Topic: Cleveland: 2014 Gay Games IX News & Discussion

[MuRrAy HiLL]

How about this for the feel good story of the day

Gay Games judge loved Cleveland so much he moved here: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff
By Michael K. McIntyre
January 25, 2010, 7:00AM
 
Cleveland didn't just win the 2014 Gay Games when it went all out to woo organizers this summer. It won the heart of the site Darl Schaaffselection committee's top judge, too.

 Darl Schaaff, who has lived in Alaska for more than three decades, bought a condo in Ohio City after he was "blown away" by Cleveland.

MORE AT http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2010/01/gay_games_judge_loved_clevelan.html

[doctabroccoli]

We are just that awesome

[UncleRando]

I would attribute the move more to the fact that he lived in freaking Alaska!  Probably trying to get away from the Palin-effect up there...and the lack of normal daylight.

Seriously though, that's awesome. Way to go Cleveland.

[mrnyc]

yay! no grizzly bears, but watch out darl cleveland does have a manbearpig problem -- i'm super serial!

[Ctownrocks1]

CLEVELAND’S ANNUAL 2014 GAY GAMES PARTY “FRIVOLITY”

Cleveland + Akron Ohio USA has the honor and privilege to be the host of the 2014 Gay Games!

Cleveland's annual 2014 Gay Games party is "Frivolity" – our community party! to be held August 20, 2010, 5PM-1AM. This event drew 7000+ guest last year... This year's event will have more entertainment, more vendors and will be much bigger!

Cleveland Synergy Foundation will host A night of music and entertainment to celebrate the 2014 Gay Games coming to Cleveland + Akron!. This is a great opportunity to uplift our community and show vigorous support for Cleveland Synergy Foundation and the 2014 Gay Games, an important social and economic development.

To attend "Frivolity", an invitation will be posted on our website www.synergyfest.org in the near future. You must print and present this invitation for access to the event. This is your chance to tell the world, "My Games Rock!" This is a free event to our guest.

Vendors: Go to SynergyFest.org to sign up for a space. These spaces will go fast.
Entertainers: Go to SynergyFest.org to sign up. These spaces will go fast.

All paper invitations collected for this event will be recycled. For more information please call: 216-664-9551

www.clevelandsynergyfoundation.org
www.synergyfest.org

Thank you!
Cleveland Synergy Foundation
216-664-9551 phone
216-664-9553 fax
[2/22/10]

http://www.outinindy.com/home/news.asp?articleid=33900

[peabody99]

I wonder if we should rent out our condo....

[MuRrAy HiLL]

Boston lashes out at Cleveland Gay Games
Jul 7th, 2010 by Cyd Zeigler jr..

Boston organizers claim the bidding process wasn’t fair or transparent, and that they had the best bid for the 2014 games. They claim the FGG played favorites with Cleveland. One of the organizers, Steve Harrington, is so upset he says he won’t attend the 2014 Gay Games because the FGG didn’t choose Boston.

“This is really systematic of the Federation itself,” [Boston Pride president Linda] DeMarco retorts. “They put themselves out to be an organized organization that is moving forward and growing and they wanted to have sponsorships that would stay with them and take it to the next level. We were able to do that. In the end in Cologne, all they did was step back and use us as a catalyst to go with something far less because we were a threat to them. We were too good.”




I’m not sure that having the attitude that you’d already won the bid (which is what the article says) is the best way to approach a final meeting, but that’s allegedly how Boston approached it. DeMarco said, “I don’t think any of us involved in the process thought that Cleveland was part of the scenario.” That was a huge strategic error on their part. Rule No. 1 in sports: Don’t underestimate your opponent. Hopefully the Boston folks will come around and support Cleveland wholeheartedly, and Harrington will bring his ball back and play.

Frankly, I’m glad Cleveland won. Boston organizers complain that the idea of hosting the Gay Games in a less-gay-friendly place (to make a political statement) was given too much weight by the FGG. I don’t know how much weight it was given, but that’s why I’m glad they picked Cleveland. Part of the FGG’s mission is to change minds and be a visible agent of change. That’s a huge part of why Tom Waddell started the Gay Games. It’s a huge part of why Outsports exists. And I’m glad the FGG is taking their message to Ohio.

Did the FGG make a mistake in picking Cleveland? I don’t know; I guess we’ll find out in four years. But I know this: I’ll be attending the Gay Games in Cleveland for sure, and I hope they have a record number of participants.


http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/07/07/boston-lashes-out-at-cleveland-gay-games/

[David]

What a bunch of whiney b!tches in Boston. It's not an event I would go to but I'm glad Cleveland got it.

[3231]

^sounds like sour grapes.

[willyboy]

^sounds like sour grapes.

Oh trust me, DC is the same.  I wouldnt be surprised if a similar story comes out from DC complaining how it wasnt fair, Cleveland got it.  DC arrogantly thought they won it as well.  Even at the announcemnt ceremony, DC came across as extremely arrogant to the Cleveland contingent and even Boston as if they had it in the bag, talking about how they were going to be doing things etc....  "but We're DC"

All I know is there community rally in DC was beyond pathetic, and frankly embarrasing.  From everything I had seen, Cleveland blew them out of the water. 
 

[David]

^sounds like sour grapes.

Boston thinks its the center of the universe. It's a bitter grape to swallow.

[MyTwoSense]

Child boo. Nobody is thinking about non diverse racist Boston. 
 
DC kick rocks!

[CleveChiNola]

Is anyone really surprised that Boston sports fans are whiney, cockey, b*tches?  Ask any Red Sox fan about the Yankees.

Boston sucks.

[MuRrAy HiLL]

What the hell is going on...??

Letter: Cleveland halts Gay Games funds
Jul 19th, 2010 by Cyd Zeigler jr.

Outsports has obtained a copy of a letter sent from the City of Cleveland to the Cleveland Synergy Foundation stating that the Federation of Gay Games is terminating Synergy’s license agreement for Gay Games 2014 and the City is halting all payments to Synergy. The letter, dated July 7, 2010, is from Tracey A. Nichols, director of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Cleveland.

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/



And then it says the GCSC might be taking over...?

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/07/16/breaking-more-on-gay-games-cleveland/

[willyboy]

Well I dont know and hopefully it doesnt turn out to be anything embarrasing for Cleveland (especially considering how much I was making fun of the Washingtonians)

I certainly dont think it would be a bad thing to have the GCSC handle the event since they have such a great track record, and I always thought they should have a bigger role anyway.

[MyTwoSense]

Well I dont know and hopefully it doesnt turn out to be anything embarrasing for Cleveland (especially considering how much I was making fun of the Washingtonians)

I certainly dont think it would be a bad thing to have the GCSC handle the event since they have such a great track record, and I always thought they should have a bigger role anyway.

Agreed

[8ShadesofGray]

Not to knock Synergy and the terriffic energy they've put into this, but it has not seemed to be the open and transparent organization to date. And I don't know if it really makes sense to put the funds into ramping up a new organization to manage this event when we already have a proven track record with the GCSC. That being said, whoever runs this shindig should actively promote involvement from the LGBT (and friends) community; we should be harnessing the energy of volunteers to make the event an opportunity for focused community development and positive press coverage, and we should be having those conversations now in a more community-driven way. I may just be bitter because I've offered to volunteer a couple times and never received a response back

[CleveChiNola]

it would be great if CSF did the "front of the house duties" being the gracious host, identifying the needs of the LBGT community, directing the feel and look of the events, while the GCSC could do the "back of the house" finanical management, etc.
Thats what I hope is shaking out.

[MuRrAy HiLL]

Not too much new info...but from the PD:

Federation of Gay Games and Cleveland organizers having problems
Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 12:42 PM     
 Mark Gillispie, The Plain Dealer
 
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Federation of Gay Games and the company that is supposed to help produce the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron are at odds, although no one at this point will say why.

Everyone insists, however, that Cleveland remains the host city for the games, which are expected to attract thousands of people from around the globe.


The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is expected to step in and assume a bigger role in organizing the games should the federation sever its ties with Synergy. The sports commission and its head, David Gilbert, organized the successful 38th International Children's Games held in Cleveland in 2004.


http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/officials_mum_about_problems_b.html

[MuRrAy HiLL]

Cleveland synergy has lost it's license:

http://outsports.com/gaygames2010/2010/08/04/cleveland-synergy-loses-gay-games/

from KSU:

http://www.wksu.org/news/story/25965

[MuRrAy HiLL]

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC
http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

[CleveChiNola]

Would they Lebron us?

[MyTwoSense]

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC
http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 
Only people who think we have a bad perception.  I'm so sick of this same song and dance.
 
This has nothing to do with perception, but a legality issue, so I'd like to ask why you question that?

[StrapHanger]

I wonder what's going on with that FGG-Synergy relationship.  Seriously not cool how this is playing out.

[MuRrAy HiLL]

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC
http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 
Only people who think we have a bad perception.  I'm so sick of this same song and dance.
 
This has nothing to do with perception, but a legality issue, so I'd like to ask why you question that?

The perception of ineptness.  How the Cleveland groups( Gay organization and city) are seemingly not strong enough to host the event, hence the perception that has been created.  Now do I personally believe this? No. But the perception is out there now, especially with Synergy going down.

I think with the creation of a new non-profit, and teaming up the the City and GCSC, Cleveland can through a world-class event.

[MyTwoSense]

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC
http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 
Only people who think we have a bad perception.  I'm so sick of this same song and dance.
 
This has nothing to do with perception, but a legality issue, so I'd like to ask why you question that?

The perception of ineptness.  How the Cleveland groups( Gay organization and city) are seemingly not strong enough to host the event, hence the perception that has been created.  Now do I personally believe this? No. But the perception is out there now, especially with Synergy going down.

I think with the creation of a new non-profit, and teaming up the the City and GCSC, Cleveland can through a world-class event.

I'm trying to understand what that has to do with this particular article.  Where does it say or imply that the city isn't strong enough to pull of the event?  This is a licensing/legal issue. This has nothing to do with perception.  The article mentions nothing about perceptions.  If another city had been awarded the games, DC would still be complaining and bitching!

[StrapHanger]

^It's more than a licensing/legal issue- it's the disintegration of the relationship between the group that put the host bid together and the FGG.  Which will be even worse if Synergy turns it into a protracted legal dispute based on its signed agreement.  It's not a stretch to imagine that other cities will revive their bids and apply pressure on the FGG to move the games if things appear to be messy or chaotic in Cleveland.  I'm not predicting that, but MH's fretting doesn't seem baseless.

[MyTwoSense]

^It's more than a licensing/legal issue- it's the disintegration of the relationship between the group that put the host bid together and the FGG.  Which will be even worse if Synergy turns it into a protracted legal dispute based on its signed agreement.  It's not a stretch to imagine that other cities will revive their bids and apply pressure on the FGG to move the games if things appear to be messy or chaotic in Cleveland.  I'm not predicting that, but MH's fretting doesn't seem baseless.

I agree with what you say, but the "worrying" about the licensing and agreement with Games folks, has nothing to do with Cleveland's perception.

[MuRrAy HiLL]

Anyone else hear about this?  Synergy is suing the Federation of Gay Games and the City of Cleveland:

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/09/02/cleveland-synergy-sues-the-gay-games/

[StrapHanger]

^Yup.  Cleveland.com ran an article a few days ago with the news: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/09/synergy_foundation_sues_clevel.html

Synergy Foundation sues Cleveland, Federation of Gay Games claiming they conspired to dump group

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the non-profit group that won the bid to bring the 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland and Akron, claims a high-ranking official from the city of Cleveland conspired with the Federation of Gay Games to yank Synergy's license to produce the Games.

Awesome.

[MuRrAy HiLL]

Bravo Cleveland PD:

Cleveland must forge ahead, undistracted, on Gay Games

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/09/cleveland_must_forge_ahead_und.html

[rockandroller]

I'm not sure if you guys know about this, but there is something terrible going on with the leadership who brought the Gay Games to Cleveland. Frank jackson and some others have kicked them out of the leadership position and it is a very bitter situation. The 2 guys who led the coalition to get the games here worked their ASSES off for YEARS and traveled all over the world to meet with the officials and do the hard work to get the games here, and now it's being taken away from them in what sounds like more stuff the local government shouldn't be meddling in:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/10/federation_of_gay_games_signs.html

[CleveChiNola]

^There has to be two sides to this story.  If it was just City Hall bashing them, I doubt the Federation of Gay Games would simply go along with it. 

[rockandroller]

My feeling is that jackson et al wanted to insert themselves into this for the PR, and oust the original company. I found the complaint online.  http://media.cleveland.com/pdextra/other/144921.pdf

[Hts121]

Rich Haber and Andy Kabat are excellent attorneys.  Some of the better litigators in this town.  But 200+ paragraphs in the Complaint.... sheesh!