Cleveland In All-Out Gay Games Bid

Marriage equality may have barely made it to the American heartland, but the financial incentives of gay athletics hold a national appeal in these times of financial crisis.

Boston, Massachusetts was ground zero for marriage equality in the United States, and Washington, D.C. has offered some recognition for gay and lesbian families married elsewhere, but both those cities are vying to host the Gay Games in 2014--and so is Cleveland, Ohio, which entered the competition early on, spurred by the Synergy Foundation, a group dedicated to "measurably enhanc[ing] the economy, image and quality of life in the greater Cleveland GLBT and straight community by attracting and creating significant cultural, athletic and benevolent events and festivals."

According to a Sept. 14 article from local newspaper the Plain Dealer that was posted at Cleveland.com, the city's mayor and city council have come up with a plan for a grant worth $700,000 to help bring to event to Ohio.

The money will only be disbursed in the even that the Games are awarded to Cleveland; if that is the case, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission would receive the funds.

The next Gay Games will take place in 2010 in Cologne, Germany; the host city for the 2014 Games will be disclosed at a meeting of the Federation of Gay Games in Cologne later this month, the Plain Dealer article reported.

Economic Development Director Tracey Nichols was quoted in the article as saying that the grant would show organizers that Cleveland was serious about bringing the Games to town.

Said Nichols, "We're showing in good faith that we want to bring the Gay Games here and are willing to put up some cash."

Added Nichols, "We need to show that this is a strong commitment."

The city stands to recoup much more than the $700,000 it is willing to invest in the Games; the article said that the local economy could benefit to the tune of up to $100 million.

In addition to cash on the barrel for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the city would provide an estimated $1.3 million in funding and support, including logistical and police support, according to a Sept. 15 article at Spangle Magazine.com.

Spangle Magazine also reported that the Cleveland city council had previously approved a domestic partnership registry. The city approved the measure late last year, making Cleveland the third city in Ohio, after Cleveland Heights and Toledo, to create such a registry for smae-sex families.

The state's lawmakers may also be in a position to prove that Ohio is an equality-minded state. A Sept. 15 article at Rod 2.0 reported that the Ohio state House of Representatives was scheduled to vote that same day on an anti-discrimination bill, the first time for Ohio state lawmakers to vote on a measure that would benefit GLBT citizens.

The bill, the Equal Housing and Employment Act, would ban discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Rod 2.0 cited the Dayton Daily News in reporting that the Democrat-dominant House was expected to pass the measure.

The Dayton Daily News article included a quote from Armond Budish, the Speaker of the House, who said, "I think it's very important that we have fairness in employment.

"I think it sends a message that Ohio is welcoming to all."

The Republican-dominated Senate may be less amenable to enshrining anti-discrimination in state law; Senate President Bill Harris questioned the need for such protections, the article noted.

even so, the climate in Ohio has become markedly friendlier to GLBT citizens of the state. The Rod 2.0 article also included a quote from AMERICABlog's Joe Sudbay, who observed that, "It was just five years ago, that the former Secretary of State, Ken Blackwell, led the anti-gay forces in his state.

"It was ugly," Sudbay continued.

"Now, Senator Sherrod Brown, who was elected in 2006, supports marriage equality.

"And, both top candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat of retiring George Voinovich, the current Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and the current Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, are pro-marriage equality," Sudbay noted.

Washington, D.C. hosted a rally last month with the theme of "I'm Game 2014." The city council of the U.S. Capitol also recently approved New York-style recognition of gay and lesbian married families who have wed in other jurisdictions, such as the six states where marriage equality is legal and various countries around the world, such as Canada, Spain, and South Africa, where gay and lesbian families enjoy domestic parity.

Wherever the Games may end up being hosted five years from now, the economic effects will only be part of the picture. A much larger and resonant part is likely to be cultural; as bodybuilder Ron Coleman, who is involved with the Washington, D.C. bid, put it, "It's great to see this huge community of LGBT athletes who are willing to go out there and do their best.

"It's not necessarily about getting a gold medal, but just knowing there's a whole community of LGBT athletes."

From its origins 27 years ago in 1982, when 1,350 GLBT athletes competed in San Francisco in the first Gay Games, the sporting event has only grown in stature and significance.

The 2010 Gay Games, scheduled to take place from July 31-Aug. 4 next summer in Cologne, Germany, have already seen more than 1,700 athletes sign up for the events 34 sporting categories (and four cultural events), with participants hailing from 30 countries across the world, including some Eastern European countries where society still persecutes openly gay people.

A Sept. 14 press release quoted Games Cologne CEO Annette Wachter, who said, "Registrations have increased substantially in the last few months."

Added Wachter, "We are on target to have participation levels of 8,000 to 10,000 next July and August in Cologne."

The release also quoted Federation of Gay Games (FGG) co-president Kurt Dahl, who said, "Now is the time to register for the 2010 Gay Games.

"Early registration secures a participant's spot in a sport or cultural event that may otherwise sell out, and allows Cologne to better plan for next summer's 8th Gay Games," added Dahl.

The FGG's annual meeting will take place in Cologne from Sept. 26-Oct. 2.