Outreach
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Visit www.GayGamesChicago.org,
E-mail info@GayGamesChicago.org,
Phone (USA +1) (773) 907-2006.

Why get involved?

Participate - Open to All

The Gay Games are open to anyone. There are no pre-qualifying events, no minimum or maximum performance requirements, and no mandatory affiliations.

Studies have shown that if you remain active as you get older you're less likely to suffer from illness, you’ll enjoy a better lifestyle and you'll live longer.

The Gay Games are built on the founding principles of Pursuit of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best, and promote a supportive environment, free from bigotry, where participants achieve success by their own measure. More than a tournament or cultural program, the Gay Games are a gathering of the international sports and arts community that changes lives, attitudes, and the very nature of competition.

For older sports enthusiasts, there are more than 30 sports to choose from and 20 of these have age categories (5-year divisions) that enable you to compete with your peers, including new age categories in team events. In addition, there are a number of non-impact sports that are suitable for those with limited mobility or physical strength.

  • Team Sports with 50+ age categories
    Basketball, Softball (slow pitch), Volleyball.
  • Individual sports with 50+ age categories
    Aquatics (Swimming, Diving etc), Bowling, Cycling, DanceSport, Figure Skating, Golf, Marathon/Half Marathon, Physique, Power-lifting, Racquetball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field (Track Events, Field Events, Men's Decathlon and Women's Heptathlon), Triathlon.
  • Non-impact sports suitable for 50+ participants
    Sailing, Pool/Billiards, Darts.

Culture Vultures
If you're not a sports enthusiast, there's plenty to enjoy at the Gay Games Cultural Festival. In addition to the Arts, there are also Choral and Band events. For the first time, color guards and cheer teams will be part of the Band program, adding even more excitement and energy to the week-long cultural festival.

Volunteer and Make New Friends
Even if you don't feel you can participate in a sport, you can always elect to volunteer to help with the organization of the event. Volunteers can get involved in a number of current projects including: planning, fund-raising, special events, marketing, sports administration, public relations, international outreach, cultural programs, office administration, technology, registration, administration and guides to name a few. We welcome you to take on smaller tasks or to get involved in larger-scale projects and planning. Local gay sports groups in your area may also require assistance to help prepare for the event.

Donate and Sponsorship
If you can't make it to the Gay Games event but would like to help financially, even a small donation may benefit gay peoples in places where the value and self-respect of the gay community is rarely publicly demonstrated. The Gay Games Scholarship Program also provides sponsorship for financially disadvantaged individuals to attend the event.

Enjoy the Spectacle
A the Chicago Games, most activities will be held at four sports villages to maximize convenience and to foster camaraderie and support among participants. The villages, easily accessible by public transportation, are built around some of Chicago's most inviting recreational, cultural, and historic centers.

Some older people have hidden their sexuality for many years out of fear or from family pressure. The Gay Games enable people of any sexual persuasion to participate – gay, straight, bisexual or transsexual – without fear of retribution or ridicule.

Socialize - Get Out and About
Many older gay people find it difficult to find social outlets in the gay scene. The benefit of being involved in the Gay Games movement is that it enables participants and volunteers to interact with a whole variety of people in a non-threatening environment. For those who are not sports-inclined, the Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival provides a whole range of activities that you can participate in or help to organize, whatever your abilities.

Breaking the gay generations barriers
The gay scene tends to be very segregated, leaving little opportunity for the older and younger gay generations to meet. Everybody was young once – most will be old one day – and it helps to understand what that means. With the development of gay partnerships and gay marriage we need to evolve gay society so that it mirrors some of the better aspects of straight society so it becomes more rounded and less youth-orientated. The Gay Games is an opportunity to help to build bridges.

What do I do next?
All you have to do is register! Visit www.GayGamesChicago.org, e-mail info@GayGamesChicago.org, or phone (USA +1) (773) 907-2006.