Gay Games 9 to begin Saturday in Ohio

If Cleveland and Akron seem like odd choices to host the international Gay Games, that's because they are. The eight previous hosts for this quadrennial affair have been gay-friendly cities where those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered feel comfortable, The Associated Press reports. 

Cleveland and Akron don't have "gayborhoods" and their LGBT communities generally keep a low profile. That will all change Saturday with the opening ceremonies for Gay Games 9 at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland. The games run through Aug. 16.

Gay media outlets pilloried the decision to bring the games to northeast Ohio, which was competing against the more gay-friendly cities of Boston and Washington. But those lobbying to bring the event to northeast Ohio pushed the idea that holding the events in the heart of the Rust Belt would provide an opportunity to chip away at barriers that persist.

"The biggest reason for the region to host the Gay Games is the kind of legacy it can leave for northeast Ohio," said David Gilbert of Positively Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. "The eyes of the LGBT world and LGBT media will be on Cleveland and will give our community a chance to shine."

Tom Nobbe, a lead organizer of the games, is a gay man, a native of northeast Ohio and a swimmer who is competing in the games. Nobbe optimistically thinks northeast Ohio is, in some ways, "post gay" — that sexual orientation is far less of an issue today for most people. Yet he hopes the games will dissolve stereotypes and show the world how skilled and athletic the games' competitors are.

"The games are about diversity, about changing hearts and minds," Nobbe said.

About 8,000 people have registered to participate in more than 35 events, which include traditional sports like track and field and basketball and non-traditional ones, such as rodeo and ballroom dancing. The participants come from 51 countries and 48 states.