If the Montreal Rendevous 2006 crew and the Federation of Gay Games crew can't or won't work out their differences what would you like to see happen?

[ November 18, 2003, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: Lindsay ]

In addition to voting perhaps people can state their reasons for their preference by posting a reply on the thread.

I voted for two games, one in 2006 and one in 2007 because I could and would make it to both and I think it would be useful to try both approaches and see how each works. My real preference is for Montreal and the FGG to work things out but it is hard to see that happening. And in my wildest dreams I would like to see a smaller North American games held every four years half way between Gay Games. I'm just so jealous of the Eurogames!

"A straw poll only shows which way the hot air blows."

--William Sydney Porter

I voted for the games in 2006 but NOT in Montreal for two reasons.
1. I think the whole Gay Games has been tainted by the row between Montreal and the FGG and no matter who was to blame, this didn't happen with any previous host city, despite many problems.
2. The Montreal choice of additional sports seemed to include to many "pastimes" IMHO
3. Montreal never included MY sport which was the most succesful new addition in Sydney, namely sailing:
o Sailing was the first sport to be fully subscribed in Sydney with 50 3-wo/man teams and could have had double the entries if more boats were available
o Just over 50% of participants were women and one division in Sydney was wn by an all female team.(Games average is 20% women)
o Age range of participants between 20s-60s (Games average is 39)
o Sailing is a Paralympic sport and both sight-impaired and HIV+ competitors competed in Sydney
o Serious competition with many teams having trained with Olympic and national coaches for the year before the event.
o International - with entries equally from Americas, Europe and Australasia

Sailing is not on the FGG list of 21 FGG required sports but GLORY will support any bid that includes Sailing as an Additional sport, and will help organise it.

Paul White
GLORY
Gay and Lesbian Organisation for Racing and Yachting
www.glorysailing.org

This, is very difficult.

This, is divisive.

This, should NOT be happening in OUR community.

But it is, and has, and continues. The rhetoric on both sides, is tragic.

FGG (Federation of Gay Games) and RVM 2006 (Rendez-Vous Montreal 2006) both have brought valid issues up about the other and the entire process of deciding who controls what, how many, where, what is the revenue distribution, logistics planning, etc. that needs to be overhauled.

IT IS THE PARTICIPANTS, WE ATHLETES, WHO LOSE MOST!

FGG for it's part has become a bit like the IOC. It is a power driven culture that is striving to maintain the power (control) at all costs. RVM 2006 was little different in its way. Both sides CHOSE to use the press for its own purposes. FGG has yet to admit their failure in Sydney, Amsterdam, New York and Vancouver to keep costs contained by proper planning, prior to any preliminary registrations.

Ideally, I'd like to see reconciliation between the 2 parties, in part to show the world WE can get beyond our differences, WE can take the mature high road and rise to OUR better selves and natures.

It does indeed though look like RVM 2006 is well on its way to securing all the funding it will need. That Montreal will be an easy access for all the planets participants and attendees. I also agree with the London poster who said sailing should be included! It was very well attended and much fun in Sydney.

On a final note, let's hope that some good comes from all this. Perhaps by having 2 events, maybe we'll get more coverage, raise more awareness, and get even more participation by all. More importantly, let us all strive to resolve our differences in the spirit the Games represent.

Eric