News
2006-07-14
Chicago's mayor
asks residents to support Gay Games
With the Gay
Games set to begin in the Windy City on Saturday, Mayor
Richard Daley has urged Chicagoans to attend and embrace the
With the Gay
Games set to begin in the Windy City on Saturday, Mayor
Richard Daley has urged Chicagoans to attend and embrace the
event but said the city would provide a forum for
peaceful dissent.
Police officials
said protest areas have been designated outside
Saturday's opening ceremonies at Soldier Field and near
Wrigley Field, where closing ceremonies are scheduled
to be held July 22. "We encourage those individuals
who wish to express their First Amendment rights to do
so in a peaceful manner," Supt. Phil Cline told the
Chicago Sun-Times.
Kevin Boyer, a
Gay Games organizer, said he anticipates peaceful protests
from those who don't want an event that Daley described as
"more than just an athletic competition" in Chicago.
"Our answer to them," Boyer said, "is that we are
a strong, vital part of this city and that, as the
mayor has indicated, we're welcome. We play a role in
the economic, political, and social vitality of Chicago.
We're ecstatic to be in a place where we're welcomed
by every facet of life, whether it be government,
business, or nonprofits."
Daley, an
outspoken proponent of gay marriage, was asked whether
Chicago's decision to host the Gay Games would enhance his
administration's reputation as being pro-gay. "I hope so.
Yes, definitely," he said to a round of applause from
event organizers. "It's very simple. First of all,
they are great residents of Chicago. They're our
doctors, our teachers, our lawyers. . . . They're involved
in child care. They're parents. They're raising
families. Definitely. They're great citizens of
Chicago." (The Advocate)
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