Going for GAY GOLD
FOUND THE BRITS PLAYING HARD FOR HEAVY METAL AND THE NINTH GAY GAME TO AT THE NINTH GAY GAMES IN CLEVELAND
In August, the ninth edition of the Gay Games was hosted in northeast Ohio by Cleveland and neighbouring Akron, attracting thousands of participants and spectators from more than 50 countries. With nine days of athletics and cultural programming — not to mention the parties! — it was exuberant, exhilarating, and exhausting.
Cleveland is a sports town, and it gave the Gay Games athletes an energetic and earnest — that is to say, all-American — welcome. As participants lined up by country to march into the stadium, the roar of the crowd waiting in the arena was carried into the tunnel on a wave of thumping rock music.
The first dance number was called “Rubber and Rock” in a nod to the cities’ industries: Goodyear Tire is based in Akron, and Cleveland has the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When American President Barack Obama appeared on the Jumbotron to wish the Games well, it felt fitting, even though the gesture was historic. No head of state has ever offered a welcome at these events.
The sports, which took place at venues across Cleveland and Akron, started bright and early the following morning. Fifty-three year-old Londoner and optometrist Robyn Vinten was at the triathlon site at Vionivich Park in Cleveland at 7am. On this occasion, her sixth Gay Games, she’d win a silver in her age category, but it would only be the beginning of her week. Freshly medalled, she’d head out to Akron for the football tournament.
“I’ve played with a lesbian football team for over 25 years,” she said, referring to the Hackney Women’s FC. “And, I’ve played football at all of the Games.” She and her partner, 48-year old support worker Sue Whitebread, went on to earn matching silver medals on the pitch.
On an adjacent field, London’s first gay football team, Stonewall FC, was making history by winning the championship for the fourth consecutive Games.
“We won in Sydney, Chicago, Cologne, and now Akron. It was a great honour to come to Ohio and successfully defend our title against some fantastic teams,” said 38-year old manager Eric Najib, adding, “especially New York.” In a squeaker of a final match, Stonewall bested the New York Ramblers, 2-1.
While the football tournament raged on in Akron, things were also heating up in Cleveland. At the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium at Cleveland State University, 40-year old Brian Jacobson broke his own world record in the 50 free swim, with a time of 23:31. The Minneapolis native is a former USA National Swim Team member who competed at the 2012 Olympic trials — but elite athletes weren’t the only ones pushing the limits.
New York City native Ida Keeling also made headlines for her performance in the 100-metre sprint. Keeling, who is a 99-year old great-great grandmother, finished her race in 59.8 seconds, becoming the first person in the 95- 99 age category to ever complete in an internationally-certified event.
While merely adolescent in comparison, the Cruisers basketball team triumphed in the Masters 35+ division. The hybrid team was made up of players from Canada, America, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and England — but each member had some association with the original Cruisers team from London.
“We beat an amazingly strong team [the Rockdogs] in the final,” Cruisers coach and point guard James Edden said. “We had previously lost in double overtime against these guys so knew we had to step up in the final. We know the Rockdogs very well on and off the court and it was a really emotional game as they are such a great bunch of guys. It was a nail-biting game. We just squeezed through.” The win marked the Cruisers’ third consecutive gold at the Games.
The nightlife at the Games was just as intense. During the week, Festival Village welcomed hundreds of revellers daily for live music and performances, and the late-night schedule was packed. The week was bookended with highprofile appearances. On Monday, Boy George helmed the White Party and impressed the crowds with his DJ set and the Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic took the Friday night slot at Festival Village. In between, the House of Blues served up nearly non-stop fun and friskiness, while the Velvet Dog welcomed the women. From the Leather Stallion bear bar to the women-only event at Trinity Cathedral to the Team Canada welcome mixer, most everyone could find a party to suit their proclivities.
By the end of the week, athletes and allies alike were moving slower. Happily worn out from the sports, culture, and parties, the visitors said their good-byes and returned to their homes.
We can only hope that Team UK wasn’t too tuckered out. After all, they’d still have to lug home their suitcases full of shiny new medals.
“London’s first gay football team, Stonewall FC, was making history by winning the championship for the fourth consecutive Games”