How Cleveland landed Gay Games 2014
Score this round for the Buckeyes. Entering the race as an overwhelming underdog, Cleveland was selected as the presumptive host of the 2014 Gay Games, knocking out strong bids from Washington, D.C., which finished second, and Boston.
Cleveland and the Federation of Gay Games will now begin negotiating a final license agreement and are schedule to sign the license before the end of the year. If they fail to reach an agreement within six months, the FGG would begin negotiations with Washington, D.C.
"I think Cleveland will stun everyone in the universe," said Darl Schaaff, site selection officer for the FGG. "The people are charming and the sports facilities are great. I think all three are world class cities who brought talented teams completely connected to the community. Anyone of them would have been a great host."
Cleveland's universe may already be stunned. All three cities came in with histories of long, strong LGBT sports involvement, but Boston and Washington, D.C., were hoping higher international awareness of them in the international community, as well as their connection to current political events such as same-sex marriage and the election of Barack Obama would resonate with Gay Games selectors and help put them over the top. But off the record, several FGG voters said they felt that the Gay Games could do more to change cultural perceptions in America's heartland, much as the Gay Games in Chicago did.
"The City of Cleveland is prepared to roll out the welcome mat to the LGBT athletes, their families and spectators from around the world," said Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson. "Fans of the Gay Games will find that Cleveland is a great place to celebrate sports and culture and that we have tremendous assets and amenities for them to enjoy. The sports and cultural environment here is truly a uniquely Cleveland experience, one they will cherish for years to come."
The city of Cleveland has already legislated $700,000 to support the organizers. With that and other hefty pledges from regional tourism agencies, Cleveland said it was prepared to start pushing hard to raise awareness of next year's Gay Games in Cologne.
Everything Cleveland Synergy Foundation did made its bid stand out. Smaller, well-balanced budget, a local political community that was aggressively engaged, a decision by the group not to wear team shirts as Boston and D.C. did when they made their presentations, opening their session with loud rock, hugging each other on the stage with every microphone exchange -- everything signaled that this was a group unlike any other.
"I think we were able to show ourselves," bid spokesperson W. Doug Anderson said. "I think that may be what put us over the top."
Boston's message was "We're Boston" and Washington's message was "We're D.C."
Cleveland's message was, "We're not."
When Gay Games community rallies to support the bids were held in Boston and Washington earlier this year, they drew crowds of a few hundred. In Cleveland, more than 7,000 turned out.
The vote was conducted as part of an ongoing annual meeting of the Federation of Gay Games in Cologne, Germany--site of next year's Gay Games. Vote totals will not be released until next year according to FGG policy.
The Gay Games are expected to draw as many as 12,000 athletes and cultural participants, more than 100,000 tourists and spectators, and provide a $100 million jolt to the local economy. The 2006 Gay Games drew roughly 140,000 visitors and pumped more than estimated $70 million into the Chicago metropolitan area.