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Illinois House adopts resolution supporting 2006 Gay Games

Illinois House adopts resolution supporting 2006 Gay Games
Event expected to generate up to $80 million in economic activity for city and state CHICAGO - The State of Illinois budget agreement of May 2005 included many painful spending cuts. But at least one group of Illinois lawmakers spent the final few days of the General Assembly Session lining up support for an event that will significantly enhance Illinois and Chicago revenues over the next two years, and generate even more economic activity by improving the States reputation as an exciting travel destination for years to come. As the 94th General Assembly closed, the Illinois State House of Representatives adopted a resolution introduced by State Representative Kenneth Dunkin in support of the 2006 Chicago Gay Games. The Gay Games is an eight-day sports and cultural event that event that will bring tens of thousands of tourists, and as much as $80 million, to the Windy City in July of 2006. I am delighted to have sponsored this resolution, said Dunkin, who represents the near North Side of Chicago. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities of Illinois contribute so much to the economy and culture of this state. The Gay Games has already created jobs and revenue for the businesses of Chicago. In July 2006, Gay Games VII will have an impact on par with some of the citys largest conventions and sports events. It makes good business sense to support this kind of positive economic activity and were delighted to welcome the world to Chicago next year. The 2006 edition of the Gay Games marks the return of the event to North America for the first time in 12 years. Gay Games VII will take place 15-22 July 2006, with Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field, Closing Ceremony at Wrigley Field, and cultural and arts programming at Millennium Park and throughout the City of Chicago. Athletes will compete in 30 sports taking place at venues on the citys west, south and north sides, lakefront, downtown, and Evanston. As many as 35,000 visitors from all over the world will come to the city and another 40,000 to 60,000 Chicagoans will participate as athletes, artists, fans or volunteers. State Representative Sara Feigenholtz was a co-sponsor of the resolution. My district includes so many businesses that will benefit from the Gay Games, she said. More important, this event will be a boon to the entire Chicago community, with events throughout our many diverse neighborhoods. It will also have a long-lasting legacy for this city, promoting our beautiful lakefront and culture community. Representative Dunkin has really stepped up to the plate for the LGBT community, said Chicago Games, Inc. Government Relations Committee co-chairs Tracy Baim and Renae Ogletree. He understands both the economic impact of the Gay Games as well as our mission to break down stereotypes and eliminate bigotry. We thank him for his support of this event and for really getting how much it will impact our community and our economy. The resolution passed by the Illinois House on May 31, 2005, reads: WHEREAS, Chicago will host Gay Games VII from July 15, 2006, to July 22, 2006, as the Games return to North America for the first time in 12 years; and WHEREAS, Gay Games VII will feature 14,000 participants, competition in 30 sports, world-class athletes and artists, band and choral performances, nightly medal ceremonies, a week-long arts festival, parties, and spectacular opening and closing ceremonies showcasing entertainment, pageantry, and a parade of participants from more than 70 countries; and WHEREAS, The Gay Games are open to anyone and have a 25-year history; there are no qualifying events or minimum or maximum requirements; and WHEREAS, Gay Games VI was held in Sydney in 2002 and had an $80 million impact on the local economy and 12,979 registered participants; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the organizers, participants, and attendees of Gay Games VII in Chicago, and we wish a successful event for all; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Chicago Games, Inc., the Gay Games VII host committee. Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place 15-22 July 2006. Over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. The weeklong event will include band, cheerleading and color guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of community-organized social events and parties. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of American-style footballs Chicago Bears. Closing ceremony will be 22 July at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseballs Chicago Cubs, located in the heart of Chicagos largest LGBT neighborhood. For the first time the Gay Games in Chicago will receive widespread television coverage on the Q Television Network. Early sponsors of Gay Games VII include PlanetOut/Gay.com; Q Television Network; Sydney New Mardi Gras; McKnight, Kurland and Baccelli; Mate, Genre, Girlfriends and Pink magazines; Windy City Media Group; and more than 50 business sponsors. Registration for Gay Games VII is now open at www.Gaygameschicago.org/. Information is available in Spanish at www.Gaygameschicago.org/es. Gay Games VII