3 to Know: Legacies of the Gay Games

Panel from left to right: David C. Barnett, ideastream senior reporter and producer; John Grafton, board member, Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation; Phyllis Harris, Thomas Nobbe and Michelle Tomallo

As snow swirled outside and below zero temperatures enveloped the town, the City Club of Cleveland bell rang once again. Just more than six months after the closing ceremonies of Gay Games 9, a panel met Feb. 19 to discuss the lessons and legacies of the Gay Games. For our August 2014 cover story, we did the same, examining the impact and difficulties of the LGBT community on Cleveland, centered around the games. Economically, the Gay Games were estimated to have had a $52.1 million impact. Nearly 75 percent of games attendees came from outside of Cleveland.

Safety was a top priority, said Phyllis Harris, executive director of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Her organization conducted 40 trainings at the Cleveland Police Department academy over 40 weeks before the games. Harris led some of the classes herself, teaching 40-50 police officers at a time. "It was scary and it was life changing," she said. "In a way I think it set the tone for much of the training that continued to happen throughout the year."

The community center is in the process of purchasing a new headquarters building with an anonymous $1.8 million donation, announced during the games. The center has been located in a Gordon Square storefront since 1999. The network established during the games was instrumental to their move, said Harris. "People listen if I call now," she said. "They want to collaborate now, they had a good experience."

Here's three things you need to know from the discussion:

1) The 2014 Gay Games were the most profitable in the history of the organization, finishing with a surplus of $150,000. "From the outset of planning the games, our board and staff were really determined to see that these games finished in the black," said 2014 Gay Games executive director Thomas Nobbe.

2) The $150,000 surplus will be donated, with 80 percent going to form a new Gay Games legacy fund at the Cleveland Foundation, and 20 percent to the Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation.

3) Though the Gay Games were certainly a symbol of progress, both the panel and attendees were quick to emphasize that Ohio does not provide legal protections for same-sex couples. "We had all this grand success and there was all this celebration. It literally was palpable, all the energy, vibrancy and love," said Michelle Tomallo, president of the board of directors of Plexus, the LGBT chamber of commerce. "All of that happened in the context of a state where we don't have any protections for the exact people that we're celebrating."

Radio Show Host Ken Schneck Says Cleveland is So Gay

It's been seven years since Ken Schneck's radio show, This Show Is So Gay aired its first episode in Brattleboro, Vermont. Two hundred and eighty episodes later, the associate professor and director of the Leadership in Higher Education Program at Baldwin Wallace University is hosting the show in Cleveland. "The central theme of the show is, 'How can you use your voice in your own unique way to make a difference?' " says Schneck, whose show is broadcasted online and on iTunes. "I wanted to reclaim the idea of something being 'so gay' and actually have it be so gay."

His next guest coming up, 19-year-old Caleb Laieski, is a former commentator on the show. At 15 years old, he was trying to build transitional housing for homeless LGBT youth, but now he's returning for the 281st episode after he filed the first ever federal lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration to fight the ban on gay men donating blood. "I can't think of a guest on the show who hasn't had the most incredible experience," Schneck says, having hosted everyone from emerging indie-pop stars A Great Big World to openly gay comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer.

We asked Schneck to give us three things that make Cleveland so gay, and he delivered.


1. The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland is stealing the spotlight after receiving a $1.8 million donation and a $500,000 matching grant from the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation to relocate and expand its facility. "Everyone should be keeping their eye on what's going on there, because they're going to continue to take an even greater role in building community here in Cleveland," says Schneck. "They already do incredible work, but I think they're on the cusp of just upping the ante even more."

2. Cleveland welcomed LGBT visitors and allies from all over the world in August to participate in the Gay Games 9 by flying rainbow flags all over the city — and some of them are still flying. "[These] visual artifacts make such a difference for visitors and for people who live here, and it sends a really strong message in a state that is in the minority right now," he says, noting that Ohio does not have marriage equality and employment protection.

3. Sometimes it's all about the good vibrations — and Cleveland is still roaring with pride months after the Gay Games left. Just next month, on Nov. 2, the LGBT center is hosting an event to keep that momentum going. "There seems to always be some sort of rally or book reading or drag show where you can go and meet new people," he says. "It's one of those things that you can easily take for granted, but given the larger umbrella of the lack of equality in Ohio, Cleveland is definitely so gay."

How Gay Are We:GG9 Ends with Hot 7 Deadly Sins After-party

The Gay Games closed its weeklong event with a rather steamy, sinful bash at the House of Blues Saturday night. With dimmed lights, candle-lined bars and local go-go boys personifying the seven deadly sins, the official after-party was underway. Celebrity transgender model, Amanda Lepore invited Murray Swanby, Pablo Hernandez and Cory Zwierzynski from Andrew Christian, a popular men's underwear line, onto the stage after Real Housewives of New York City star Carole Radziwill hand-selected 10 hunks from the crowd to dress down and dance alongside them. Famous for their music videos and known for targeting the gay community with their brand, the Andrew Christian models threw free underwear into the crowd before joining the party. As the night went on, models danced on elevated platforms while several members of the crowd stripped down, and when the lights came on at 2 a.m., it was clear that no one really wanted to leave it all behind.

Murray Swanby, Pablo Hernandez, Cory Zwierzynski and Amanda Lepore

Carole Radziwill and Amanda Lepore looking fabulous in the Foundation Room

The Andrew Christian boys take the stage.

Pride in the Moment: Day Four

The Gay Games brings out true competitors. Cleveland-area photographer Billy Delfs shot this image of an ice hockey player at the OBM Arena in Strongsville Wednesday. See more pictures from Delfs and three other area photographers in Summit Artspace's online exhibit Pride in the Moment at prideinthemomentgg9cle.com, prideinthemomentgg9cle.org, akronareaarts.org and gg9cle.com. Check our blog each day for another photo. 

Ice Hockey, OBM Arena, Aug. 13
Photo Credit: Billy Delfs

How Gay Are We: The Cleveland Fury Debuts as a LGBT-Friendly Soccer Team

It had been 10 years since Ted Rosati had laced up his cleats for anything close to a formal competitive soccer game, but that never meant he stopped loving the sport. With the Gay Games coming to Cleveland, Rosati realized his hometown didn't have a LGBT-friendly soccer team. So he created the Cleveland Fury to compete in the games. After months of practices at Cleveland's Michael J. Zone Recreation Center, the Cleveland Fury debuted in two matches today at the Copley Road Soccer Fields in Akron. "I am looking forward to the games," says Rosati. "I've got a lot of pent up soccer in me."

Young Start: "I grew up playing it, since I was 5 years old," says Rosati. "My dad played for CSU and ingrained it in my and my sisters."Rosati played soccer competitively through high school, but stopped in college, hitting the field only recreationally.

Masking His Identity: "Not many people came out in high school," Rosati says. "I wasn't even out at the time." It was common in the sports culture at his high school to act a certain way: tough, aggressive, competitive. "If they're [a player of] the more sensitive type, they're labeled very negatively," he says. "Those are things I've heard and definitely pushed me deeper into the closet."

 Field Work: Starting a new job at MetroHealth helped Rosati reconnect with soccer through pickup games — and get involved with Cleveland's LGBT community. "I never really embraced gay culture, to be honest," says Rosati. "I joined the gay-straight alliance at work, and two months later the people leading it asked me to be the chairperson." It was through that role that Rosati learned about the Gay Games. "They [MetroHealth] gave $25,000 to the Gay Games for scholarships," he says, referring to awards that would help selected athletes pay for expenses such as entry fees.

Team Effort: "Even though there's a lot to handle, it's been great," says Rosati, on creating Cleveland's first LGBT-friendly soccer team for the game."We're being ambassadors to the sport." Over half of his team's  18 players are LGBT, so for once, he's in the majority. "Being with these guys ... they embrace the culture," he says. "It's the first time I feel like I could be myself. I don't have to hold back anything."

Update 8/13: So far, the Cleveland Fury has went 4-0 in the Gay Games soccer competition. The team kicks off its next game at 10 a.m. Thursday against the San Francisco Spikes.

How Gay Are We: GG9 Opening Ceremony Excites, Offers Surprises

Participants from Ohio enter the Quicken Loans Arena for the Gay Games 9 Opening Ceremony.

The Gay Games 9 Opening Ceremony was nothing short of astounding as participants from more than 50 countries and 48 states were welcomed Saturday night at the Quicken Loans Arena. The procession of participants was led by San Francisco, host of the first Gay Games in 1982, and countries that sent one representative received the loudest applause, among them Bulgaria, Chile, Iceland and Liberia. But the level of noise was incomparable when the Russian Federation arrived and they were greeted with hugs from Gay Games staff and volunteers and received a standing ovation from thousands of spectators. Akron joined the celebration with three drag stars as they performed Tina Turner's “Proud Mary” while dancers used giant tires as props in homage to the city's reputation for being the Rubber Capital of the World. The ceremony featured appearances by Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis and performances by Lance Bass and Bella Blue, Andrea McArdle, the Pointer Sisters and a breathtaking number by Glee star Alex Newell singing “I Know Where I've Been.” Plus, there were plenty of surprises, including a personal message from President Barack Obama and an address from Sen. Sherrod Brown and his wife Connie Schultz. “Welcome to the state of Ohio where we are moving ever closer, with one court ruling at a time, to marriage equality,” Schultz said. “In Northeast Ohio, we celebrate love in all its forms. We celebrate families in every configuration.” Michelle Tomallo, board president of Plexus, was among six local LGBT activists tasked with passing on the torch to New Zealand's Olympic speed skater, Blake Skjellerup. Check out our photos below, and stay tuned as we continue with daily coverage of the games.

Mexico's soccer team Didesex arrives at the opening ceremony. Photo Credit: Christopher Hawks

Photo Credit: Christopher Hawks

Lance Bass and Bella Blue perform their single, “Walking On Air.”

Dancers clad as superheroes perform to Bonnie Tyler's “I Need a Hero.”

Alex Newell and Andrea McArdle kick up the sass and perform Broadway hit “Take Me or Leave Me” from Rent.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic welcome Gay Games participants.

The Pointer Sisters kick off their set list with “I'm So Excited.”

Gay Games participants, city officials and Federation of Gay Games members celebrate the closing of the opening ceremony as the Pointer Sisters perform.

How Gay Are We: Night Before 9: Out For Art

Hundreds of Gay Games participants and art fanatics showed up in their best-dressed to the Cleveland Museum of Art last night for a fabulous pre-Gay Games celebration Friday night. Against a backdrop of rainbow-colored lights, Escort, a 15-piece electronic disco orchestra, performed with all of its members for the third time in eight years outside of New York City, bringing down the house while guests danced and kicked back in a nearby club-inspired lounge area in the recently renovated atrium. A few familiar faces from Cleveland Magazine's "Out Loud" cover package were in attendance, including Jacob Nash and his wife Erin and George Vassos and his husband, Henry Hawley. Also in attendance was Phyllis Harris, executive director of the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland — and she had a lot to celebrate. Just two days ago, the center received a $1.8 million dollar donation from an anonymous source and a $500,000 matching grant from the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation, allowing possible relocation and expansion of its facilities and programs. There's much more to celebrate now that the Gay Games are here in Cleveland, and the Night Before 9 was the perfect event to kick off a prideful week.

Jacob and Erin Nash

Phelan Spence, Mindy Roth and Brittany Lynne

George Vassos

How Gay Are We: Out and About During GG9

Let the games begin. Yes, Gay Games 9, kicking off Friday, offers more than 35 sporting events, but it's also one hell of a coming out party. In addition to these three epic soirees and five diverse cultural events, this week is packed with these 16 can't-miss prideful events — from a drag show in the water to a poignant photo exhibit of LGBT families — that are wickedly fun but also socially conscious.

Aug. 8
Night Before 9: Out in Art
Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-707-6875, $25, 8 p.m.-midnight
Escort, described as a powerful party disco orchestra, performs its critically acclaimed tunes for LGBT A-listers and allies at this kick off bash. Disc jockey Darrell Stout opens.

To Be Takei
Nightlight Cinema, 30 N. High St., Akron, 330-252-5782, $8.50, 9:30 p.m., Aug. 8, 5 & 9:30 p.m., Aug. 9, 9:15 p.m., Aug. 15, 5 & 8:45 p.m., Aug. 16
You may know him as Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek, or if you’re like us, Kaito from NBC's Heroes. But he’s also an openly gay man advocating for LGBT rights on social media and making his way onto your newsfeed. This documentary addresses his crusade, plus his time spent in a Japanese-American internment camp during WWII.

Aug. 9
International Rainbow Memorial Run
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 1100 E Ninth St, Cleveland, 216-479-6470, Free, 8:30-10 a.m.
Before each Gay Games, hundreds of people across the map participate in rainbow runs with the final leg being ran at the host city on the opening day of the games. This 1-mile run, which begins at the Rock Hall and loops around FirstEnergy Stadium, is in memoriam of all the members of the Gay Games family lost, particularly to AIDS and breast cancer.

Love Makes a Family
Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Second floor gallery, Cleveland, 216-479-6470, Aug. 9-17
Having been used to prevent bullying in schools, universities and other settings, this poignant traveling exhibit chronicles LGBT families through pictures and interviews.

Neon Party
Bounce, 2814 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-357-2997, 9-11 p.m.
The popular gay club has a party every night of the games, but be sure to stop by this one featuring drag divas Varietese and Pepper Mashay. Lance Bass and some GG9 athletes are expected to show, plus look out for specials on Svedka, $3, and Three Olives, $5.

Aug. 10
Festival Village
Mall C, 602 St. Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, 216-479-6470, Free, Aug. 10-15
RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Pandora Boxx hosts events Monday through Friday, but don't miss electro-pop musician Bright Light Bright Light Tuesday and Detox, a fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant, Thursday.

Hot in Cleveland Casino Night
Horseshoe Cleveland, 100 Public Square, Cleveland, 855-746-3777, Free, 8 p.m.-midnight
At Vintage 51 on Level 2 of the Horseshoe Cleveland, DJ Smoov spins as male models and showgirls mingle with guests and special drink Taste the Rainbow, $5, gets served in a commemorative glass.

Trans* Pride Party
The Velvet Dog, 1280 W. Sixth St., Cleveland, 330-240-1600, Free, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Transgender people from throughout the world can meet to talk about issues or just kick back and relax on the roof of the Velvet Dog in an inclusive environment. A local DJ spins and free hors d'oeuvres are provided.

Aug. 12
Queer Christians: Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future
United Church of Christ Amistad Chapel, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, 216-736-2177; Free, 2:30-3:30 p.m
Hosted by UCC, Pilgrim Press and R.W. “Obie” Holmen, author of Queer Clergy: A History of Gay and Lesbian Ministry in American Protestantism, this symposium addresses the LGBT journey toward inclusion within the church. Panelists include the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, a national officer of UCC, and the Rev. Don King of Hope Lutheran Church.


Aug. 13
The Victory Party for Women
The Velvet Dog, 1280 W. Sixth St., Cleveland, 216-664-1116, $25, 8 p.m.
GG9 organizers handpicked Club Skirts' the Dinah, the largest girl party and music festival, to roll out the games’ official female pride party. The massive gathering features Robin S, three floors of DJs and go-go dancers and  an appearance by comic Erin Foley.

Del Shores: My Sordid Best!
Highland Theater, 826 W. Market St., Akron, 330-253-0100, $25, 8 p.m.
Comedian Del Shores, who was a writer and producer for Queer as Folk, came out to his Southern Baptist family and later created the play, TV series and film Sordid Lives, which is based on the community he grew up in. He tells his favorite sordid stories and some new ones.

Gay Games 9 Choral Extravaganza
State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-444, $60, 7:30 p.m.
Artistic director Dennis Coleman leads more than 400 singers to celebrate the Gay Games in the “Big Cleveland Sing.” Festival and Ohio choruses join with host chorus the North Coast Men’s Chorus.

Black Party
House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, $20 advance, $25 day of show, 9 p.m.-2:15 a.m.
See eclectic DJ Honey Dijon, who mixes Chicago, New York and other metropolitan sounds to create the ultimate party atmosphere. As a producer, she runs the label Digital Disco and, along with Sebastian Manuel, has remixed everyone from R.E.M. to Cyndi Lauper.

Pink Flamingo
Robert F. Busey Natatorium at Cleveland State University, 2451 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-479-6470, $30, 7:30 p.m.
Consistently one of the games’ most popular events, Pink Flamingo is essentially a drag show in water. The only rule is that nudity, feathers and sequins are off limits, but don't worry it's still a good time.


Aug. 14
FantAsia
Negative Spaces Gallery, Asian Town Center, 3820 Superior Ave., Cleveland, Free, but register on Eventbrite, 8-11:30 p.m.
Nosh on Asian appetizers in a dance club atmosphere presented by Asians and Friends Cleveland, the city’s Asian LGBT organization.

Gold Party
House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com/cleveland;  $20 advance,  $25 day of show, 9 p.m.-2:15 a.m.
Two-time Grammy Award-nominated DJ, producer and singer-songwriter Tony Moran, who has worked with artists from Rihanna to Madonna, spins his renowned house beats.