|
| Keynote Address |
 |
James C. Hormel [ site
]
Born in Minnesota, Jim has had many careers - in law, academic administration, business, philanthropy, and diplomacy. Before becoming our first openly gay ambassador he represented the US at the UN General Assembly and, previously, the UN Human Rights Commission. Known for his work in social justice, Jim helped to found or sustain a wide variety of organizations promoting the rights of LGBT Americans. He lives in San Francisco with his partner, Tim Wu. |
| National
Anthem |
 |
Christy Fairbairn
Christy Fairbairn studied at a suburban Boston college where she actively participated in both choir and musical theatre. Upon her arrival to Chicago in September, 2005 she began attending karaoke bars. Eventually, word of the Gay Idol competition sent her to Stargaze. After facing fierce competition, she was crowned the 2006 Windy City Gay Idol and offered an audition to sing the Opening National Anthem. |
| Anthem
of the Gay Games (performance) |
 |
Esera
Tavai Tuaolo [ site
] [ anthem lyrics ]
Born in Honolulu, Esera played for Oregon State before being drafted
in 1991. A Nose Tackle in the NFL for nine years, he reached the Super Bowl
with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2002, after retiring, he announced that he
is gay and lives with his partner Mitchell Wherley and their children (Mitchell
& Michele). His autobiography "Alone In The Trenches: My Life As
A Gay Man In The NFL" was released Spring, 2006. |
| Administration
of Participants' Oath |
 |
Dave
Kopay [ more
] [ oath text ]
Former American football player who was one of the first professional
athletes to come out as gay. Dave played pro football from 1964 to 1972.
His autobiography, The David Kopay Story offers insights into the
sexual proclivities of heterosexual football players and their homophobia.
Only two former NFL players have come out: Roy Simmons in 1992, and Esera
Tuaolo in 2002 |
| Administration
of Officials' Oath |
 |
Billy
Bean [ site
] [ oath text ]
Dubbed "the boy of every girl's dream" by Dodger manager Lasorda,
Bean solidified his role as a major-league utility player but he was a gay
man in a brutally anti-gay world. Bean came out to national acclaim in 1999
and has not slowed down since. He is currently on the all-gay panel of the
revamped I've Got A Secret on the Game Show Network. |
| Receiving Oath of Officials |
 |
Saskia Webber [ more
]
Saskia played at the highest level of soccer, as a member of the U.S. National Team (1992-2001). She helped the U.S. to win third in the 1995 World Cup, Gold in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and Gold in the 1999 World Cup. She played in the WUSA for the NY Power for three years and has done modeling and correspondent work for ESPN, ESPN The Magazine, CSTV and CNN. |
| Speakers / Performers |
 |
Matt
Alber [ site
]
Raised in St. Louis, Matt scored two Grammy Awards with the a capella classical
men's group Chanticleer before delving into country music (landing
on "Star Search") and becoming the first artist signed to NYC-based
LGBT Silver Label. "Nonchalant," his debut pop album of lush,
dreamy love songs will be released digitally July 11 and in stores this
September. |
 |
AntiGravity [
site ]
America’s premier acrobatic performance brand, based in NYC, has been wowing audiences for over 15 years. In addition to its theatrical productions, AntiGravity has also emerged as a leader in sports entertainment and music spectaculars. Founded by Christopher Harrison, it has become a creative outlet for elite competitors who through their fitness philosophy inspire audiences world wide. |
 |
Avenue
Q [ site
]
AVENUE Q (2004 Tony Award® for Best Musical) is Broadway's smash-hit musical about making it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. "…the best show of the year. Just when you're wheezing with laughter from the hummable, hilarious tunes, you're blindsided by a beautifully sincere love song. …one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see." -Entertainment Weekly. |
 |
Andy Bell [ site
] [ erasure site
]
One of the first openly gay stars in pop, Andy Bell's gender-bending performances, brilliant theatricality and soaring falsetto vocals have endeared Erasure with fans worldwide. Bell recently released his first solo CD, Electric Blue, followed by the release of Erasure’s critically-acclaimed Union Street, its first entirely acoustic album. After a sell-out tour of the UK and US, Erasure plans to release and tour a new album in 2007. |
 |
Keith Boykin [ site
]
Keith Boykin is a host of the BET television show "My Two Cents," a New York Times best-selling author of three books and the editor and publisher of keithboykin.com, one of the most popular black LGBT web sites in the world. A former White House aide to President Clinton, Keith is a founder and past board president of the National Black Justice Coalition. |
 |
Staceyann
Chin [ site
]
A fulltime artist, resident of NYC and a Jamaican National, she has been
an "out poet and political activist" since 1998. From the cafés
to her shows Off-Broadway to poetry workshops worldwide to co-writer / performer
in the Tony-nominated, "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam" on Broadway,
Chin credits it all to her grandmother's hard-working history and the pain
of her mother's absence. |
 |
Margaret
Cho [ site
]
Raised in San Francisco, Margaret has long been a champion of the underdog.
In addition to sell-out concert tours, she has two books out alongside her
tour dvds and a narrative feature film. "She succeeds so resoundingly
because her humor is so liberating and so inclusive, inviting us to see
the absurd humor in our hang-ups and about who we are." -- Los
Angeles Times (Jan. 2002). |
 |
Kate
Clinton [ site
]
Kate Clinton is a faith-based, tax-paying, America-loving political humorist
and family entertainer. She has worked through economic booms and busts,
Disneyfication and Walmartization, gay movements and gay markets, lesbian
chic and queer eyes, and ten presidential inaugurals. She still believes
that humor gets us through peacetime, wartime and scoundrel time. |
 |
Shavonne
Conroy [ site
]
Shavonne began her long career at the age of two. She played the title role
in Evita (Globe Award: Best Actress in a Musical), Sally Bowles in Cabaret,
Miss Mona in Whorehouse! and more. Other credits include "All
My Children," "Law & Order," "Rescue Me,"
"The Late Show with David Letterman," CDs, concerts at the Waldorf-
Astoria, the St. Regis, and SPLASH, with Jennifer Holliday! |
 |
David da Silva Cornell
[ site
]
An international business lawyer and LGBT rights activist from Miami, David has been active with a variety of national, state, and local LGBT organizations, focusing on matters involving politics or people of faith for over 10 years. Formerly on the board of directors of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, he currently serves on the boards of the NGLTF; EqualityVictory, the new Equality Florida LGBT PAC; and the new group ProCLaiM, "a voice for Progressive Clergy and Laypeople in Miami-Dade." |
 |
Matthew
Cusick [ site
]
Landing in the spotlight after being fired from Cirque de Soleil for being HIV+, Matthew's future is brighter now that his dream is being fulfilled. He continues work on his performing career and also on projects with Anti-Gravity while spreading his message of maintaining a "Positive Altitude." Matthew hopes that in relaying the story of his fight and living with HIV, others will also find the courage to stand strong in the face of discrimination and pursue their dreams. |
 |
Mayor
Richard M. Daley [ site
]
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has earned a national reputation for his
innovative, community-based programs to address education, public safety,
neighborhood development and other challenges facing American cities. A
former state senator and county prosecutor, Daley was elected in 1989, to
complete the term of the late Harold Washington, and re-elected since by
large margins. |
 |
Barbara
Higbie [ site
]
Barbara is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and championship fiddle
player as well as a pianist and composer. She is known for her work as co-founder
of the acoustic super-group Montreux, for her two award winning solo vocal
recordings, Signs of Life and I Surrender and her two duet releases with
singer Teresa Trull, Unexpected and Playtime. |
 |
Ubaka
Hill [ site
]
Ubaka Hill (Ooo-bah'-kah) is a nationally known drummer, teacher, performer,
and visual artist. She began drumming professionally in 1974 at the age
of 18 in her home state of New Jersey. Hill has performed with various creative
artists and cofounded percussion performance groups. Hill has recorded with
various artists and on soundtracks for educational and creative videos.
|
 |
Nedra
Johnson [ site
]
Whether in front of an intimate audience or a large festival audience like
Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Nedra has the ability to perform with both
strength and vulnerability. Her thoughtful choice of words reflect not only
who she is, but speak to the heart in a way that mirrors emotions many find
difficult to express, allowing her a fan base diverse in ethnic, cultural
and spiritual background. |
 |
Frankie
Knuckles [ site
]
Known as the 'Godfather Of House,' few in contemporary music have influenced
their respective fields the way that Frankie has revolutionized dance music.
He was the first recipient of the Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year 1997.
In honor of his charitable work, August 25, 2004 was named Frankie Knuckles
Day in Chicago and a portion of West Adams St. bears his name. |
 |
Kim
Kuzma [ site
] [Video Message from Kim]
Kim is an entertainer with an extensive vocal range whose intense
singing performance is effortlessly offset by casual, conversations with
her audience. Kim's voice and sultry stage presence draw her audience in,
allowing them to join her on a musical ride not soon forgotten. Kim will
be showcasing "Who You Are," a new song written with singer/songwriter
Samuel Sixto
from Switzerland. |
 |
Jose Llana [ site ]
On Broadway, Jose has starred in Flower Drum Song, RENT, The King and I, and currently The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He is also a best-selling recording artist in his native Philippines, having sung for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. A frequent advocate for BC/EFA and APICHA, Jose was also on Rosie O’Donnell’s R Family Cruise for Gay Families Maiden Voyage. |
 |
Greg
Louganis [ site
]
Greg is a six time World Champion. In 1988 he became the first
to win double gold medals for diving in two consecutive Olympics. Greg's
autobiography, "Breaking the Surface," spent five weeks at number
one on the New York Times Best-Seller List. He then produced a Video Diary
called "Looking To the Light." His second book, "For the
Life of Your Dog," has just been published. |
 |
Steven
Lutvak [ site
] Shoulder To Shoulder (mp3)
Composer, Lyricist, Singer, Steven Lutvak wrote the title song for the hit movie MAD HOT BALLROOM. His musical adaptation of the classic film comedy KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS will be at the Sundance Theater Lab this summer. Steven has performed his songs around the country, and, in fact, will be back in Chicago July 20th for the Chicago Humanities Festival. His solo CD is called THE TIME IT TAKES. |
 |
Megan
Mullally [ site
]
Best known as "Will & Grace's" Karen Walker, Megan has long been a staunch supporter of the gay and lesbian community. Born in L.A. and raised in Oklahoma, she attended Northwestern before beginning her long and successful career in TV, film, stage and recording. This fall, she will host her own daytime syndicated talk show, "The Megan Mullally Show." |
 |
Nanae [ site
]
Nanae is a world renowned artist of Middle Eastern and Oriental dance. Born in Tokyo, she began dancing at the age of three, and holds a master's degree in performing arts from Tamagawa University. Nanae, an exclusive MAQAM® artist, has traveled the world performing the ancient art of Arabic and Middle Eastern dance and has worked with the legendary performers and choreographers of Caracalla. |
 |
Holly
Near [ site
]
Holly Near is a unique combination of entertainer, teacher and activist.
An immense vocal talent, Near's career as a singer has been profoundly
defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion
for human dignity. She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador
for peace who brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness,
spiritual discovery, and theatricality. |
 |
Billy
Porter [ site
]
Billy first began singing at age 4. He graduated with a B.F.A
in drama from Carnegie Mellon University. He was the 1992 male vocalist
grand champion on Ed McMahon's Star Search. Billy made an
unforgettable impression on Broadway, appearing in Smokey Joe's Café
and in all the original casts of Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe and the
revival of Grease with Rosie O'Donnell. |
 |
Heather
Small [ site
]
Singer/Songwriter Heather Small is known by most for her unique
vocal talents as lead vocalist of dance legends M People. In 2000 she released
her debut solo album, 'Proud', a critically acclaimed collection of self-penned
soul and gospel anthems. She closed the 2002 Commonwealth Games, singing
the track 'Proud' in front of millions of television viewers worldwide.
|
 |
George Takei [ site
]
George Takei, best known as Mr. Sulu of Star Trek, has an extensive television,
film and theatre career. In addition, he has been extremely involved in
civic and charitable affairs. George is a dedicated long-distance runner
since his high school days, has completed five 26.2-mile marathons and carried
the Olympic Flame in 1984. George and his life partner live in Los Angeles. |
 |
Teresa
Trull [ site
]
Teresa Trull is a fiery haired vocal dynamo who combines a gutsy blues/rock
style, topnotch songwriting talents and sharp producing instincts in her
many high energy projects. An accomplished producer of over 30 albums,
Trull was named the Best Producer of an Independent Album at the New York
Music Awards. She has performed and shared stages with Sheila E., David
Sanborn, Joan Baez and many others. |
 |
Jorge
Valencia [ site
]
Jorge has served as President and Executive Director of The Trevor Project
since April 2001. Under his leadership, a focus on awareness and outreach
has resulted in higher visibility of the organization among the LGBT community,
expansion of its programs, staff, volunteers and events. He brings over
12 years of oerations management in the nonprofit, communications and governmental
sectors. |
 |
Jody Watley [ site ]
A native Chicagoan, Jody is an American pop singer, songwriter, producer. To date, Jody Watley has sold over 20 million albums and singles worldwide. Along with Janet Jackson and Madonna, ranks as one of MTV Video Music Awards most nominated female artist ever, with ten nominations. She won the 1988 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She ranks at the #144 most successful R&B artist of all time according to Billboard Magazine. Her New Album, 'THE MAKEOVER', drops August 8 |
 |
Suzanne Westenhoefer [
site ]
New York Daily News calls her 'a center stage diva who bursts out of her
closet with little explosions of outspoken bemusement!' Suzanne has been
touring the last 14 years and has 3 best selling comedy CDs that have all
received rave reviews nationally. She was the first out lesbian to have
a ground breaking HBO special which was nominated for a Cable Ace Award
and recently did an appearance on Letterman. |
| |
| Creative
Team |
 |
Kile
Ozier, Ceremonies Director [ site
]
Kile has a solid reputation across a spectrum of industries wherein effective,
experiential storytelling is a key component. Significant work includes
the 1992 Candle Light Vigil for the NAMES Quilt in DC and the landmark 1994
NYC Opening and Closing Ceremonies for Gay Games IV. Formerly Creative Director
at Universal Studios Florida, he is the founder of Academy of Friends. |
 |
Ben
Patrick Johnson, Voice of GGVII [ site
]
Among the busiest voice-over actors in Hollywood, Ben is a signature primetime promo voice for FOX and CBS and is heard on thousands of movie trailers and TV spots yearly. The author of several novels set in Los Angeles, including the bestseller Third and Heaven, Ben uses his health & fitness celebrity and cover model status to benefit civil rights organizations like IGLHRC and EQCA. |
 |
GiGi
Grose - Music Producer [ site
]
Her career in the arts focused on dance, choreography, live entertainment
and music production. Born funky, she has been a Vegas showgirl and choreographed
for commercial, film, theater and the sports arena. In 1999 Gigi began working
with AntiGravity---eventually wearing many hats; as a Production Coordinator,
Associate Choreographer, Casting Director, Music Editor and "right
arm" of the Artistic Director. |
 |
Shelly
Bomb - Costume Designer [ site
]
Ms. Bomb has designed costumes for AntiGravity for more than 100 shows.
She is the personal costume designer for Kate Pierson (B-52s) and has costumed
the dancers for major concerts. Shelly started her design career with extravagant
club coutere fashions in the late 1980s. Shelly's awards include a "Best
Costumes of the Year"; award from Sports Illustratedand the title of
"Style Setter" by the Ladies Home Journal. |
| |
|
| Creative
Team - Opening Ceremonies |
 |
Ric Kirby, Producer [ site
]
Ric Kirby is a "well-seasoned" creative director, producer and
production/event manager. His 20 years of work includes events for Fortune 500 companies
as well as UNICEF, AmFAR, the DNC, HRC and others. He has produced presidential and gubernatorial inaugurations,
UN celebrations, major events including foreign dignitaries and heads-of-state
and his expertise has been key for major recording artists, theatrical productions,
tours and Gay Games IV (NYC, '94). |
 |
Chris
Harrison - Director of Act IV & Lighting of the Flame [ site
]
As a champion gymnastics specialist and Broadway dancer, Harrison sought to create a new medium that would bring the unique physical talents of athletes to the stage. His company, AntiGravity, sports a core roster of 85 performers with locations in NYC, Orlando, Toronto & Las Vegas. As a Director/Choreographer he has created for: P. Diddy, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Paul Newman and hundreds more in over 400 productions and 20 countries. He maintains that the easiest way to defy gravity is to smile. |
 |
Kevin
Iega Jeff [ site
]
A full-scholarship graduate of the Julliard School, Iega has over
15 years of experience in artistic direction and management and is an accomplished
choregrapher, director, teacher and performer. A former Artistic Director
of the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater, he founded the internationally
acclaimed JUBILATION! Dance Company in New York City. |
 |
Joel
Hall [ site
]
Mr. Hall is the Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer
to his dance company and the Director and Chief Instructor for the training
studio. During the past 18 years, Joel Hall has achieved an international
reputation for his dance company and acclaim as a choreographer whose work,
though based in his unique Chicago dance style, expresses a rich dance vocabulary
embracing the classical and modem idioms as well. |
 |
Michele
Lynch [ site
]
Twelve years ago Michele danced at Yankee Stadium for the 1994 Gay
Games. An ex-Rockette and Broadway dancer, some of Michele's choreography
credits include the movie CAMP for IFC films, recreating the original
choreography for THE FULL MONTY in Melbourne, Australia and
choreography for the divine Miss M, Bette Midler. Michele is the
Associate Choreographer of the Tony Award winning musical HAIRSPRAY |
 |
Kathleen
McGuire - Choral Conductor [ site
]
Australian-born conductor Dr. Kathleen McGuire leads the 200-voice San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the Community Women's Orchestra. She has conducted choruses and orchestras in leading concert halls in England, Australia and the US. She directed 560 voices at Gay Games VI (Sydney). McGuire is 2006 Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride and a rider in the 585-mile AIDS/LifeCycle. |
 |
Christy Zurcher - Band Director [ site
]
Christy is currently the Director of the award winning Lakeside Pride Freedom Band, and is also the Assistant Conductor of the 80-piece Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band. She has arranged for and directed Artemis Singers, Chicago's Lesbian Feminist Chorus, and can periodically be seen around Chicago with Radical Nuances, an all female ensemble performing folk, jazz, blues, classical, and original works. |
| Participants'
Oath |
I
Pledge to fully participate in the Gay Games
by honoring the Spirit of their origins.
I pledge to celebrate the uniqueness of these Games
in their purest realm of sportsmanship;
where there is no shame of failure
Only glory in achievement and the shared fulfillment
of each personal best.
In these Games, I have no rivals;
only comrades in unity. |
| Officials'
Oath |
I,
On behalf of all the officials in this stadium,
Pledge to fairly officiate in the Gay Games.
To honor the spirit of their origins by celebrating the true meaning
of sportsmanship:
By judging impartially and without prejudice,
I pledge to respect the talents of all
participants who come to these Games,
where self-esteem is fostered through fairness to all who seek
and find victory in a personal best. |
| "Take
the Flame" - Official Anthem of the Gay Games |
| In
1994, Bill Russell and Henry Krieger were commissioned to write "Take
the Flame" for the opening ceremonies of Gay Games IV. The song, performed
by Lillias White, was repeated at the closing ceremony at Yankee Stadium
and was subsequently selected as the official anthem of the Gay Games.
Gay Games VII is the first time that both the Anthem and Fanfare
& Processional are being used in an official capacity. [ Full
Story ] |
Henry Krieger (composer)
[ more
]
Henry has twice been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award:
in 1982, as Best Score, his music with Tom Eyen's lyrics, for "Dreamgirls"
and in 1998, for Best Score, his music with Bill Russell's lyrics,
for "Side Show."
|
TAKE
THE FLAME (lyrics)
i
was lost in dark confusion
and thought i'd have to stay
you had to fight
for your own bit of light
but you held it high to light my way
now
thanks to you, my friend
i can see this tunnel's end
and i'll repeat till my dying day
what you're no longer here to say
take
the flame and pass it on
spread your light and share the dawn
grab your chance before it's gone
take the flame and pass it on
you
lit up the night with a bold design
you set us ablaze and allowed us to shine
your love left a spark to build upon
take the flame and pass it on
our
light will shine
no matter who
tries to extinguish the flame
this light of mine
will burn for you
so the world will remember your name
it's a whole new game
we'll stake our claim
the past is over and gone
let's take the flame
and pass it on
take
the flame and pass it on
spread your light and share the dawn
grab this chance before it's gone
take the flame and pass it on. |
Bill
Russell (lyrics)
[ site ]
A Tony-award nominated bookwriter and lyricist ("Side Show"), Bill also penned the words for "Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens"; "Pageant" (co-author); "Lucky Duck" and "Kept". His writing has often explored elements of gay culture and sensibility, starting with lyrics for the lesbian duo Jade & Sarsaparilla and his first Off-Broadway musical "Fourtune". |
|
The
Story of the Official Anthem & Fanfare/ Processional
by Kile Ozier (Ceremonies GGIV and GGVII) |
Late
in the Fall of 1993, I shared with Henry Krieger my sense of Tom Waddell's
vision of an Olympian Experience, open to all, and the genesis of that vision
from the '68 Olympic Games in Mexico City, through San Francisco in
1982, and on to the upcoming '94 Games in New York City (Unity '94).
We talked of Tom's call for an exemplary, global community that could
serve as example for the rest of the world; a community without discrimination
or hate of self and others! I asked him if he would consider writing
an Anthem for Opening Ceremonies. He contacted Bill Russell and, through
the winter, created "Take the Flame."
Jonathan
Sheffer (the subsequent founder of Eos Orchestra) was my Music Director
for the Games. He put together an orchestra of top-level studio and symphonic
musicians to record the music in early Spring!
Meanwhile,
I approached a man I'd met through friends; a banker who was changing
his professional life to become a composer; something he'd dreamed
of since youth. He was still young, at 30-something; but you know what I
mean. That man was Eric Schorr.
I
shared with Eric my frustration with the unresponsiveness of John Williams;
and how much I wanted to create music of stature and grandness, without
sounding derivative. Eric asked for the opportunity to write this music,
and I gave it to him. There was something powerful about his ardent desire
to write music, and to write this music.
I
will never forget, months later, walking into Manhattan Center Studios as
our two-day recording session began. It's a huge space, with room
for the orchestra and a full audience; as it is used for concerts, as well.
At the far end of the room was the orchestra, being conducted by Jonathan,
just beginning to play Eric's Fanfare and Processional music. The
music was/is lush, vibrant, singularly unique and full.
In the
center of the room, midway between the audience and the door through which
I had entered, was a single chair; and in it was Eric. His head was down
and his eyes were closed as he heard his music played by an orchestra for
the very first time in his life. Small tears were running down his cheeks.
I am moved, every time I remember this moment. This is what the Games are
about!
Immediately
after the sessions, once the orchestra members learned what the gig actually
was and what it was for; nearly all of them returned the checks we'd paid
them for the work.
When
the music was premiered at the Games, it was an instant hit. Lillias White
(awarded a Tony in 1997 for her role as Sonja in "The Life") performed "Take the Flame" at Opening
Ceremonies, a world premiere. The response was so huge, at the time and
during the week that followed, that we asked her to return and sing it at
Closing Ceremonies, as well.
At
the Annual Meeting of the Federation of Gay Games in Berlin in 1999, these
two pieces of music completed the process of becoming the Official Fanfare
and Processional and the Official Anthem of the Gay Games. It happened after
contracts were signed for Sydney; thus the Opening Ceremonies of Gay Games
VII in Chicago will be the Official Premiere of these pieces of music; a
powerful representation and evolution of the legacy.
15
July 2006: Esera Tuaolo in full Samoan Warrior Dress, singing the
Official Gay Games Anthem as the flag is brought down the center of the
field. It will rock, it will resonate, it will reverberate! |
