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HIV positive participants, spectators to be welcomed into United States during the 2006 Chicago Gay Games
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'Designated Event Status' clears U.S. entrance restrictions
2006-02-06
A U.S. federal blanket waiver has been approved allowing non-U.S. citizens living with HIV/AIDS to travel to the United States to participate in or attend the Gay Games 2006. The Federation of Gay Games (FGG), and Chicago Games, Inc. (CGI), announced today that the waiver comes with federal approval of Designated Event Status for Gay Games VII Sports & Cultural Festival set for 15-22 July 2006 in Chicago, Illinois.
"Many people with HIV/AIDS and other life-affecting health issues have competed and set Masters-division records at past Gay Games, and we are happy that all participants from outside the United States once again will be able to travel freely to attend the Gay Games this summer," said Kathleen Webster, co-president of the international Federation of Gay Games.
HIV positive participants and attendees of Gay Games VII can now apply for a single entry B-2 travel visa from their local U.S. consulate. The visa, valid 8-28 July 2006, will be issued on a special form instead of being placed permanently in the person’s passport.
"Achieving Designated Event Status demonstrates our dedication to the Gay Games principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™ and to our mission advocating for full acceptance and recognition of all LGBT people," said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games Executive Director. "We are grateful to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and the many CGI and FGG board, staff, volunteers and allies for helping us meet this important commitment to the HIV community."
Additional special recognition for their support of this effort goes to: State Rep. Larry McKeon; The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State; The Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Cristina Beato, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services; Immigration Equality; Lambda Legal Defense; Walgreens; Laird Peterson; Leslie Combs; Jim Lobianco; Brent Minor; Phil Burgess; Victoria Nielson; Mike Segobiano; Charles King; Dennis Sneyers; Kevin Boyer; Tracy Baim; and Aimee Pine.
Information regarding procedures on how to apply for the B-2 visa at U.S. consulates in different countries will be available shortly on the FGG Web site and the immigration pages on the Chicago Gay Games Web site.
For additional information, please contact Aimee Pine at the Chicago Games, Inc. offices at (773) 907-2006 or by email at aimee.pine@gaygameschicago.org.
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