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Chicago’s
mayor, reiterating his support for gay
marriage at
the city’s Roosevelt
University on Monday, welcomed the Gay Games to the Midwest Metroplis and
said gay people are key parts of the city’s
economic and social engines. "We're very proud
of the gay community in our city," Mayor Richard
Daley said
in an article appearing in the Chicago Tribune. "Every
quality-of-life issue, the gay community has stepped
forward as great leaders, and this is another example." The
weeklong event, expected to draw nearly 12,000 athletes
from 65 countries, will be staged in 33 venues across
Chicago and the suburbs, beginning Saturday and ending
with closing ceremonies atWrigley
Field on
July 22. The Tribune reports that Daley said he would
attend opening ceremonies at Soldier
Field. According
to Daley, the event could prove to the world that Chicago
would be a fit host for the 2016 Olympics, he said, by
demonstrating its ability to stage a major athletic competition
across a wide area while coordinating police, fire and
emergency medical services. "Gay
Games is like a preliminary for the Olympics," he
said, the Tribune reports. "It's
like a showcase for it." The Tribune reported
that Police Supt. Philip Cline wouldn't
discuss details of Gay Games security but said it will
be similar to staffing for other major events, such as
the Taste of Chicago. Protesters "who wish to express
their 1st Amendment rights" will be guided to designated
areas during opening and closing ceremonies, he told
the Tribune. "We do not anticipate any problems,
and have not received any information to indicate that
an attempt to disrupt the games is in the works," Cline
said. But officials told the Tribune they expect
protesters. "Our answer to them is that we are
a strong, vital part of this city," said Kevin Boyer,
co-vice chairman of the Gay Games Chicago board. "We
play a role in the economic, political and social vitality
of Chicago, and we're ecstatic to be in a place where
we are welcomed by every facet of life.”
© 2006 GayWired; All Rights Reserved.
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