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March 04, 2006
Gay Games Hit Another Snag
Posted at March 4, 2006 11:43 PM in Gay & Lesbian Issues .
Compiled by the DiversityInc staff
© 2006 DiversityInc.com®
March 03, 2006
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Organizers of this summer's Gay Games in Chicago will have to find a new location for the rowing events after the Crystal Lake Park District rejected a proposal to host the event in the town.
Crystal Lake town board Commissioner David Phelps did not side with other board members who believed the games would have been an ideal showcase for the town's landmark lake. He says 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," Phelps said.
This, however, is not the first time the event has caused controversy. In its planning stages, conservative organizations were angered by several corporate sponsors (See also: Conservative Groups Angry Over Gay Games Sponsorship).
Tracy Baim (Windy City Times), co-vice chairwoman of the Gay Games' board of directors, attributed the latest problem to discrimination. "It's upsetting that homophobia still lives," she said.
Gay Games VII (registration required) will begin on July 15, with opening ceremonies at Soldier Field. The rowing event is scheduled for July 16 and is one of 30 competitions that will be held throughout the Chicago area that week, the Chicago Tribune reports.
(See also: Gay Games to Have 8,000 Participants)