Cleveland, which is in competition with
Boston and Washington D.C. to host the 2014 Gay Games, is the only
city to have not formally backed the effort.
Site selection officials from the
Federation of Gay Games have concluded their whirlwind tour of all
three cities and are expected to make their decision next month.
Allan Dreyer, deputy clerk for
Cleveland City Council, confirmed to On Top Magazine that a
resolution in support of the Gay Games has not been introduced,
despite strong statements of support from Mayor Frank Jackson and
leading councilmembers.
Openly gay Washington D.C.
Councilmember David Catania is among the four sponsors of a Gay Games
resolution introduced in February. Councilmembers Jacks Evans, Jim
Graham and Harry Thomas Jr. also sponsored the resolution.
“The Council of the District of
Columbia enthusiastically supports the efforts of Metropolitan
Washington Gaymes, Inc., in its bid for the Gay Games and looks
forward to welcoming participants from around the world to the
District of Columbia for the 2014 Freedom Games; and declares
February 21, 2009, as '2014 Gay Games Support Recognition Day' in the
District of Columbia,” the resolution says.
The District's ceremonial resolution
was passed on a voice vote March 3, a city spokeswoman confirmed
Thursday. Councilmember Marion Barry was absent during the vote.
Boston, with its rich sports
traditions, legal gay marriage and a well-organized bid, is presumed
by many to be leading the contest. The winning city will get the
opportunity to host up to 12,000 athletes competing in 28 events and
100,000 spectators in the summer of 2014.
Boston city leaders unanimously passed
a resolution in support of the city's bid to host the 2014 Gay Games
last week, gay weekly Bay
Windows reported.
All three cities, however, worked hard
to impress visiting Gay Games site selection officials.
Cleveland's bid revolves around the
Rock & Rock Hall of Fame and Museum, which hosted a large party
last month attended by several city councilmembers and the mayor.
The party drew thousands to the Rock Hall's doorstep to enjoy
entertainment, food and speeches.
Organizers in the District of Columbia
rallied in Stead Park, the 1.5 acre Dupont Circle municipal park that
boasts facilities for basketball and baseball, as well as a large
playground. Mayor Adrian Fenty, several councilmembers, and
officials with the Washington Nationals baseball team fired up the
crowd.
Boston organizers hosted a more
intimate party at Boston's luxurious The Estate nightclub.
“The goals of the Games are to
promote the spirit of inclusion and participation and the pursuit of
personal growth through a sporting event,” At-Large Boston
Councilmember John Connolly, author of the resolution to support the
effort to bring the games to the city, said in a statement.
“Boston would be proud to host the
games, we are a city rich in diversity and athletics, and I believe
that we will be the perfect place for such an event,” he added.
Official Cleveland Gay Games bid:
www.clevelandsynergyfoundation.org
Official Boston Gay Games bid:
www.boston2014.com
Official District of Columbia Gay Games
bid: www.dcfreedomgames2014.org