Posted on 03/08/2006 8:07:13 AM PST by OPS4
After four hours of heated exchanges about God, sex and the law; after the booing, the hissing and the clapping were over, the votes were in Tuesday night: The 2006 Gay Games are approved to hit the shores of Crystal Lake.
That is, the rowing competition of the weeklong event will happen this summer in the northwest suburb, thanks to a tie-breaking vote by the city's park district board.
Last Thursday, the board was deadlocked in a 2-2 vote over the application by organizers of the games to use the lake, a highly regarded venue for such events. A tie vote on a measure means a proposal has failed.
But a fifth board member was out of town on vacation, and the vote was rescheduled for Tuesday, when the full board narrowly approved the application 3-2.
Board member Jerry Sullivan, who had just returned from Mexico and cast the decisive vote, later said, "I think it shows our openness as a community and our fairness."
Gay Games organizers still have to clear hurdles with city officials and other suburbs. Chicago is host city of the games.
Standing-room only crowd
Even before the meting started, barbs were being thrown. As at least 200 people filed into the meeting, they were greeted by Sean Spoor, a lifelong resident and personal banker, who was carrying a sign reading, "Out with the bigots, in with the pride."
Spoor, who is gay, said he was particularly offended by the previous vote.
"I'm here because I've lived in this town pretty much all my life, and it makes me furious that the town I grew up in, a town that has expanded and succeeded, would be looking at barring this because of [sexual orientation]," Spoor said. "It shouldn't make a difference; it's a sport activity."
Spoor's comment to a reporter sparked several angry comments.
"I do not want these queers coming to my hometown," said Larry Reyer, 55, a mechanic and 29-year resident. "Like I asked before, what revenue are you bringing in? What are you bringing in except stirring up all these problems?"
A standing-room crowd packed the Woodstock Street park district facility in Crystal Lake. More than 80 residents, gay activists, ministers and legal experts took to the microphone to voice concerns about issues ranging from tolerance, the state's human rights act and fear the Gay Games will promote promiscuity.
The Gay Games Sports and Cultural Festival will be held in Chicago from July 15-22.
The Sun-Times is among the games' sponsors
Or is it segregated?
Lawsuit possibilities.....ACLU....where are you?
Sponsored by a knee pad company of course.
Oh give me a F****** break!
When the hell did someone's sexual orientation give them special priveliges!?!?
I like to make love to *GASP* Women! What do I get? Huh? Huh? Do I win something?
Whata buncha crap.
It doesn't sound very "inclusive"
Can you imagine HeteroGames and the resulting outcry?
What a bunch of sissies!
Gee....they already have the Special Olympics.......
How about the ....
special special olympics?
Polevault.
"Ooooh Ooooh.. Can I be the pole?"
You don't want to be a coxswain in THAT boat ...
Carl Lewis should be there, based on his form in throwing the ceremonial "first pitch" in a game a couple years ago. To say that he throws like an uncoordinated 5 year old girl would be an insult. .....to the 5 year old girl.
Sheep herding & tenting.
Board member Jerry Sullivan, who had just returned from Mexico and cast the decisive vote, later said, "I think it shows our openness as a community and our fairness."
I think it shows you're willing to take one up the backside is what it shows
I miss the days of 29 cent a gallon gasoline and fags like spoor at least had the decency to remain in the closet rather than flaunt their reprehensible mental disorder with "parades" and "games."
Sadly activist faggots have managed through the tolerance, permissiveness and downright stupidity of the 'straight" community to gain positions of influence in our communities and institutions from which they are now able to impose their "queer/perverse/predatory" agenda on the country.
Few straight public oficials (if there are any left) have the courage to oppose them on any issue.
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