View source for 2006 Gay Games

{{Short description|LGBT multi-sport event in Chicago, Illinois, US}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=December 2014}}
{{Update|date=May 2010}}
}}

{{Infobox games
| name          = VII Gay Games <br />Chicago 2006
| logo          = Gay Games VII Logo.svg
| size          =
| caption       = Games logo
| host_city     = [[Chicago]]
| country       = [[United States]]
| motto         = Where the World Meets
| nations       = 70
| athletes      = 11,500
| events        = 30 sports
| opening       = {{Start date|2006|07|15}}
| closing       = {{End date|2006|07|22}}
| opened_by     = 
| athlete_oath  = 
| judge_oath    = 
| torch_lighter = 
| stadium       = [[Soldier Field]] (Opening Ceremonies) and [[Wrigley Field]] (Closing Ceremonies)
| website       = 
| previous      = [[2002 Gay Games|Gay Games VI]]
| next          = [[2010 Gay Games|Gay Games VIII]] 
}}

[[File:Margaret Cho wearing the Team San Francisco jacket (192601333) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Comedian [[Margaret Cho]] performing at the games]]
The '''2006 Gay Games''' ('''Gay Games VII'''), colloquially called the '''Chicago Gaymes''', was part of a family of international [[sports]] and cultural festivals called [[Gay Games]], sanctioned by the [[Federation of Gay Games]] and organized by the [[gay]], [[lesbian]], [[bisexual]], [[transgender]] community of the host city of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Illinois]] in the [[United States]].  The competition took place July 15– July 22, 2006. The official Gay Games VII slogan was "Where the World Meets."

Actual athletic events were played in venues scattered throughout Chicago and its suburbs, all participating in the Gay Games through special permissive votes in their respective town or village councils.  Cultural events included concerts and performances by [[Cyndi Lauper]], [[Margaret Cho]], [[Megan Mullally]], and others added to the festival's feel and charm.  Contemporary artists also provided exhibitions as part of the Gay Games.

Corporate sponsorship was key in planning Gay Games VII, garnering support for global advertising from large companies like [[Absolut Vodka]], [[American Airlines]], [[Ernst & Young]], [[FleishmanHillard|Fleishman-Hillard]] and [[Walgreens]].  Media relationships were created with the [[Chicago Sun-Times]], ''[[The New York Times]]'', ChicagoPride.com and the [[NBC|National Broadcasting Company]].  Advocacy groups like the [[Human Rights Campaign]] offered substantial funding for the event, as well.

==Bidding process==
Four cities submitted bids. [[Los Angeles]], Chicago, [[Atlanta]] and [[Montreal]]. The decision was made September 2001 in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]].<ref name="AHistory">{{cite book |last=Symons |first=Caroline |title=The Gay Games: A History|date=May 2, 2012|publisher=Routledge|series=Routledge Critical Studies in Sport|isbn=978-0415688666}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mattias |first=Karen |date=September 23, 2001 |title=Los Angeles L.A. Group to Make Bid to Host 2006 Gay Games |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-23-me-48914-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=Los Angeles |url-status=live |access-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413204158/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/sep/23/local/me-48914 |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/los-angeles-gay-games-bid-group-announces-national-advisory-board-72702807.html |title=Los Angeles Gay Games Bid Group Announces National Advisory Board |date=October 24, 2003
 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=www.prnewswire.com |accessdate=January 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812041538/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/los-angeles-gay-games-bid-group-announces-national-advisory-board-72702807.html|archive-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name=running>{{cite news |last1=Warren |first1=Ellen|last2=Armour|first2=Terry|last3=Riveda |first3=Karen |date=August 13, 2001 |title=Chicago in the running to host 2006 Gay Games
 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/08/13/chicago-in-the-running-to-host-2006-gay-games/ |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |location=[[Chicago]] |access-date=November 9, 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123858/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-08-13/news/0108130114_1_gay-games-mayor-richard-daley-chicago |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>

This was Chicago's first time bidding for the Gay Games. Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles provided opportunities for the Gay Games to return to the United States for the first time since the [[1994 Gay Games]] in [[New York City]].<ref name=running/>

Chicago's bid team published a 100-page brochure to impress the selection committee. Chicago's bid promised for  "a celebration--a multiethnic, spirited family reunion of sorts." Ideas presented included dying the [[Chicago River]] rainbow in celebration of gay pride.<ref name=scoop>{{cite news |last=Zorn |first=Eric |date=September 4, 2001 |title=City in running for Gay Games, so here's scoop |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/09/04/city-in-running-for-gay-games-so-heres-scoop/ |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |location=[[Chicago]] |access-date=November 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710200935/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-09-04/news/0109040116_1_gay-games-mayor-richard-daley-quadrennial-event |archive-date=July 10, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Chicago's bid placed an emphasis on Chicago's status as a hub of international travel.<ref name=running/>

Chicago's bid was backed by several corporate sponsors, including [[Miller Brewing Company]], [[United Airlines]] and Third Coast Marketing.<ref name=running/>

Chicago's bid planned to feature 30 athletic contests. These included basketball, beach volleyball, flag football, golf, ice hockey, bodybuilding, rugby, soccer, swimming and diving, a variety of track and field events including a marathon, ballroom dancing and figure skating.<ref name=scoop/>

Proposed venues in Chicago's bid included [[Soldier Field]] (opening and closing ceremonies), [[McCormick Place]] (volleyball, wrestling, and martial arts), [[Northwestern University]] (diving), and the [[UIC Pavilion]] (figure skating). Events were also planned to be held at the yet-completed [[Millennium Park]].<ref name=running/>

Chicago had planned to host 20,000 participants and 250,000 spectators in its 2001 bid for the games.<ref name=Obstacles>{{cite news |last=Zorn |first=Eric |date=November 24, 2001 |title=Obstacles keep '06 Gay Games from Chicago |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/11/24/obstacles-keep-06-gay-games-from-chicago/ |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |location=[[Chicago]] |access-date=January 20, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326135612/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-11-24/news/0111240139_1_gay-games-jonathan-franzen-tube |archive-date=March 26, 2016}}</ref>

===Games awarded to Montreal ===
The seventh edition of the Gay Games had been awarded to Montreal, [[Canada]], in 2006, but the [[Federation of Gay Games]] (FGG) removed its sanction after differences arose between it and the [[2006 World Outgames|Montréal 2006]] organizing committee. For more information on the change of host cities, see the [[Gay Games#Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII|Schism in LGBT sports communities over Gay Games VII]] section of the [[Gay Games]] article.

Reasons for Montreal's selection over Chicago and the other bidding cities included guarantees for government funding, U.S. ban on HIV-positive foreign tourist, and the relative affordability of Canada.<ref name=Obstacles/>

===Reopened bidding===
After Montreal lost the right to host the Gay Games, Chicago, Atlanta, and LA were invited to submit a re-worked version of their earlier bids. LA and Chicago bid in late January 2004, but Chicago won the right to host the games by March 2004. Three weeks later Chicago had signed the licensing agreement for the game.

A downsized Chicago 2006 group had already been meeting with plans to bid for a future Gay Games before these games became reopened to bid on. Chicago's re-submitted bid, in comparison to their original 2001 bid, had a downsized budget, was more focused on the central sports and cultural components of the game, put emphasis on safer revenue, and also proposed a more volunteer-organized event.<ref name=AHistory/>

==Organization==
The games were organized by Chicago Games Inc.
Due to the change in host cities, the games were planned in only a one-and-a-half year period.

The host committee encountered some difficulty in securing a rowing venue in suburban [[Crystal Lake, Illinois]]. There was local opposition to the prospect of the community hosting the LGBTQ sporting event. As a result, the suburb's park board rejected the host committees application to host their rowing competitions in the village. However, a week after rejecting the proposal, the park board reversed their decision in a 3-2  vote, granted the Chicago Games Inc. approval to host their rowing competitions in Crystal Lake.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Place |first1=Greg |last2=Schmidt |first2=Shawn |title=Good Business. Good Policy: The Economic Impact of Hosting GLBT Sporting Events |journal=Parks & Recreation |date= 2012 |volume=47 |issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Long |first=J. |date=2006 |title=Gay Games tests suburb: debate is an event for Crystal Lake |work=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wooten |first=A. |date=March 8, 2006 |title=Crystal Lake rowing clears hurdle |work=Windy City Times |location=Chicago }}</ref>

===Finances===
The 2006 Gay Games, which were attended by an estimated 150,000 spectators and featured over 12,000 athletic and cultural participants, became the first edition of the Gay Games in over 20 years to turn a profit. The Chicago Games organizers managed to break even and create a meager profit. In contrast, the Montreal OutGames reportedly lost US$4 million. The financial success of the Chicago games was announced a year after the close of the games. According to Kevin Boyer, the co-vice chair of Chicago Games Inc., the final total cash budget of the 2006 games was slightly over US$9 million. He reported that there were an additional, "$13.2 million in barter and in-kind sponsorships which included, among other categories, media and marketing ($7.2 million), legal service, cash handling, technology consulting, and waived facility rentals." The state of Illinois provided a 1.4% of the cash budget through a $125,000 tourism grant. CGI managed to fill a budget gap of approximately $300,000 (3% of the cash budget). According to Boyer, this was accomplished, "with additional fundraising from donors and sponsors, especially longtime Gay Games competitors and supporters Dick Uyvari and Joe LaPat, as well as negotiated reductions in expenses with some of our vendors." Boyer added that CGI, "also continued to aggressively pursue post-Gay Games revenue from DVD, photo, and merchandise sales as well as the sale of hard assets such as furniture, technology, and equipment."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontopmag.com/mobile/article.aspx?Id=3469|title=Three Cities Bid For Gay Games 2014|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=March 18, 2009|website=www.ontopmag.com|publisher=On Top Magazine|accessdate=November 24, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035624/http://www.ontopmag.com/article/3469/Three_Cities_Bid_For_Gay_Games_2014 |archive-date=August 31, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Brigham">{{cite news|url=http://ebar.com/blogs/2006-gay-games-breaks-even/|last=Brigham|first=Roger|title=2006 Gay Games breaks even|date=July 11, 2007|newspaper=[[Bay Area Reporter]]|accessdate=September 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922023731/http://ebar.com/blogs/2006-gay-games-breaks-even/|archive-date=2015-09-22|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=success>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/4708201 |title=Chicago's 2006 Gay Games Declared a Financial Success |date=July 10, 2007 |website=chicago.gopride.com |accessdate=September 3, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116112902/http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/4708201 |archive-date=January 16, 2016 }}</ref>

Seven months prior to the opening of the games, organizers had already secured 6,000 paid registrants and accumulated the first pre-Games financial surplus in the history of the Gay Games.<ref name=gotgames>{{cite news |last=Fitzgerald |first=Mark |date=February 2006 |title=Chicago publisher has 'got Games' this July |work=Editor & Publisher }}</ref>

===Travel===
The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world to deny entry to visitors infected with [[HIV]], a condition which causes [[AIDS]]. The Federal government ruled that non-United States citizens with HIV or AIDS would be allowed to travel to attend the Gay Games in Chicago. The provision of such a waiver had the support of [[Mayor of Chicago|Chicago's Mayor]] [[Richard M. Daley]] and Illinois-elected [[US House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Jan Schakowsky]]. Waivers for travel restrictions regularly have been provided for events such as the [[Olympics]] and international conferences. The previous Gay Games in the United States, the [[1994 Gay Games]], received a similar waiver from then-[[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Agrees to waive HIV/AIDS travel rule
 |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-02-07/business/0602070163_1_gay-games-hiv-or-aids-human-immunodeficiency-virus |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |location=[[Chicago]] |date=February 7, 2006 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095810/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-02-07/business/0602070163_1_gay-games-hiv-or-aids-human-immunodeficiency-virus |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>

==Outreach program==
Chicago Games Inc. organized a successful outreach program which enabled 120 scholarship athletes from [[South Africa]], [[Croatia]], United States, [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Eastern Europe]], Asia, and South America to attend the games.

== Opening ceremony ==
{{Content|date=March 2008}}
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 250
 | header = 2006 Gay Games opening ceremony
 | image1 = SoliderFieldAug2004.jpg
 | caption1 = Soldier Field hosted the opening ceremonies of Gay Games VII.
 | image2 = Gay Games 2006.jpg
 | caption2  =
 | image3 =Gay Games 2006 opening ceremony (192600948) (cropped).jpg
 | caption3  = Opening ceremony
}}
40,000 people attended the ceremony which took place in Chicago's [[Soldier Field]] on July 15, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalgayz.com/usas-gay-games-opening-ceremony-2/627/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013357/https://www.globalgayz.com/usas-gay-games-opening-ceremony-2/627/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=USA – Gay Games: Opening Ceremony |date=January 1, 2011 |website=globalgayz.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 }}</ref>

===Program===
The concept for Opening Ceremony, conceived and directed by Kile Ozier, was to tell the parallel stories of the evolution of the GLBT Community as a community and as individuals; giving it a global context and relevance.  The four acts represent the four stages of this evolutionary process as envisioned by the Director: Exclusion - that moment when we discover that we may not fit into the world as we might have thought, growing up ... the moment of discovery of difference; Oppression - the manifestation and formalization of the dynamic initiated in Exclusion ... homophobia, gay bashing, contemplation and execution of suicide out of despair ... ending with the embracing of self and the beginnings of hope; Expression - the power of community and standing up for oneself, of coming out of the closet, finding Like Others, celebration of individuality and difference within even our own communities; Ignition - the taking of all this powerful energy and philosophy and lighting the world with the ideals of enlightenment and acceptance.

At the midway point of the Ceremony was the "Exhortation to a Weary Army", a reinvigoration to the community in the worldwide fight against AIDS, given from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and tribute to Tom Waddell, the founder of the global Gay Sports movement and the Gay Games.

The ceremony consisted of five parts:<ref name="opening">{{cite web|author=Chicago Games |url=http://www.gaygameschicago.org/images/ceremonies/Opening/OCprogram.pdf |title=Opening Ceremony Program |accessdate=2006-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810062506/http://www.gaygameschicago.org/images/ceremonies/Opening/OCprogram.pdf |archive-date=August 10, 2006 }}</ref>

''' Prologue '''
* DJ [[Frankie Knuckles]], the "Godfather of [[House music|House]]" (a genre of music which originated in Chicago) played music for the prologue
*The Procession of over 11,000 athletes and participants of Gay Games VII in a record 46 minutes
*Oath to the Athletes and Participants led by [[David Kopay]]
*The National Anthem of the United States of America - Christy Fairbairn Hasselson, Windy City Gay Idol 2006
*Oath to the Officials - [[Billy Bean]], [[Saskia Webber]]
*Welcome by Chicago Games Inc. - Co & Vice Chairs: Sam Coady, Suzanne Arnold, Tracy Baim, Kevin Boyer
* Responsibility for Change - [[Megan Mullally]]
*Welcome by Chicago Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]]

''' Act I "Exclusion" '''
[[File:Kate Clinton.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kate Clinton]] at Soldier Field during the opening ceremony.]]
* Choreography by [[Iega Jeff]]
*Special appearance by [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]]'s [[Andy Bell (singer)|Andy Bell]]
* Presentation by [[Kate Clinton]]
*Welcome - Co-Presidents of the international [[Federation of Gay Games]]: Kathleen Webster and Roberto Mantaci
*Legends of Women's Music: [[Holly Near]], [[Barbara Higbie]], [[Nedra Johnson]], [[Teresa Trull]]

''' Act II "Oppression" '''
* Choreography by [[Joel Hall]]
* Special Appearance by [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]]'s [[Andy Bell (singer)|Andy Bell]]
* Presentations by [[Staceyann Chin]], [[George Takei]], [[Jorge Valencia]]
* Rainbow Run for the End of HIV and Cancer: Brent Nicholson Earle, Rob Hadley, Renae Ogletree, Modesto "Tico" Valle
* Tribute to [[Tom Waddell]], founder of the Gay Games Movement
* Tom Waddell Award- presented by [[Greg Louganis]] and Jessica Waddell Lewinstein
* Performance by [[Jody Watley]]
* Keynote address by United States Ambassador [[James C. Hormel]]
* The Quilt - [[Keith Boykin]] delivering the "Exhortation to a Weary Army"

''' Act III "Expression" '''
* Choreographed by [[Michele Lynch]]
* Performance by the cast of "[[Avenue Q]]"
* Presentations by [[David da Silva Cornell]] who read from "Knocking On Your Closet Door; Come Out and March With Us" and by [[Margaret Cho]]
* Erasure's [[Andy Bell (singer)|Andy Bell]] sings "A Little Respect"
* "Proud" - [[Heather Small]]
* Presentation of the Federation of the Gay Games Flag
* "Take the Flame" the Official Anthem of the Gay Games, performed by [[Esera Tuaolo]]

''' Act IV "Ignition" and the Lighting of the Flame '''
* Choreographed by [[Christopher Harrison (choreographer)|Christopher Harrison]]
* Introduced by [[Suzanne Westenhoefer]]
* Ignition of the flame
* Exit

===Mayor Richard M. Daley's opening speech===
<blockquote>"On behalf of all the people of Chicago, I'm delighted to welcome you to the seventh Gay Games. I want to acknowledge the Co-Chairs of Chicago Games, Suzanne Arnold and Sam Coady, Vice Co-Chairs Tracy Baim and Kevin Boyer, as well as their staff and all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make these games a reality. I would also like to thank the Federation of Gay Games, for choosing Chicago as the 2006 host City and for carrying on the vision of Tom Waddell. Chicago is pleased and honored to have been selected to host this historic event, and you could not have chosen a more appropriate site."<ref name='gaygameschicago.com'>{{cite web|url=http://gaygameschicago.com/ |title=Gay Games Chicago |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 30, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517093001/http://gaygameschicago.com/ |archive-date=May 17, 2014 }}</ref></blockquote>

== Venues ==
[[Image:Wrigley field 720.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Wrigley Field hosted several field events and the closing ceremonies (note: this photo is of an unrelated, [[Chicago Cubs]] baseball game).]]
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
Competitions were held at 33 venues across Chicago and its suburbs.<ref name=Oly>{{cite news |last=Noel |first=Josh |date=July 11, 2006 |title=Gay Games a test for Olympics, Daley says
 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/07/11/gay-games-a-test-for-olympics-daley-says/ |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |location=[[Chicago]] |access-date=November 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114335/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-07-11/news/0607110108_1_gay-games-chicago-gay-community-mayor-richard-daley |archive-date= March 4, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Badminton]]: [[Oak Park and River Forest High School|Oak Park High School]] and [[River Forest High School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Badminton |title=Badminton |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930021002/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Badminton |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> 
*[[Basketball]]: [[University of Illinois at Chicago|UIC]] Physical Education Building <ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Basketball |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930014636/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Basketball |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=Basketball |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Beach volleyball]]: [[North Avenue Beach]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Beach%20Volleyball |title=Beach Volleyball |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719023244/http://www.gaygameschicago.org/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Beach%20Volleyball |archive-date=July 19, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*[[Bowling]]: Waveland Bowl and Diversey Bowl<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Bowling |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930122217/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Bowling |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=Bowling |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Cycle sport|Cycling]] ([[criterium]], [[road bicycle racing|road race]], time trial, [[mountain biking]]): [[Sherman Park]], [[Washington Park (Chicago park)|Washington Park]] and Palos Forest Preserve<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Cycling |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930020934/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Cycling |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=Cycling |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Dancesport]]: [[Hilton Chicago]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=DanceSport |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013526/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=DanceSport |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=DanceSports |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Darts]]: [[Hilton Chicago]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Darts |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013415/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Darts |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=Darts |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Diving (sport)|Diving]]: [[Norris Aquatics Center]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Diving |title=Diving |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930020929/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Diving |archive-date=September 30, 2014 }}</ref>
*[[Figure skating]]: McFetridge Park <ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Figure%20Skating |title=Figure Skating |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930020932/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Figure%20Skating |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*[[Association football|Soccer]]
*Flag football: [[Washington Park (Chicago park)|Washington Park]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Flag%20Football%20 |title=Flag Football |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013640/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Flag%20Football%20 |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*[[Golf]]: [[Jackson Park (Chicago)|Jackson Park Golf Course]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Golf |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930014637/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Golf |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=Golf |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*Half marathon: Lakeshore Marathon Course <ref name='Marathon'>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Marathon |title=Marathon |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930020935/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Marathon |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*Ice hockey: American Heartland Ice Arena <ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Ice%20Hockey |title=Ice Hockey |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013639/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Ice%20Hockey |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*Marathon: Lakeshore Marathon Course<ref name=Marathon/>
*Martial arts: [[Gerald Ratner Athletics Center]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Martial%20Arts |title=Martial Arts |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930014631/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Martial%20Arts |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*Physique: [[Welsh-Ryan Arena]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Physique |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930014633/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Physique |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |title=Physique |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref>
*Pool billiards <ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Pool%20Billiards |title=Pool Billiards |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013517/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Pool%20Billiards |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*Powerlifting: [[Welsh-Ryan Arena]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Power%20Lifting |title=Power Lifting |website=gaygameschicago.om |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013509/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Power%20Lifting |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*Racquetball: Lakeshore Athletic Club <ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Racquetball |title=Racquetball |website=gaygameschicago.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930013603/http://gaygameschicago.com/sports/sports.php?mgroup=Racquetball |archive-date=September 30, 2014 }}</ref>
*Road races 5/10K
*Rowing: [[Crystal Lake, Illinois|Crystal Lake]]<ref>{{cite news |date=April 5, 2006 |title=Illinois town council OKs Gay Games |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-05-gay-games_x.htm |newspaper=USA Today |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116112902/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-05-gay-games_x.htm |archive-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref>
*Rugby
*Sailing: [[Lake Michigan]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outsports.com/2014/4/14/5598706/gay-games-9-cleveland-sailing-emy-ritt |title=For Sailor, Gay Games have been 'greatest gift of all' |last1=Ritt |first1=Emmy |date=April 14, 2014|website=www.outsports.com |publisher=OutSports |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908062854/http://www.outsports.com/2014/4/14/5598706/gay-games-9-cleveland-sailing-emy-ritt |archive-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref>
*Softball
*Squash
*Swimming: [[Gerald Ratner Athletics Center]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalgayz.com/gay-games-2006-chicago-swimmin-2/690/|title=USA – Gay Games: Swimming & Sports|website=www.globalgayz.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424091251/http://www.globalgayz.com/gay-games-2006-chicago-swimmin-2/690/ |archive-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref> 1.5k Open Water Swim: [[Lake Michigan]]
*Synchronized swimming<ref name=AHistory/>
*Tennis: [[Northwestern University]] and [[Waveland Tennis Center]]
*Track and field: [[Hansen Stadium]]
*Triathlon: Lakefront Triathlon Course
*Volleyball [[Navy Pier]]
*Water polo<ref name=AHistory/>
*Wrestling: [[Northwestern University]]<ref name=AHistory/>

===Other events===
[[File:20080602 Wrigley Square cropped.jpg|thumbnail|Medal ceremonies were held at [[Wrigley Square]].]]
*Band concerts: [[Millennium Park]]<ref name="events">{{cite web |url=https://www.events.org/viewevent_3661.htm |title=2006 Gay Games VII Chicago Sports and Cultural Festival |website=www.events.org |accessdate=September 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006113746/https://www.events.org/viewevent_3661.htm |archive-date=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Cheer exhibition: [[Millennium Park]]<ref name=events/>
*Choral concerts: [[Millennium Park]]<ref name=events/>
*Closing ceremony: [[Wrigley Field]]<ref name=events/>
*Color guard exhibition: [[Millennium Park]]<ref name=events/>
*Medal ceremonies: [[Millennium Park]] ([[Wrigley Square]])<ref name=events/>
*Opening ceremony: [[Soldier Field]]<ref name=events/>
*''Sports Equality Day'' conference: [[Roosevelt University]]

== Sporting events ==
{{Expand section|date=September 2014}}
[[Image:Gay games ad gerald farinas.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Lake View East Chamber of Commerce advertised Gay Games VII throughout its neighborhood.]]

=== Results ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Badminton Singles <ref name='gaygameschicago.org'>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaygameschicago.org/sports/home.php |title=Gaygameschicago.org |publisher=Gaygameschicago.org |accessdate=2013-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060807233811/http://www.gaygameschicago.org/sports/home.php |archive-date=August 7, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
! Gold
! Silver
! Bronze
|-
| Men's T
| Dexter Giffard <br /> ''(Chicago, IL, USA)''
| Chris van der Westhuizen <br /> ''([[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin|WI]], USA)''
| Mark Scrivener <br /> ''([[London]], [[United Kingdom|UK]])''
|-
| Men's A
| Collin Koo <br /> ''([[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia|BC]], [[Canada]]'')
| Richard Liu <br /> ''(London, UK)''
| Aaron Ray Antonio <br /> ''(Chicago, IL, USA)''
|-
| Men's B
| Dariusz Zieba <br /> ''([[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], [[Arizona|AZ]], USA)''
| Martin Kraemer <br /> ''([[Munich]], [[Germany]])''
| Malcolm Banks <br /> ''(London, UK)''
|-
| Men's CC
| Ron Ng
| Dennis Fong <br /> ''([[San Leandro, California|San Leandro]], [[California|CA]], USA)''
| Lucas Wonn <br /> ''(Chicago, IL, USA)''
|-
| Men's C
| AJ Jamal <br /> ''([[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], CA, USA)''
| Jeff Weber <br /> ''(Chicago, IL, USA)''
| Rick Jun Li
|-
| Women's A
| Cindy Lee <br /> ''([[Austin, Texas]], [[Texas|TX]], USA)''
| Suanne Au <br /> ''([[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], [[Nebraska|NE]] USA)''
| Amy Ma <br /> ''([[Arlington Heights, Illinois|Arlington Heights]], IL, USA)''
|-
| Women's B
| Laura Grieve <br /> ''([[San Francisco]], CA, USA)''
| Bonnie May <br /> ''([[Florence, Massachusetts|Florence]], [[Massachusetts|MA]], USA)''
| Ilse Aben <br /> ''([[Amsterdam]], [[Netherlands]])''
|-
| Women's C
| Coni Staff <br /> ''([[Forestville, California|Forestville]], CA, USA)''
| Karen Shoffner <br /> ''([[Elk Grove Village, Illinois|Elk Grove Village]], IL, USA)''
| Emma Lou "Scottie" Scott <br /> ''([[Houston]], TX, USA)''
|}

{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

== Closing ceremony ==
{{Expand section|date=September 2014}}
[[Image:Cyndi Lauper at Gay Games VII.jpg|right|frame|Cyndi Lauper sings at Gay Games VII's Closing Ceremony at Wrigley Field.]]
The Games' closing ceremony was held  July 22, 2006 at [[Wrigley Field]]. 25,000 spectators attended. Mayor Richard M. Daley handed over the flag to the Deputy Mayor of [[Cologne]], host of the next Gay Games.<ref name=gaygameschicago.com/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalgayz.com/gay-games-06-chicago-closing-ceremony/724/ |title=Gay Games 06 Chicago Closing Ceremony
 |date=January 1, 2011 |website=globalgayz.com |accessdate=September 29, 2014}}</ref> Performers included, amongst others, [[Cyndi Lauper]].

==Broadcast and coverage==
The 2006 Gay Games received an unprecedented level of media coverage, both ahead of and during the Games.<ref name=AHistory/> The games benefited from its leadership's media connections, with Baim being the founder and producer of the [[Windy City Times]] and Boyer being a prominent Chicago [[public relations]] manager.<ref name=AHistory/><ref name=gotgames/> Early into the planning of the games, media sponsorship from 67 companies and media outlets secured US$7 million of advertising and editorial space.<ref name=AHistory/>

The games were to be exclusively aired on the [[Q Television Network]] after they signed an exclusive deal with the Chicago organizers worth $3.2 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20041206005614/en/Gay-Games--R---Chicago-Signs-3.2-Million-Broadcast#.VLaz5WTF8rM |title=Gay Games--R-- Chicago Signs $3.2 Million Broadcast Rights Deal with Q Television |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=December 6, 2004 |website=www.businesswire.com |accessdate=January 14, 2015}}</ref> QTV had agreed to make their broadcasts available in over 150 markets worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pleasedancewithme.com/pridespiritdec2004.htm|title=10, 9, 8, 7… The Countdown Is On! Early Registration Closes New Year's Eve! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= December 2004 |website= www.pleasedancewithme.com|accessdate=January 14, 2015}}</ref> This deal later fell through though,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=18751 |title=Q Television Network calling it quits? |last=Keen |first=Lisa |date=May 18, 2006 |website=www.pridesource.com |accessdate=January 14, 2014}}</ref> and the games were instead covered through a number of media outlets.<ref name=AHistory/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://the17thman.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/05/qtv_terminated_.html |title=QTV: Terminated TV|website= the17thman |first=Joel|last=McKenna|publisher=[[TypePad]]|date=May 25, 2006|accessdate=January 16, 2015}}</ref>

The games received coverage on [[CNN]], [[NBC]]'s ''[[The Today Show]]'', and [[The Weather Channel]].<ref name=AHistory/> 700 media representatives from 250 different outlets were awarded credentials during the games. Local papers featured front-page coverage of the Games.<ref name=AHistory/> [[Fleishman-Hillard]] donated time and expertise to make sure that stories covering the games were published in [[Europe]], South Africa, Australia, and the US.<ref name=AHistory/> Major media sponsors of these games included [[Sirius XM Radio]], [[Logo TV]], ''The New York Times'', [[Out.com]] and [[Gay.com]].<ref name=AHistory/> Additionally, local Chicago newspapers, such as the [[Chicago Sun-Times]] and the Chicago Free Press, served as sponsors.<ref name=gotgames/>

==Sponsors==
[[File:Team SF members Alan & Johnny (194986639).jpg|thumb|Figure skaters standing in front of a banner proclaiming [[American Airlines]]' sponsorship of the games]]
The Gay Games received an unprecedented level of corporate sponsorship for its 2006 edition. Among the more than 300 sponsors that provided financial contributions and in-kind support to the Games were [[American Airlines]], [[PepsiCo]], [[Glaxo]], [[Orbitz]], [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]'s [[Logo TV]] channel, [[Sirius XM]], [[ESPN]], [[Ernst & Young]] and Chicago-based companies like [[Kraft]] and [[Walgreens]].<ref name="Marketwatch">{{cite web |url= http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sponsors-flock-to-gay-games |title= Corporate giants flock to Gay Games |last= Spain|  first=William|date=July 11, 2006 |website= www.marketwatch.com |publisher= Market Watch |accessdate=January 22, 2015}}</ref>

Individual sponsorship ranged from $500 to over $1 million.<ref name=Marketwatch/>

==Legacy==
The games were the first in over 20 years to make a profit.

The games were estimated to have between a $50 and $80 million financial impact on the host city.<ref name=success/>

Chicago would go on to launch an, ultimately unsuccessful, [[Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics|bid]] for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]]. It was felt that Chicago's experience hosting the Gay Games might boost its chances of winning its Olympic bid.<ref name=Oly/>

==See also==
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Sports}}
* [[Gay Games]]
* [[Federation of Gay Games]]
* [[1st World Outgames]]
* [[National Gay Basketball Association]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.gaygames.org/ Federation of Gay Games]

{{Gay Games}}
{{Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gay Games Vii}}
[[Category:LGBTQ events in Illinois]]
[[Category:2006 in multi-sport events]]
[[Category:2006 in American sports]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Chicago]]
[[Category:Gay Games|2006]]
[[Category:2006 in LGBTQ history]]
[[Category:LGBTQ history in Chicago]]
[[Category:2006 in Chicago]]
[[Category:2006 in sports in Illinois]]
[[Category:Multi-sport events in the United States]]