The Road Has Come Home

Last night Gay Games VII opened in Soldier Field. It was a combination of excitement, spectacle, speeches, and great performances. It was also a 4+ hour show. But more about that later.

My evening started as my friend Stacie and I made our way to Soldier Field. Participants were asked to be in the staging area at 5. The ceremony was to start at 8 p.m.. I was herded into the purple area where Team Chicago was. Everywhere around me were gays and lesbians talking, having fun, and at times dancing to the music provided. I met up with a co-worker and we chatted for a bit.

As it got closer to 8, other countries and states were told to get ready to move. As host city, Team Chicago would be the last in the stadium.

Soon it was our turn to move out. As we left the staging area, we were greeted by so-called Christian protestors. We mostly ignored them, but one guy shouted, "you can either spend eternity with me, or be damned over an orgasm." I yelled back, "If' it's between you and the orgasm, I'll take the orgasm." People around me chuckled.

Finally, volunteers told us to run to the stadium. We did, only to be told to stop at the entry to the field. At that point we were divided up in to three areas, and then told to run onto the field. We did, and it was breathtaking to see a stadium full of people cheering us onto the field.

My group was handed green tubes, and told to light them at the designated time. We did, and the stadium floor became a rainbow. It looked awesome.

Finally we were allowed to go to the stands and find a seat for the entertainment portion. Biggest applause went to Megan Mullally, Andy Bell, Mayor Daley, and the beloved Margaret Cho.

Cho had the best line of the night. She commented on the protestors, and said, "Don't these people read the Bible. It says in Matthew 23-25, 'Shut the Fuck up!' Of course that's the King James Version."

There was dancing, lesbian/feminist music, speeches, and more speeches. The program was divided into segments: Exclusion, Oppression, Expression, Ignition. This was really a 2 hour show, spread into an over 4 hour program. Less speeches would have helped. Really!

The night ended with the lighting of the flame and fireworks. It was an incredible evening.

Today we went to Northwestern University to watch the diving events. Men in speedos....YES! Ok....point of order, men with beer guts should NOT wear speedos. EVER!!!!!

Tomorrow is my first race - 10K. There are heat advisories, as the temps have come close to 100. I will be as hydrated as possible. The goal, as always is to finish. I don't think I'll shoot for any records. Of course I will give a report after the race.

The Gay Games are taking the city by storm. I am so thrilled to be part of it.

:-)Charlie