Countdown to Cologne 2010: Gay Games International Rainbow Memorial Run Begins Journey From San Francisco to Germany

Special symbol of the gay rights movement will travel to past Gay Games Host Cities, arriving in Cologne in time for 2010 Opening Ceremony

San Francisco, CA - Less than 10 days after the Olympic flame was lit at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the LGBT sporting world will begin its own countdown to the 2010 Gay Games that take place later this year in Cologne, Germany. The International Rainbow Memorial Run (IRMR) gets underway on Sunday, 21 February, 2010 at 10:00 am in the San Francisco National AIDS Memorial Grove.

Every four years, the Rainbow Run helps the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) celebrate the lives of those who have graced the Gay Games movement and served or participated in the Games. “In many ways, this is our own ‘torch’ run,” said Brent Nicholson Earle, founder and organizer of the IRMR, “and we begin by renewing our connection with San Francisco, ‘our Athens,’ the city of our birth.”

San Francisco Celebration
On Sunday, 21 February 2010, the FGG will launch the official countdown to the Cologne Gay Games with a press conference and quilt ceremony at San Francisco’s National AIDS Memorial Grove. Led by event creator, New York activist Brent Nicholson Earle, the event celebrates friends of the Gay Games lost to AIDS and other diseases, including US Olympian and Gay Games founder Dr. Tom Waddell.

After performances by Cheer San Francisco and remarks by California State Senator Mark Leno and San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty the special Memorial Rainbow Flag will be carried on a symbolic run to San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium, the founding stadium of both the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers, and the home of the Gay Games I (1982) and Gay Games II (1986) Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The AIDS Memorial Grove is located at Middle Drive E at Bowling Green Drive in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Kezar Stadium is at 334-670 Kezar Drive, at the SE corner of Golden Gate Park. The event gets underway at 10 am.

Olympic Charter
“As the world celebrates the Vancouver Winter Olympics, most don’t know that the Olympic Charter does not expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or health status,” said Kurt Dahl and Emy Ritt, FGG co-presidents. “The International Rainbow Memorial Run not only launches the quadrennial Gay Games, but also helps to remind us of the relevance of our movement in a world that still makes it difficult to compete and be openly gay or lesbian.”



World Tour
The Rainbow flag will travel to each of the former Host Cities of the Gay Games with symbolic or 5K runs held in each city. The flag will travel to Vancouver, Canada (Gay Games III, 1990), New York, USA (Gay Games IV, 1994), Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Gay Games V, 1998), Sydney, Australia (Gay Games VI, 2020), and Chicago, USA (Gay Games VII, 2006) before traveling to Cologne, Germany, host of Gay Games VIII, 31 July to August 7, 2010. Similar events are being held throughout Germany in cooperation with local AIDS service organizations.



Cologne 2010 Opening Ceremony
The International Rainbow Memorial Run will make its way to Cologne after a tour through Germany in late July. On the morning of Saturday, 31 July, a special ceremony will be followed by the official International Memorial (5K) Rainbow Run. The flag and flag bearers will enter RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne’s famous soccer stadium, that evening during Gay Games VIII Opening Ceremony leading the parade of athletes.



To learn more about the history of the Gay Games movement, or to learn about an upcoming stop by the International Rainbow Memorial Flag, visit www.gaygames.com. For information about the 2010 Gay Games, visit www.games-cologne.com (English) or www.games-cologne.de (German).



About the Gay Games:
The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best”™. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986 - 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990 - 7,300 participants), New York (1994 - 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998 - 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002 - 11,000 participants), and Chicago (2006 - 11,700 participants). Gay Games VIII will be held in Cologne, Germany on 31 July-7 August 2010 and information is available at www.games-cologne.com.



“Gay Games,” “Federation of Gay Games,” the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trade marks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany and Australia.

Go Barney!

Vreebit.com founder Michael Fleischmann will lead an online preview for 1,000 people on Aug 13

Visit Vreebit.com
Click on the image below for August 13 preview details.

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OLYMPIC DIVING GOLD MEDALIST MATTHEW MITCHAM DECLARES SUPPORT FOR GAY GAMES

Matthew Mitcham endorses Gay Games motto
"Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™".

The Federation of Gay Games has released a video on its web site (http://www.gaygames.com) featuring Matthew Mitcham in a 60 second message, encouraging everyone to participate in the Gay Games.

The video features gold-medal winner Mitcham diving followed by a personal, poolside message: “You don’t have to be an Olympian to participate in the Gay Games. The motto of the Federation of Gay Games is participation, inclusion, and personal best. Everyone can play in sport and culture. Why not be part of it?” A second video has been launched on the 2010 Cologne Gay Games web site (http://www.games-cologne.com) with Matthew Mitcham encouraging participation in the 2010 Gay Games.

Matthew Mitcham won the gold medal in men’s platform diving at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, scoring the highest marks ever in platform diving. Matthew Mitcham is 21 years old, resides in Sydney, Australia, and continues competing in diving events while preparing for the 2012 Olympics. Mitcham was one of two “Out” (openly gay) male athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

Federation of Gay Games Marketing Officer, Doug Litwin, has a very positive response to these videos. “Matthew clearly recognizes the life-changing impact that comes from participating in a large international event. Just as he made history and opened millions of eyes on the diving platform in Beijing, he realizes that the many thousands who have participated in the Gay Games have also had their eyes opened as part of their own life-changing experience. As we've been saying for years... ‘Gay Games Change The World.’”

Federation of Gay Games VP of External Affairs, Kate Rowe (Sydney), produced the video with Matthew Mitcham and can be contacted for Australian support. Sponsorship inquiries for Matthew Mitcham can also be directed through Ms. Rowe (krowe@gaygames.org). Kate commented about Mitcham. “Despite his heavy training commitments for the 2012 Olympics, Matthew wanted to give something to the global Gay and Lesbian sporting community by offering to endorse the Federation of Gay Games and the 2010 Cologne Gay Games with his appearance in this video.” Rowe added “We really appreciate Matthew’s generosity in participating freely, and found it a joy to work with him. Matthew’s enthusiasm for the Gay Games is clearly evident. In fact, he hopes to participate himself sometime in the future.”

The Federation of Gay Games would like to acknowledge Mat Webster and Dion Wilton from Metro Screen, Sydney, Australia, who also gave freely of their time to film and edit the video.

*******
The eighth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cologne, Germany from 31 July-7 August 2010. Chicago’s seventh Gay Games in July 2006 drew 11,700 participants.

For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany, visit www.games-cologne.com or phone +49 221 925 2607.

For information about or to sponsor the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.org.

Kate Rowe, (FGG VP of External Affairs) can be contacted at krowe@gaygames.org.

-30-

About The Federation of Gay Games:
The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best”™. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986 - 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990 - 7,300 participants), New York (1994 - 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998 - 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002 - 11,000 participants), and Chicago (2006 - 11,700 participants). Gay Games VIII will be held in Cologne, Germany on 31 July-7 August 2010.

“Gay Games”, “Federation of Gay Games”, the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany, and Australia.

Links:

Federation of Gay Games: http://www.gaygames.com
Games Cologne: http://www.games-cologne.com (English)
Games Cologne: http://www.games-cologne.de (German)
Matthew Mitcham Endorses Gay Games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6tUxzjg3HI
Matthew Mitcham Says “Come to Cologne for Gay Games 2010”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjdiMwxjijY

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with a Kilorita

Forget the old boring Margarita -Mix up a Kilorita to spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!


Kilorita

Add 2.5 ounces of Kilo Kai Rum
1 ounce of Cointreau or Grand Marnier (No Triple Sec) and the juice of one lime into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Pour into a salted-rimmed glass.
Top off with ginger ale (or 7 Up) and garnish with a lime slice.

Kilo Kai Sponsors Tamarama at Chicago's Lucky Lady

Kilo Kai Rum is the new sponsor of a live performance by Tamarama on Friday, April 10, 2009. The band takes the stage at The Lucky Lady at 440 North State Street at 9:00 pm for a live set. Following the show guests are invited to continue the party at Manor Chicago located at 642 North Clark Street. Tamarama’s Jay Lyons, who many know as Whitney Port’s on-and-off (now on!) Aussie boyfriend on MTV’s “The City,” will host the After Party which begins with a hosted Kilo Kai Rum cocktail reception from 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

The evening’s proceeds benefit Bright Pink, an organization that supports and educates women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
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When:
Fri 4/10 (9PM)
Where: The Lucky Lady
Address: 440 North State Street Chicago, IL
Cost: $10 cover