Calling All Dances

From Windy City Media:

Calling all dancers: The 2006 Gay Games VII is auditioning volunteer dancers for the opening and closing ceremonies who will work with renowned choreographers Joel Hall, Kevin Iega Jeff, Michele Lynch and Michael Schwandt. The open call is May 21 at Joel Hall Studios, 1511 W. Berwyn, in Andersonville. You must make an appointment through dance@gaygameschicago.org . Bring your picture, resume and clothing sizes. Trained dancers will audition from 10 a.m.-12 noon; urban and club dancers from noon-1 p.m.; and dancers with little experience from 1-2 p.m. The opening ceremony is July 15 at Soldier Field and the closing ceremony is July 22 at Wrigley Field. There’s no pay, but the Gay Games will provide costumes and feed you on rehearsal and performance days. You might even hook up with a hunky jock or jockette.

10:25 AM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

11,000 For Games So Far

Chicago Gay Games Now at 11,000 Participants
ChicagoPride.com, IL -
CHICAGO, IL - Just three weeks after reaching 10,000 participants, Chicago organizers of the 2006 Gay Games announced today that they now have more than 11,000.

10:18 AM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Going Shopping...

Not going to the Gay Games but like tacky shit or maybe you are going to the Gay Games and also like tacky shit? Well from the people who are making the medals for the Gay Games comes Gay Games Jewelry. Okay some of it ain’t bad but oy vey! And if you are lucky enough to win a medal you can buy an engraved case to store it on the mantel. Shop HERE

11:02 AM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Chicago Pride Guide To The Games

Going to the Gay Games this summer? Need a guide to what is going on in Chicago? Well then go to ChicagoPride.com. God did I sound cheesy in promoting that site. But according to Q on the Move on the Q Television Network, "If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of the local GLBT community, you've got to check out ChicagoPride.com.”

ChicagoPride.com is an All-Star sponsor of the Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival so I felt like a plug was over due. Check out ChicagoPride.com.

11:21 AM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Here Are The Medals

The gold, silver and bronze medals for the 2006 Gay Games were unveiled in a special ceremony in front of more than 1,000 people at the "Night of 100 Champions" gala celebration held 22 April 2006 at Chicago's Soldier Field. More HERE

01:57 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Gay Game Profiles

Windy City Media continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Margaret Douglass. Douglass will be participating in Competitive Cycling. MORE HERE

04:02 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Gay Games In The News

One more day. With 10,000 people signed up already for the Games tomorrow the 15th is the last day to sign up. After that you’ll hafta pay more!

Other Gay Games coverage in the news...

pinknews.co.uk - Race for Gay Games Registration

Xtra.ca - Ready, Set, ‘Mo - a very interesting article about the Gay Games vs. Out Sports battle.

Well that is it, have a great weekend all...

01:28 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Gay Games Countdown Profile

Today’s Gay Games Countdown Profile is from Los Angeles based weekly Frontiers. Frontiers profiles the West Hollywood Aquatic Water Polo Team. Click HERE to read the article.

10:59 AM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Countdown To The Gay Games Profile: Scott Robinson

With the less than 100 days to the Games here is another GG's participant profile, Scott Robinson.

One of the things I do on a daily basis is to search for the terms “gay games” and today I found a new website called “Real Jock: Gay Sports & Fitness”. Realjock.com has an interview with a real jock and swimmer and coach for the SF Tsunami. Check it out HERE

01:54 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Gay Gamers Sue Ice Rink

OAKLAND, CALIF. (http://courthousenews.com/) – Two professional figure skaters practicing for the Gay Games VII, to be held in Chicago in July, have sued the Berkeley Iceland rink in Alameda County Court, claiming they were illegally booted from the ice and barred from skating together because of their sexual orientation. Alan Lessik and John Manson-Santoa claim they were barred in violation of a Berkeley ordinance because the rink manager, Monte Tiedemann, objected to the skating while holding hands, which is an integral part of any pairs routine. They seek injunctive relief and punitive damages.

12:56 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

GG's CTA Pass?

The Chicago Transit Authority’s board tabled a proposal to offer a 10-day fare pass for $15 for this summer's 2006 Gay Games. According to the Chicago Tribune people who register for the games would receive a pass for unlimited rides on the transit system from July 14 through July 23, the day after the event ends.

The article reports that the CTA expects that 30 percent of the roughly 10,000 people who register for the games would use the passes. While the other 70 percent who wouldn’t ride the CTA would cover the additional costs to the service since the cost of the pass would be included in registration.

Being one of the 30 percent who plan on taking public transportation I think it’s a great idea. Even if they don’t include it in registration I have no choice but to get on the CTA since I don’t plan on renting a car. Read more on the board’s proposal at the Chicago Trib’s webpage HERE and for those traveling to Chicago check out the CTA’s webpage HERE.

09:33 AM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Welcome The Official Airline of the Gay Games

American Airlines Becomes Official Airline of 2006 Gay Games MORE HERE

05:28 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Dance Gay Boy, Dance!

Whether or a jock or just an athletic supporter you can dance to the Gay Games. Well you can dance to the official CD’s of the Gay Games. Centaur will produce two official CDs for the Chicago Gay Games, including a new dance mix entitled "Gay Games Chicago 2006," mixed by XM Satellite Radio jock Joe Bermudez, who is well known for his smash hit radio mixes for Kelly Clarkson, Shakira and Jessica Simpson. "Gay Games Chicago 2006" will be in stores nationwide on April 4. MORE HERE

05:19 PM in Gay Games Chicago | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Gay Games Profile

Windy City Media continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Terry Mar. Mar plans to compete in tennis. MORE HERE Mar’s body fat percentage is 9%, hate him for that. the17thman is still struggling knocking down his 18% body fat percentage down.

Ca-Ching

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Bureau of Tourism, damn that is a lot of words all strung together, announced that it is providing a $125,000 matching grant for the promotion of Gay Games VII.

More words strung together here on Windy City Media Group.

Gay Games Profile: The Byrne Brothers

Windy City Media continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of the Byrne Brothers. David and Mark, are gay fraternal twins with David planning to play softball and Mark will be playing rugby for the Chicago Dragons. MORE HERE

Gay Game Profiles

Windy City Media continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Ross Forman. Forman plans to compete in basketball. MORE HERE

Esera Tuaolo Talks About Gay Sports

Former Green Bay Packer and Atlanta Falcon Esera Tuaolo speaks to the Canadian magaine Hour about coming out. According to the article, Tuaolo - a Gay Games ambassador who will also sing at the opening ceremonies of this summer's Chicago Gay Games - commented about the simmering feud between the Gay Games and Montreal's 2006 OutGames:

"I don't have an opinion on it because I don't really understand it," Tuaolo replies. "I think if we want this [gay sports movement] to grow like the Olympics, we will have to work together. United we stand, divided we fall. I'm not sure who's at fault. We shouldn't blame one another any more. We should work it out. I'd like to just call it the Games, not the Gay Games."

MORE HERE

Advocate Profiles Gay Games

This week the Advocate profiles Hector L. Torres who will be competing in this summers Chicago Gay Games. Read More HERE !

1

Advocate Cover Story

The current Advocate is running a cover story on the Chicago Gay Games and the Montreal Out Games. The Advocate’s webpage isn’t updated with the cover story as of this morning but here is the cover with cover boy Hector Torres who will be competing at the Gay Games as a triathlete.

Team Sacreamento In The News

TMGWNEWS.com: Team Sacreamento gear up for the Gay Games. Click HERE to get involved.

Chi's Sun Times GG's Coverage

The Chicago Sun Times covers this summers Gay Games. Click HERE for the article. The Times included this little fact sheet:

BY THE NUMBERS

# 50,000: Number of Gay Games participants since first games in 1982.

# 1,000,000: Combined number of spectators at the previous six Games

# 12,000+: Athletes and cultural participants expected in 2006

# 100,000: Spectators and visitors in Chicago during Gay Games week

# 40,000: Expected opening ceremony attendance for Gay Games VII

# 70+: Number of countries expected to take part in Gay Games VII

# 30: Number of sports, recreational to elite level, to be represented

# 6: Number of Gay Games held around the world since 1982 (San Francisco 1982 & '86, Vancouver 1990, New York 1994, Amsterdam 1998, Sydney 2002)

Chicago's CBS Affil Runs A GG's Story

Chicago’s CBS2 profiles the Chicago Force, a woman’s football team who will be competing this summer at the Chicago Gay Games. Click HERE to read and see the story on CBS2’s website.

Countdown To The Gay Games

The Chicago Pride begins it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Jose Benitez. Benitz plans to compete in water polo. MORE HERE

Gay Games Countdown Profile

The Windy City Times continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Dennis Sardenga. Dennis is a founding member of the Chicago Spirit Brigade. MORE HERE

1

Meet Team Tampa Bay

With 8,000 participants signed up for the Gay Games many more people may be interested in signing up but need to look for a team to sign up with, well the17thman comes to your rescue. Well actually the Gay Games website comes to your rescue. Click HERE for a list of Gay Games Partners. In the meantime the17thman will be profiling various teams this time we focus on TEAM TAMPA BAY.

Team Tampa Bay is an an "umbrella" organization dedicated to uniting the various Tampa Bay gay and lesbian athletes to solidly represent our community at the Gay Games. Click HERE for more information.

Closing Ceremony News

247Gay.com - Chicago organizers of the 2006 Gay Games announced this week that Michael Schwandt has been selected to choreograph the spectacular Closing Ceremony that will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. MORE HERE

Tsunami Tsynchro

The San Francisco Bay Guardian is reporting on the country’s first male synchronized swimming team, the Tsunami Tsynchro who will be attending the Chicago Gay Games this summer. Story HERE or visit the Tsunami’s webpage HERE

ay Games Profile

The Windy City Times continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Jonathan Lee. Lee plans to compete in Tae kwon do. MORE HERE

Team Sydney

Sydney’s Star Observer checks in on Team Sydney’s quest to attend both Chicago’s Gay Games and that other event in Montréal. Click HERE

Gay Game Profiles

The Windy City Times continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Peg Grey. Grey plans to compete in volleyball and run the 5k race. MORE HERE

Gay Game Profiles

The Windy City Times continues it’s Countdown To The Gay Games with this week profile of Dave Wagner. Wagner is a sports commissioner for the Games, focused on volleyball. He plans to compete in indoor volleyball and softball, time permitting. MORE HERE

Gay Games News Round-Up

Games ED Talks About the Final Countdown
Windy City Times, IL
He’s been there twice, playing volleyball and serving as his team’s captain at the Gay Games in Amsterdam in 1998 and playing tennis in Sydney in 2002. ...

LA Police Sponsor Gay Games VII
Windy City Times, IL
When the competition commences at Gay Games VII in Chicago next July, officers of the Los Angeles Police Department in uniform will be marching with the ...

Oak Park Offers Possible Gay Games Sites
Windy City Times, IL -
Oak Park-River Forest High School and the Park District of Oak Park have agreed to host events for the 2006 Gay Games—if the village is named as a site for ...

IGLTA Partners with Gay Games Chicago
247gay.com, CA -
The International Gay/Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and the Gay Games VII, Chicago 2006, have entered into a partnership to promote and market their ...

Countdown To Gay Games Profiles

The Windy City Media Group continues it’s Countdown To Gay Games VII with a profile on the nation’s oldest and largest gay basketball league, The Windy City Men’s Basketball League. MORE HERE

Countdown To Gay Games Profiles

The Windy City Media Group continues it’s Countdown To Gay Games VII with this weeks profile of Hector Torres. Torres, from Orlando, Fl. will be competing in the Triathlon More about Torres HERE

Countdown To Gay Games Profiles

The Windy City Media Group continues it’s Countdown To Gay Games VII with this weeks profile of Conscious Soden. Soden will be competing for Team Chicago Pow-Wow in the sport of baseketball. More about Soden HERE

Gay Games News Tidbits

LAPD to recruit at Gay Games in Chicago The Advocate Tue, 27 Dec 2005 11:55 AM PST When the Gay Games opens in Chicago next summer, the Los Angeles Police Department will be in town looking for a few good recruits. The department's aggressive strategy to fill 400 newly created jobs will include offering a written test that applicants can take while at the Games, officials said.

LA Police Department to Recruit At, Sponsor Gay Games Gay Wired Tue, 27 Dec 2005 8:32 AM PST (Los Angeles, CA) - When the competition commences at the Seventh Gay Games in Chicago next July, officers of the Los Angeles Police Department in uniform will be marching with the assembled athletes opening at the opening of the Gay Games VII, Sports and Cultural Festival July 15-22, 2006. The sponsorship of the games by the LAPD marks a first for any major metropolitan police force and will

LAPD To Recruit At Chicago's Gay Games NBC 5 Chicago Tue, 27 Dec 2005 7:09 AM PST The Los Angeles Police Department is pulling out all the stops to find a few good recruits.

Orlando native overcomes odds, rules dance floor Orlando Sentinel Tue, 27 Dec 2005 8:57 AM PST At 22, Richard Lamberty's life was falling apart.

Anti-Gay AFA Turns Sights On NBC
365Gay.com Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:06 AM PST
(Los Angeles, California) The American Family Association is urging its members to flood NBC with letters denouncing the network's new series

Countdown To Gay Games Profile

The Windy City Media Group continues the Gay Games Countdown with this weeks profile of particpant Brian McGuinness. MORE HERE

Gay Games Profile: Richard Lamberty

The Orlando Sentinel ran a story profiling Chicago’s Gay Games particpant Richard Lamberty. Lamberty who has competed in past Gay Games in Amsterdam and Sydney has fought back against rheumatoid arthritis. MORE HERE

Badmiton Comes Out For The Games

The Second City Badminton Team are profiled in the Windy City Media’s Countdown To The Gay Games MORE HERE

Gay Games Profiles

The Windy City profiles Gay Games contestant JOSE “JERRY” BENITEZ. Bernitez’s, a water polo player, profile can be viewed HERE

Playing With Balls and Sticks

The Windy City Media Group profiles the Boystown Pool League and the road to the Gay Games. Click HERE for more info. If you are competing in the 2006 Gay Games and would like to be profiled, spot lighted, linked or mentioned on the17thman feel free to email him at the17thman@comcast.net .

Gay Game Profiles

This week the Windy City Media Groups Countdown to the Gay Games profile is of Jess Weida. Jess whose hometwon is Chicago will be competing in the Javelin Throw. Click HERE for the profile. If you are competing in the 2006 Gay Games and would like to be profiled, spot lighted, linked or mentioned on the17thman feel free to email him at the17thman@comcast.net .

Gay Game Profiles

Another week another Gay Games athlete profile. In it’s weekly focus on the Gay Games the Windy City Media Group profiles two contestants, Brain Walker and Victoria Stagg Elliot. Click HERE for the profiles.

Gay Games Ambassadors

Billy Bean Joins Gay Games Ambassadors MORE HERE

Gay Games Alert

Golf is presently at over 80% capacity. If you intend to golf in the Gay Games, we highly recommend that you register as soon as possible. CLICK HERE

Detriot Aquatics Heads To Chicago

PRIDESOURCE: Team Detroit Aquatics swim club announced that it has twenty members signed up for Gay Games VII in Chicago. The Gay Games will be held July 15-22, 2006.

In August, the Team Detroit Aquatics swim club traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatic Championships. There were over 700 men and women from all over the world at the swim meet competing in swimming, diving, and water polo.

IGLA is the world's foremost international organization solely devoted to developing and promoting aquatic sports among gays, lesbians, and friends. IGLA represents over 10,000 athletes in 16 countries worldwide.

At IGLA championships women and men compete separately in age groups. Swimmers range in age from 20 to 75. Ribbons and points are awarded for the top 10 in each age category. Team Detroit competed in the Medium team category placing 6th place behind San Diego.

One of the medalists for Team Detroit was Chad Steed, who earned one silver medal in the 100 Fly and two bronze medals in the 100 IM and 50 Fly for the 30-34 age group. Steve Padget earned two silver medals in the 400 IM and 200 Back for the 55-59 men's age group. Padget was also honored with a Gay Games participation award given to those swimmers that had special performances during the meet.

Team Detroit members that placed in the top ten individually earning points for the team finish were: Ken Mammo, Ed Hill, Matt Bujold, and Jason Pacyau.

The next IGLA Championships will be in 2007 held in Paris, France.

Team Detroit Aquatics swims two times a week: Friday in Royal Oak at Dondero High and Sunday at Cranbrook and offer several different workouts based on skill level. For more information please visit www.teamdetroitaquatics.org. For more information on The Gay Games VII visit www.chicago2006.org.
source: PrideSource

Gay Games Count Down Begins

The Federation of Gay Games is proud to announce that Sir Elton John has become a Gay Games Ambassador.

Sir Elton said, "I am thrilled to be involved with the Gay Games. For more than two decades the Gay Games have turned a well-deserved spotlight on athletic and cultural performances by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their friends from around the world." MORE HERE

05:00 PM in

Beautiful Blog is posting about the upcoming selection of the host city for Gay Games 2010 with a bit of history of the games. MORE HERE

for daily updates click HERE