When the 2014 Gay Games descend on Cleveland and Akron Aug. 9-16, Northeast Ohio—and the Case Western Reserve University campus—will help foster an inclusive environment.
The university, ranked by The Huffington Post in 2013 as one of the top 25 Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender (LGBT)-friendly colleges in the country, will welcome hundreds of athletes to its campus for the 2014 Games. The Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center will serve as the host site for racquetball, wrestling and grappling, squash and water polo.
A full schedule of the games can be found here: http://www.gg9cle.com/plan-my-visit/event-schedule/.
Case Western Reserve will lend more than just its athletic facilities to the games, though. At least six members of the campus community plan to participate in many of the 35 cultural and sporting events.
The participants discussed their sport or activity, why they think it’s important to get involved with the games and what aspect of the games they’re most excited about:
Sarah Robinson
Position at CWRU: Assistant Director of the Schubert Center for Child Studies; Master’s student in French
Activity/Sport: Dancer in the opening ceremonies (Aug. 9); performing with LED (light-emitting diode) fans during Festival Village (Aug. 10)
What is your background in dance?
I was an undergraduate student here with a minor in dance. I was introduced to local flow dancers in November and went to festivals. There are lots of different flow arts. Being a dancer, I felt called to the fans, so I started to teach myself in November.
Bill Coller
Position at CWRU: Applications developer in the School of Graduate Studies and School of Law
Activity/Sport: 5k; half-marathon
What are you most excited about for the games?
I’m excited to welcome everyone that’s not from Cleveland. I’m looking forward to showing off the hospitality of Clevelanders, and I hope they’ll see the positive things in the city. I have taken the whole week off to participate and take in the games. I think the opening ceremony will be a blast.
Stuart Oakes
Position at CWRU: Associate Director of Prospect Management in the Advancement Services Department
Sport/Activity: Swimming; singing in the chorus
Why do you think it’s important to participate in the games?
There are so many reasons. It’s important for me, because, growing up in rural Mississippi, I didn’t really fit in. This is my first real opportunity to play on a team. It doesn’t have to be this hyper-masculine experience. It’s important to find a place where you can play sports and fit in. It’s important for a place in the Midwest to host an event for gay rights.
Paul Cheng
Position at CWRU: MD/PhD student in the Medical Scientist Training Program
Activity/Sport: Competitive swimming
What is your background in swimming?
I swam until sophomore year in college, then stopped for about 10 years. I’ve been swimming since I was about 10. I swam (on the) junior varsity (team) in high school and played water polo and swam in college. I’ve been handed the torch this year and am now team captain for Aqua Docs, our Case Med IM swim team. We’ve been the IM swim league champions two years running (’12-’13 and ’13-’14). Joining Aqua Docs back in February and competing in the IM Swim League Meet was a great way to kick off the training.
Nicola Goodall
Position at CWRU: Project Manager in the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine
Activity/Sport: Swimming individual events and relays
What are you most excited about for the games?
I’m excited about competing. I’m also excited for the events—the parties and musical events. I’m looking forward to the influx from all over the world. I think it’ll bring life to downtown.
Brian Thornton
Position at CWRU: Director of Communications and Marketing, College of Arts and Sciences; double alum
Activity/Sport: Co-chair of Festival Village committee, running in the 5k Rotary
Why do you think it’s important to participate in the Gay Games?
My involvement is that I want to make sure they’re the best games they can be to showcase the Cleveland area. I want it to show the best face possible from people coming from all over the world. These games are changing the mindsets of people in the area for the LGBT community. It’s something really positive for Northeast Ohio.