Games brought freedom, joy to two rural men in love

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 7/25/2006 | Mark Konkol

[Mike Bates]

Athletically speaking, Gay Games VII was a joke. Everybody knows true competition shouldn't include hefty figure skaters, any kind of line dancing or games best played with a beer in your hand. More than winning medals and breaking records, Gay Games participants talked of the importance of participating, having fun, being "out and proud," making strides toward a more accepting America and all that jazz.

All around Chicagoland, guys kissed guys in the on-deck circle. Girls kissed girls between billiard matches. They didn't feel afraid or scared or judged.

And in those eight days of reprieve -- something special happened to a couple of guys from a tiny farm town in central Indiana.

During the opening ceremonies, Lee and Joe -- volunteer firefighters from a town of 600 -- hugged each other on the wide concourse behind the Soldier Field seats.

For Joe, it was this special moment or never. He gathered together all his courage and asked Lee, "Will you marry me?"

He slid a ring off his delicate ring finger, squeezed it on Lee's giant pinky, cutting off all circulation. They looked at each other and cried, big happy tears. Lee said, "Yes."

[meandog]

"Lee and Joe -- volunteer firefighters from a town of 600 -- hugged each other on the wide concourse behind the seats."="Leigh" and "Josephine"--volunteer firefelchers from the town of 600 -- frugged each other's wide intercourse behind the seat.

[KarlInOhio]

or games best played with a beer in your hand.

Games played with a beer in your hand? That sounds like CORNHOLE!

[johnny7]

I call...

[50sDad]

These people are sinophobes.

[MarineBrat]

We're just like everyone elth!

[dfwgator]

I don't even ask for them to go back in the closet, just to not flaunt it in an "in your face" manner. I have some friends that are "out" and they abhor that kind of behavior as much as most straights do.

And they tell me, it's an awful lot easier for them to be out with conservative people, than the be "out" as conservatives to gay people.

And we're the intolerant ones?

[yobid]

In Chicago, the gay agenda is jammed down your throat (no pun intended) every chance it gets. It gets worst every year because more and more are moving here because of the "acceptance" here. However, they take over entire neighborhoods and are not very tolerant, if not damn right rude and nasty, towards heteros. My boss who lives in Evanston told me that gay kids are "celebrated" and encouraged in the first grade. Makes me ill.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

I wish they would get the hell back in the closet.

Did you hear the one about the gay midget who came out of the cupboard?

[reagan_fanatic]

I could have gone all day without seeing that.

Thanks a lot.

[L98Fiero]

"Evanston told me that gay kids are "celebrated" and encouraged in the first grade."

Basically what that means is they are being "created" in first grade.

I LOVE women. Just LOVE 'em! When I was in first grade, though, I had absoloutely NO interest in girls. None. My point is, first-graders are NOT sexual beings. If they are, a crime is being committed.

[Old Professer]

[L98Fiero]

"Did you hear the one about the gay midget who came out of the cupboard?"

(insert comedic drum fill here) LOL!

[dfwgator]

I guess Abe Froman isn't the only "Sausage King of Chicago."

[MSM Hater]

It is common courtesy to follow the headline of such a disgusting story with (Major Barf Alert!) This will prevent Freepers from hurling if they've just eaten and have chosen to read the article. It will also warn Freepers who don't want to read such articles to steer clear. Other variations (i.e. Hurl Warning!, A Real Cookie Tosser!, Not For Those With Weak Stomachs!, Keep Your Barf Bag Handy!, This Article Beats Ipecac For Inducing Vomiting!) may be used and are okay as long as the meaning is clear.

I normally don't complain to other Freepers about etiquette, but I almost ejected my calzone when I read this one.

[isthisnickcool]

He slid a ring off his delicate ring finger, squeezed it on Lee's giant pinky, cutting off all circulation. They looked at each other and cried, big happy tears. Lee said, "Yes."

The queers have done such a good job at keeping the focus off what they do. Instead it's all about what they "feel". I'd like to see the writer write the above paragraph starting out with something like this and see how the public responds:

He slid the feces covered peni$.....

[yobid]

Agree 100%.

[CholeraJoe]

I just barfed my Egg McMuffin all over my keyboard. Would it kill you post a barf alert?

[Joe 6-pack]

TINKERBELL ALERT!

[Hemingway's Ghost]

...and they moved to New England and ate Johnny Cakes every morning.

Hey, that was New Hampshire.

[Mike Bates]

I just barfed my Egg McMuffin all over my keyboard. Would it kill you post a barf alert?

If you're eating an Egg McMuffin, my guess is your illness had nothing to do with the post. But I'll keep your suggestion in mind.