Gay Games

A controversy is brewing in the small town of Crystal Lake, Illinois over whether to allow rowers a permit during an Olympic style event planned for this July called, "The Gay Games."

I've always prided myself in taking an extreme liberal stance on such matters, particularly those having to do with freedom of expression. It's not an effort for me to practice tolerance, understanding, or to be accepting of others. However, in this instance, a flood of questions, jokes, and one-line wise-cracks immediately come to mind, indicative of the confusion I'm experiencing regarding a decision like this one.

Can anyone participate other than openly gay people, but then, who would want to? Should there now be a "Black Olympics, or a "Left-Handed Olympics," an "Olympics for People Who Hate Sports?" What will some of the events be titled, "Throwing like a Girl," or "Lesbian Mud Wrestling?"

I wonder if this is just a publicity stunt to legitimize the gay lifestyle, or could it be simply a new way for people of a like mind to connect? An additional concern I have has to do with a U.S. Federal blanket waver permitting non-U.S. citizens living with HIV/AIDS to travel to the Gay Games from July 8 - 28, permitting a 20-day visit without HIV declaration. The travel visa will be issued on a special form without it being permanently placed on an individual's passport. One wonders if the same accommodations would be afforded people carrying the Avian Flu.

I'm not against gay and lesbian people throwing, tossing, racing, and rowing about all they want. I just don't understand why they would want to degrade their lifestyle, and demoralize their participants, by creating something akin to the "Special Olympics," for the physically and mentally challenged.