It's upsetting
that homophobia still lives," she said.
Gay Games VII
will be held July 15-22, with opening ceremonies at
Soldier Field. Scheduled for July 16, the rowing event
is one of 30 competitions that will be held across the
Chicago area that week. (Advocate.com)