Gay Games good for city
Crystal Lake could have the opportunity to be a location for the Gay Games Sports and Cultural Festival.
The games will be held in and around Chicago from July 15 to 22. Representatives are expected to make a presentation as early as March 2, asking to use the city's namesake lake for the Gay Games' rowing competition.
"It's a beautiful, beautiful location that we can show off," Gay Games spokes-man Kevin Boyer told Northwest Herald on Wednesday.
"Our international advisers evaluated every venue possible and determined that it was by far the best within 100 miles of the city," Boyer said.
The games were founded in 1982 by Tom Waddell, who, according to the Gay Games Web site, was a 1968 decathlete. Since then, tens of thousands of individuals have participated in Gay Games events.
The spirit of the games is one of inclusion. Hetero-sexuals are not barred from competing. The Gay Games is a chance for Crystal Lake to be involved with an event that is estimated to include more than 12,000 athletes and artists from more than 30 countries.
Other venues for the games include Northwestern University in Evanston, the University of Chicago, Belmont Harbor, Oak Street Beach and Navy Pier.
The games would be a good draw for Crystal Lake, bringing people and revenue to the city. The races would be free to the public, but the proposal also will include fees to the city and the park district.
There were times when something called the Gay Games would have been shunned.The fact that such an event can be considered a positive draw for a community shows how far society has come.
Still, some bigots will oppose the competition just because participants are gay. But the games combat hatred.
Crystal Lake should be proud to have the opportunity to be a venue for this event. Let's hope the Gay Games come to Crystal Lake.
