What a bunch of whiney b!tches in Boston. It's not an event I would go to but I'm glad Cleveland got it.

^sounds like sour grapes.

^sounds like sour grapes.

 

Oh trust me, DC is the same.  I wouldnt be surprised if a similar story comes out from DC complaining how it wasnt fair, Cleveland got it.  DC arrogantly thought they won it as well.  Even at the announcemnt ceremony, DC came across as extremely arrogant to the Cleveland contingent and even Boston as if they had it in the bag, talking about how they were going to be doing things etc....  "but We're DC"

 

All I know is there community rally in DC was beyond pathetic, and frankly embarrasing.  From everything I had seen, Cleveland blew them out of the water. 

 

^sounds like sour grapes.

 

Boston thinks its the center of the universe. It's a bitter grape to swallow.

Child boo. Nobody is thinking about non diverse racist Boston. 

 

DC kick rocks!

Is anyone really surprised that Boston sports fans are whiney, cockey, b*tches?  Ask any Red Sox fan about the Yankees.

 

Boston sucks.

What the hell is going on...??

 

Letter: Cleveland halts Gay Games funds

Jul 19th, 2010 by Cyd Zeigler jr.

 

Outsports has obtained a copy of a letter sent from the City of Cleveland to the Cleveland Synergy Foundation stating that the Federation of Gay Games is terminating Synergy’s license agreement for Gay Games 2014 and the City is halting all payments to Synergy. The letter, dated July 7, 2010, is from Tracey A. Nichols, director of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Cleveland.

 

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/

 

 

 

And then it says the GCSC might be taking over...?

 

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/07/16/breaking-more-on-gay-games-cleveland/

 

Well I dont know and hopefully it doesnt turn out to be anything embarrasing for Cleveland (especially considering how much I was making fun of the Washingtonians)

 

I certainly dont think it would be a bad thing to have the GCSC handle the event since they have such a great track record, and I always thought they should have a bigger role anyway.

Well I dont know and hopefully it doesnt turn out to be anything embarrasing for Cleveland (especially considering how much I was making fun of the Washingtonians)

 

I certainly dont think it would be a bad thing to have the GCSC handle the event since they have such a great track record, and I always thought they should have a bigger role anyway.

 

Agreed

Not to knock Synergy and the terriffic energy they've put into this, but it has not seemed to be the open and transparent organization to date. And I don't know if it really makes sense to put the funds into ramping up a new organization to manage this event when we already have a proven track record with the GCSC. That being said, whoever runs this shindig should actively promote involvement from the LGBT (and friends) community; we should be harnessing the energy of volunteers to make the event an opportunity for focused community development and positive press coverage, and we should be having those conversations now in a more community-driven way. I may just be bitter because I've offered to volunteer a couple times and never received a response back :)

it would be great if CSF did the "front of the house duties" being the gracious host, identifying the needs of the LBGT community, directing the feel and look of the events, while the GCSC could do the "back of the house" finanical management, etc.

Thats what I hope is shaking out.

Not too much new info...but from the PD:

 

Federation of Gay Games and Cleveland organizers having problems

Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 12:42 PM   

Mark Gillispie, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Federation of Gay Games and the company that is supposed to help produce the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron are at odds, although no one at this point will say why.

 

Everyone insists, however, that Cleveland remains the host city for the games, which are expected to attract thousands of people from around the globe.

 

 

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is expected to step in and assume a bigger role in organizing the games should the federation sever its ties with Synergy. The sports commission and its head, David Gilbert, organized the successful 38th International Children's Games held in Cleveland in 2004.

 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/officials_mum_about_problems_b.html

 

Cleveland synergy has lost it's license:

 

http://outsports.com/gaygames2010/2010/08/04/cleveland-synergy-loses-gay-games/

 

from KSU:

 

http://www.wksu.org/news/story/25965

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

 

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC

http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 

Would they Lebron us?

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

 

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC

http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 

 

Only people who think we have a bad perception.  I'm so sick of this same song and dance.

 

This has nothing to do with perception, but a legality issue, so I'd like to ask why you question that?

I wonder what's going on with that FGG-Synergy relationship.  Seriously not cool how this is playing out.

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

 

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC

http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 

 

Only people who think we have a bad perception.  I'm so sick of this same song and dance.

 

This has nothing to do with perception, but a legality issue, so I'd like to ask why you question that?

 

The perception of ineptness.  How the Cleveland groups( Gay organization and city) are seemingly not strong enough to host the event, hence the perception that has been created.  Now do I personally believe this? No. But the perception is out there now, especially with Synergy going down.

 

I think with the creation of a new non-profit, and teaming up the the City and GCSC, Cleveland can through a world-class event.

I wonder if people will be going all-out to steal the games from Cleveland now because of our bad perception:

 

Cleveland Could Very Well Lose the 2014 Gay Games to DC

http://www.queerty.com/cleveland-could-very-well-lose-the-2014-gay-games-to-d-c-20100813/

 

 

Only people who think we have a bad perception.  I'm so sick of this same song and dance.

 

This has nothing to do with perception, but a legality issue, so I'd like to ask why you question that?

 

The perception of ineptness.  How the Cleveland groups( Gay organization and city) are seemingly not strong enough to host the event, hence the perception that has been created.  Now do I personally believe this? No. But the perception is out there now, especially with Synergy going down.

 

I think with the creation of a new non-profit, and teaming up the the City and GCSC, Cleveland can through a world-class event.

 

I'm trying to understand what that has to do with this particular article.  Where does it say or imply that the city isn't strong enough to pull of the event?  This is a licensing/legal issue. This has nothing to do with perception.  The article mentions nothing about perceptions.  If another city had been awarded the games, DC would still be complaining and bitching!

^It's more than a licensing/legal issue- it's the disintegration of the relationship between the group that put the host bid together and the FGG.  Which will be even worse if Synergy turns it into a protracted legal dispute based on its signed agreement.  It's not a stretch to imagine that other cities will revive their bids and apply pressure on the FGG to move the games if things appear to be messy or chaotic in Cleveland.  I'm not predicting that, but MH's fretting doesn't seem baseless.

^It's more than a licensing/legal issue- it's the disintegration of the relationship between the group that put the host bid together and the FGG.  Which will be even worse if Synergy turns it into a protracted legal dispute based on its signed agreement.  It's not a stretch to imagine that other cities will revive their bids and apply pressure on the FGG to move the games if things appear to be messy or chaotic in Cleveland.  I'm not predicting that, but MH's fretting doesn't seem baseless.

 

I agree with what you say, but the "worrying" about the licensing and agreement with Games folks, has nothing to do with Cleveland's perception.

Anyone else hear about this?  Synergy is suing the Federation of Gay Games and the City of Cleveland:

 

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/09/02/cleveland-synergy-sues-the-gay-games/

^Yup.  Cleveland.com ran an article a few days ago with the news: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/09/synergy_foundation_sues_clevel.html

 

Synergy Foundation sues Cleveland, Federation of Gay Games claiming they conspired to dump group

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the non-profit group that won the bid to bring the 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland and Akron, claims a high-ranking official from the city of Cleveland conspired with the Federation of Gay Games to yank Synergy's license to produce the Games.

 

Awesome.

Bravo Cleveland PD:

 

Cleveland must forge ahead, undistracted, on Gay Games

 

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/09/cleveland_must_forge_ahead_und.html

I'm not sure if you guys know about this, but there is something terrible going on with the leadership who brought the Gay Games to Cleveland. Frank jackson and some others have kicked them out of the leadership position and it is a very bitter situation. The 2 guys who led the coalition to get the games here worked their ASSES off for YEARS and traveled all over the world to meet with the officials and do the hard work to get the games here, and now it's being taken away from them in what sounds like more stuff the local government shouldn't be meddling in:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/10/federation_of_gay_games_signs.html

^There has to be two sides to this story.  If it was just City Hall bashing them, I doubt the Federation of Gay Games would simply go along with it. 

My feeling is that jackson et al wanted to insert themselves into this for the PR, and oust the original company. I found the complaint online.  http://media.cleveland.com/pdextra/other/144921.pdf

Rich Haber and Andy Kabat are excellent attorneys.  Some of the better litigators in this town.  But 200+ paragraphs in the Complaint.... sheesh!

I know, right? My head was swimming and I just skimmed it.

Not to question all the hard work that went into applying for this honor, but it seemed to me like the Federation had some legitimate concerns about timeliness of reporting, adhering to rules about pre-Games events, etc. The most important thing for the Federation and for Cleveland is that the event is put together really, really well, and there were some apparent concerns about Synergy's capacity to do that. Which is not a slight to them ... I think it's rare that the best team to land an opportunity is also the best team to carry out all the prep work for the opportunity ... No more than I would expect the Development Director of MOCA to go from writing successful grants to operating a crane when they build their new home.

 

I think there have also been some legitimate concerns in the LGBT community that, to date, there has not been meaningful engagement of the LGBT community in planning activities for the Games; some, myself included, have suggested that Synergy has been holding their cards very close to their chest. Again, not necessarily a critique of them, as we are talking about an event that's nearly 4 years away. My main hope is that something collegial can be worked out and that Synergy can still be engaged in some meaningful way. For me, though, it's only sensible that our CVBs, Sports Commission, LGBT Center, etc. are engaged. If Synergy didn't already have them at the table, well, that again gives me pause about capacity.

Not to question all the hard work that went into applying for this honor, but it seemed to me like the Federation had some legitimate concerns about timeliness of reporting, adhering to rules about pre-Games events, etc. The most important thing for the Federation and for Cleveland is that the event is put together really, really well, and there were some apparent concerns about Synergy's capacity to do that. Which is not a slight to them ... I think it's rare that the best team to land an opportunity is also the best team to carry out all the prep work for the opportunity ... No more than I would expect the Development Director of MOCA to go from writing successful grants to operating a crane when they build their new home.

 

I think there have also been some legitimate concerns in the LGBT community that, to date, there has not been meaningful engagement of the LGBT community in planning activities for the Games; some, myself included, have suggested that Synergy has been holding their cards very close to their chest. Again, not necessarily a critique of them, as we are talking about an event that's nearly 4 years away. My main hope is that something collegial can be worked out and that Synergy can still be engaged in some meaningful way. For me, though, it's only sensible that our CVBs, Sports Commission, LGBT Center, etc. are engaged. If Synergy didn't already have them at the table, well, that again gives me pause about capacity.

 

Bingo.  Some people even offered up free services.  They've heard NADA.

 

In order to pull this off, they need all the help, resources and contacts they can get.

Not to question all the hard work that went into applying for this honor, but it seemed to me like the Federation had some legitimate concerns about timeliness of reporting, adhering to rules about pre-Games events, etc. The most important thing for the Federation and for Cleveland is that the event is put together really, really well, and there were some apparent concerns about Synergy's capacity to do that. Which is not a slight to them ... I think it's rare that the best team to land an opportunity is also the best team to carry out all the prep work for the opportunity ... No more than I would expect the Development Director of MOCA to go from writing successful grants to operating a crane when they build their new home.

 

I think there have also been some legitimate concerns in the LGBT community that, to date, there has not been meaningful engagement of the LGBT community in planning activities for the Games; some, myself included, have suggested that Synergy has been holding their cards very close to their chest. Again, not necessarily a critique of them, as we are talking about an event that's nearly 4 years away. My main hope is that something collegial can be worked out and that Synergy can still be engaged in some meaningful way. For me, though, it's only sensible that our CVBs, Sports Commission, LGBT Center, etc. are engaged. If Synergy didn't already have them at the table, well, that again gives me pause about capacity.

 

Bingo.  Some people even offered up free services.  They've heard NADA.

 

In order to pull this off, they need all the help, resources and contacts they can get.

 

Yes I agree as well.  But the haters in DC are pushing that the games were awarded to the organization (Synergy) and if they are not carryed out by them, then the contract is void and they should get the games in DC, since they were apparently the runner up (What a bunch of sore losers).  But yes they will be trying every angle. 

 

Thats why its vital that we dont fumble this...  (some already feel that this little bump is an indication that we cant carry this out succesfully), but then I just point out our amzing party at the Rock Hall compared to DC's scarry rally... 

 

Anyway, maybe Cleveland got the official "all clear" since I havent heard anything too recently.

With the 2014 Gay Games coming, could we designate a specific neighborhood as Cleveland's Gay Urban Center?  Hopefully sproating new lounges, restaurants, clubs and boutiques

 

Detroit-Shoreway stretching into Edgewater-Clifton.

The Gordon Square District could and should be the center. The Cleve LGBT Center is located there and could become more visible. Detroit Ave. on down to Ohio City seems like a natural progression the other way. The milieu is here...just needs enhanced.

Can we designate it in the thread dedicated to this event?

 

Edit - that's better.

 

Now.... how do we go about 'designating' such a place?

 

Parse away, hts121.

Whatever the neighborhood scenario is like in 2014, I can guarantee that the Gay Urban Center for that 8-day event will be at the Kimpton-Schofield Hotel (provided it's ready for occupants).

This is one of those things that I really hope the city is thinking about in advance of the Games. The difficulty, I think, is that the scene is split into several clusters ... A couple bars north of Asiatown (between St. Clair and Hamilton), several in Ohio City, particularly around W. 28th/Detroit, several bars in Edgewater (but spread out between Lorain and Clifton, generally close to 117th, and then, as mentioned The Center is in Gordon Square (although no gay bars). To me, the most appealing location from a visual perspective would be in-fill in the parking lots fronting Detroit and Church around Bounce, The Tool Shed, Man's World, Club Cleveland, etc. at W. 28 / Detroit. This may not be the case, though, if the street has been widened to accommodate new routing with the Shoreway conversion. If we're trying to locate near a density of gay population, it seems Edgewater would be a natural choice, maybe along Clifton (as I'm not sure the parking-in-front, huge setback style of 117th is really the visual story we want to tell about Cleveland), although it's pretty spatially removed from the hotels and sporting venues downtown. Of course, you could also leverage the event to have a "Pop Up District", maybe in the warehouses north of Asiatown, or maybe along lower Prospect?

 

Who knows? Lots of opportunity, but this would require a great deal of forethough, and I haven't heard a peep about anyone even contemplating working on this concept.

 

Has there ever been an update on the confirmation that the Games will definitely be held here? When last we posted, there was a lot of brewhaha about the diminished role of Synergy and the greater role of the Sports Commission, and the contract negotiations still needed to be ironed out before the designation was finalized ...

Apparently there are still court battles being fought...  A judge ruled for the city in one instance I know of, but there is still a suit against the city by Synergy.  But the important thing is that the Federation has officially ruled that they would be held in Cleveland, but I think people need to hear more about whats happening.  Like is there a big plan in the works and where things stand..?  But do know that people are working tirelessly behind the scenes...

 

As far as a ground zero, I guess with the lack of a centralized district and gay bars, likely the clubs and bars downtown would just become gay bars for the duration of the event, much like they would for the G2H2 happy hours. Then maybe certain neighborhoods could host events on certain nights (tremont/gay gallery hop and restaurant night, Detroit Shoreway, gay themed productions, movies and restaurants one night and so on...), since I think with the current state of everything gay, concentrating on one neighborhood might be setting up for disappointment with the lack of a centralized gay area as many larger cities have, it would give a taste of some of Cleveland's cool but possibly hard to find neighborhoods.     

Per the discussion on where the social hub of the games should be, (depending on the retail mix) I vote for Uptown.  It will be new, shiny, and it will bring people to the embarrassment of cultural riches this little burg has :)

And they can get drunk

A Warm-up to the Gay Games

 

 

Cleveland Synergy Festival July 29-31, 2011

 

The Basketball and Volleyball games should be really good. 

 

https://synergyfest.org/Home_Page.php

 

 

Show you're support!

Cleveland To Pay Nearly Half Million Dollars To Settle 2014 Gay Games Suit

By On Top Magazine Staff

Published: July 28, 2011

 

The City of Cleveland has agreed to pay nearly half a million dollars to settle a lawsuit over who will produce the 2014 Gay Games.

 

The lawsuit, filed last September in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, alleged that the City of Cleveland and the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) conspired to knock out Cleveland Synergy Foundation from acting as host of the games.

 

http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=9055&MediaType=1&Category=26

Didn't see a thread for this exclusively.  Thought as info comes up we could use one:

 

http://www.2014gaygamescleveland.com/

 

 

P.S. I snapped a screen grab of the quote below.  Hopefully others will begin to see Cleveland in that same light (::cough cough:: RNC/DNC)

 

Burnham,

 

What about this one?

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17526.0.html

Yeesh... if they could pare that down to about four minutes and remove the fuzzy stills, they might have something.

^Truth in advertising

Lost track of this. Are the games still happening ?

2014.

Think about how "new" the city will be for first time visitors.

New convention center, new casino, all sorts of new on Euclid Ave, downtown, CSU and uptown, Flats, aquarium, Market District....

I think this event will be a great showcase for the city.

2014.

Think about how "new" the city will be for first time visitors.

New convention center, new casino, all sorts of new on Euclid Ave, downtown, CSU and uptown, Flats, aquarium, Market District....

I think this event will be a great showcase for the city.

 

Yeah and hopefully some new great hotel brands by then (this will really help to set a tone, right MTS)...

 

But also, hopefully there will be some new establishments for the crowd to go to.  Im not sure what happened there, whether most of the gay population moved away or scattered, but considering what a groundbreaking place Cleveland was in its day, there really isnt much of anything now, and the places that are there dont seem very well supported. 

 

If nothing else my hope would be that places in general will become "host" bars, restaurants, whatever... and that they will also hold events, dances and such in some of the cities grand spaces and lobbies.       

 

 

^^^ real talk. Bounce/Union Station, the "flagship" gay club of Cleveland is in a sad state...