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Vol 1. No 3. December, 1997
Sydney to Host Gay Games
It is assured to be the most vibrant, flamboyant and totally gay and lesbian event on Australia's 2002 calendar. No, it is not the colourful and always controversial annual Sydney Mardi Gras. Indeed, the organisers of Sydney's winning bid to host the 2002 Gay Games are promising a prolonged entertainment program much bigger and better than the two week festival that culminates in the annual Mardi Gras street parade.
Earlier this month, Sydney, the sentimental favourite after losing two previous bids, bet of a strong challenge from Montreal for the right to host the world's largest gathering of queer sportsmen and women.
Other cities vying for the honour were Dallas, Long Beach, Toronto and Minneapolis. It will be the first time the games have been staged outside the Americas.
Unfortunately as Pink Inks deadline loomed, the organisers of the winning bid were still in transit to join the celebrations in Sydney. However, bid chairperson, Tom Seddon, said only hours before the winner was announced that the representatives of the Federation of Gay Games were predominantly North American and there was a feeling they may gravitate to an English speaking city close the US, mentioning Toronto and Dallas.
Bid member Gillian Minervini told one of Sydney's gay and lesbian newspapers, Capital Q, after the final presentation that "there wasn't a dry eye in the house. In particular, the video that we showed at the end of our speeches were very well received. It showed an inclusive view of our community." She made the comments after her and another bid member faced three and a half hours of detail quizzing on all aspects of the bid, including budget, transgender (Catoey) issues and details of the cultural festival planned to coincide with the games.
"We had a warmer reception than we had expected. It has been nothing short but positive so far." Organiser predict more than 12,000 contestants from around the world will compete in the events (many Olympians are homosexuals) attracting over 50,000 spectators bringing in Aus$1.5 million, or 43.5 million baht. It will be hosted at the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and organisers plan to ask a gay or lesbian Koori (Aboriginal) Elder to open the 2002 games.
The ceremony itself will feature an Aboriginal rainbow serpent from the Dreamtime.
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