Seeks To Host Gay Games

July 31, 2009 Posted by Matthew Conaster in News And Scoops

Cleveland and Akron are rolling out the rainbow-colored carpet this weekend in hopes of nabbing the 2014 Gay Games. Site selectors for the Federation of Gay Games are touring the two cities over the next three days to help determine if Northeast Ohio can host the Olympics-style competition. Cleveland is one of three finalists for the sporting event, which is open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation. Boston and Washington, D.C., are the other potential hosts.

''Our key message is about affordability, accessibility and value,'' said Michael Murphy, a spokesman for the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the group that organized Cleveland's bid.

Organizers are holding a free public party — dubbed ''Frivolity'' — at 8 p.m. today at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Cleveland's lakefront. They hope thousands of people show up to demonstrate their support for the event. The suggested theme for the Cleveland Gay Games is ''My Games Rock.'' The Gay Games, held every four years, started in San Francisco in 1982. Chicago and Sydney, Australia, also have hosted the competition. Next year, the event will be in Cologne, Germany. The 2014 host city will be announced Sept. 29 in Cologne. The competition could lure up to 65,000 athletes and spectators to Northeast Ohio, and have a $60 million to $80 million economic impact on the region, organizers say. Even though Cleveland is the official host, Akron would play a large role. Firestone Country Club has volunteered to host the men's and women's golf tournaments. Softball games would be held at Firestone Stadium, the home of the Akron Racers professional team. Rodeo events would be at the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge. And the marathon would follow the route of the established Road Runner Akron Marathon. ''This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity,'' said Susan Hamo, president of the Akron and Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is helping with the effort to land the event. She estimated that the economic benefit to the Akron area from direct spending alone could be $12 million. Hamo also said the games would bring national and international exposure to Akron. ''I don't know how we put a price on that,'' she said. Hamo dismissed any potential criticism by anti-gay groups. Three Gay Games site selectors will visit various sports venues, study public transportation and gauge the community's overall desire to host the competition this weekend. ''It's a big event,'' said Dennis Sneyers, one of the site selectors who lives in Chicago. ''It's very similar to the Olympics but it doesn't get the media exposure.'' He organized Chicago's bid for the 2006 competition before becoming a site selector. He also has participated in the Gay Games. Sneyers estimated that the event had a $35 million to $40 million economic impact on Chicago. It boosted tourism before and after the competition, and increased the athletic participation of gays and lesbians in the community, he added. Sneyers and the other site selectors will be in Akron on Saturday. County Executive Russ Pry and Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic plan to attend a lunch at Firestone Country Club to offer their support. The site selectors will visit Boston and Washington after Cleveland. For more details about Cleveland's bid or the Gay Games, go online to: http://mygamesrock.org/ or http://www.gaygames.com.

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