We'll be in Chicago and Montreal for the Games in the next month, and we'd love to hear what stories you all would be interested in us focusing on. Any specific ideas or people or groups you'd like us to track down? Please, let us know here or email us at: mailto:mail@outsports.commail@outsports.com

My two cents...

1. A one on one interview with Mark Tewksbury regarding his involvement with the Montreal Games, what he's up to now, etc.

2. A feature on someone competing in their first ever Gay Games. Find out why they decided to compete in the games, and detail their "Road to Gold" if you will.

3. It seems to me that most of the competitors are about the ages of 30 and up...is this accurate? If it is, are there any younger competitors and if so, let's feature them and why they're competing. Maybe a question for Tewksbury to find out how they can attract younger athletes.

4. Also wouldn't mind seeing a "feel good story" about someone overcoming something crazy in order to compete at the games.


Either way, I'm sure you guys will do a fine job! HAVE FUN!!!

1) How about an interview with athletes who chose to compete in both events
2)a piece on athletes of varying ages and what the games meant to them
3) a piece on non-North American athletes, and why they made the decision to compete in either Montreal or Chicago, and their views on the future of both events.
4) a piece on straight athletes or spectators and their take on "gay" athletes.
5) a piece on any former elite athletes who may be competing and how they felt being amid a group of gay athletes.

I'd be interested in stories from people outside of Western Europe and North America, particularly from countries where there is not much equality for LGBT people, and where the cost of travel to Chicago or Montreal is prohibitive. How does it feel coming from Cameroon or Indonesia, from Kazahkstan or Viet Nam, from Guyana or Sri Lanka, from Algeria or Jamaica, from Ecuador or Nigeria?

I've heard of a women's group in Toronto that is raising money so that a women's basketball team from Russia can come to Montreal. I'd like to hear of these types of goodwill efforts, where people from wealthy Western nations are helping less-privileged people take part in these events.

I'd like to hear stories about people who see a trip to Chicago or Montreal as a first step towards emigration to North America, or as a place to have a same-sex marriage.

Stories about LGBT people in the military, the clergy, politics, or from other areas where being openly gay can be career-threatening.

I'd be interested in hearing what comes out of the pre-games conferences in both Chicago and Montreal. How are sports and business and human rights being addressed, and what issues are next on the "gay agenda."

Thanks guys - all great stuff we'll try to track down for you!

And Enigma, we are going to have a daily journal of a young athlete at his first Gay Games. Stay tuned!

That's awesome! I look forward to it!

Good luck to everyone participating!

I'd like to see a running total of Outsports members' medals.

Something on the homepage that shows Screen Name, Event and Medal won. That way we could offer our congrats here.

Great idea, Maddog! We'll be sure to create a thread on here for people to report their results, and we'll recap them on the site as well.

I would like a report on this hottie who posted a youtube video, practising his posing routine for the physique competition in Chicago. He looks so cute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNjqZnHETx8

Two other possible story ideas...

1. Would love to hear from a straight competitor, and why they are taking part in the Gay Games

2. Maybe a piece on why the Gay Games are around. Are they really needed? How much pride do the athletes have that compete in them? How much has it grown over the years?

Another idea might be reactions from the spectators. Are the games what they expected to see? Is the level of competition higher or lower than expected?

Just read the first entry of the Gay Games Notebook. Good interview with the captain of the Taiwanese women's softball team! Am looking forward to reading more daily reports.

Blue chip sponsors see green in games

One topic I'm interested in, Jim & Cyd, is in companies that sponsor gay events. Besides throwing money, donating goods & services, and putting a rainbow flag on an advertisement, I wonder how many of these companies are making direct outreaches to the LGBT community and are helping their LGBT employees.

For example, a company sponsoring the Gay Games. Are their own employees (gay and straight) on site--or just their logo on a banner? Have they provided volunteers to hand out water bottles, say? Are they helping their own LGBT employees compete by, say, sponsoring them, giving them time off work, or subsidizing the cost of equipment or apparel?

I think there are some companies that are genuinely supportive of our community, and others who are just trying to capitalize on us.

So if you get a chance to speak to any of the corporate reps, marketing managers and whatnot, could you ask them, "Beyond just writing a check, what is your company doing to support the Gay Games, the LGBT community, and your own LGBT employees?"

Great job with the Gay Games guys...here's hoping we see similar coverage in Montreal! You all RULE!!!

Cyd will be in Montreal and we will have complete coverage.

I wanted to share a Gay Games related Sun-Times story that Kevin submitted to Mark Konkol. Lee is a volleyball buddy of mine from Indiana, we've played in tourneys together in past years.


Lee and Joe

Great story CHI!

It's a shame they have to go back to Indiana and start playing the real gay games again. frown

It is a shame. I can't imagine living that way. Lee and Joe have been together for at least 7 years, yet they cannot live together. :-(

They can live together. They're choosing not to right now. They're not in prison, they are free to do as they like. God bless them.

[ August 02, 2006, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Bryan ]

Just wanted to send out props to everyone who helped with the stories and tremendous coverage of both the Outgames and Gay Games.

The coverage was second to none and everyone associated with it, should be pretty proud of themselves.

You guys kick ass!

i like the ideea as gay been out in Romania people are more close. i dont care as a romanian i am out because this is what i fell. i love you guys for who you are and that America its a great country. Beeing in Canada opened my eyes a lott to see the gay issue and that was important to me. i am a desabld and a gay i am dealing with two caind of discrimination in romania people dont care about what i do r what i am capable here. the only think that i can say is that be happy all you guys.

Chip from Romania