Among the lineup of events that participants
and spectators will enjoy are: badminton, bowling, body-building, cycling, diving, figure skating, golf, ice hockey, marathon, martial arts, rowing, swimming, track-and-field, triathlon, wrestling and volleyball— to name just a fraction of the events scheduled for GG9. “We’ve got thirty-six-plus sporting events,” says Nobbe, who has played semi-professional beach vol- leyball. “We’ve got 6,500 athletes in the pipeline and we’re expecting 8,000 to 9,000.” “The coming influx of tens of thousands of athletes,
spectators and volunteers has the Akron-Cleveland area ripe with anticipation,” says Nobbe, who assures his hometown is going to be ready to impress. “We’re doing great,” he told The Rage Monthly. “It’s going to be a special experience unlike some of the other big metro areas. There’s a lot of other big happenings dur- ing the week as well; the region is really anticipating this event.” “It’s important to remember,” says Nobbe, “that
doug graham
happen and dedicated myself to reclaiming my life by competing there on stage.” This year, Graham will return to the Gay Games and compete in the Masters category of bodybuilding. Champion bowler, Jim Hahn is even more of a Gay
james hahn
Games veteran, having been at every event since 1982. Asked whether the games have changed the way society views the LGBT community, he questions the construct of the question itself. “Because the games have not been as visibly integrated in to the public sphere as say a Pride celebration, I believe they really benefit us, particularly as a source of pride in our collective selves,” Hahn says. “I believe the Games give us the chance to feel better about each other.” It is important to note, all are welcome to participate and enjoy the Gay Games, regardless of sexual orientation or athletic ability. But Jim Hahn, who was inspired by Gay Games
Gay Games 9 is as much a cultural festival as a sport- ing event. “ Boy George is one of the headlining acts at GG9, happening Saturday, August 9 through Saturday, August 16. Other entertainers playing dur- ing the event are Ana Matronic, singer-songwriter of top-selling, Grammy-nominated band, Scissor Sisters; electro-pop star, Bright Light-Bright Light, who has been called “the hottest new thing in music” by Sir Elton John; and Queer as Folk star, Hal Sparks—to name a few. But of course, competitive sports are the main attraction. We spoke with two
veterans of past Gay Games who will be at the 9th installment of the games next month in Akron-Cleveland. One of those two athletes is bodybuilder, Doug Gra- ham, 58 of Palm Springs. “This is my second go ‘round with the Gay Games,” Gra- ham told The Rage Monthly. “The first time was eight years ago in ‘06 in Chicago. It was, for me then, not just a contest but rather a way for me to reclaim my life.” Graham won a silver medal in 2006. But just nine months earlier, he was facing a
deadly case of salmonella poisoning and was being worn down by years of living with HIV/AIDS. “This also included dementia so severe that this member of Mensa could not even figure out how to dial a phone,” he says, recalling how the love and care of friends and family—and determination to go to the 2006 Gay Games— saved him. “I found out about the Gay Games four months before they were to
50 RAGE monthly | JULY 2014 | JULY 2014
founder, Dr. Tom Wadell, to participate from the event’s inception more than a quarter century ago, believes the games have done more to improve LGBT people’s view of themselves than to impact how non-LGBTs see us. “They are very successful…in terms of the opportunity for the LGBT community to enjoy and to participate in something of our own success,” he says. For information about participating, volunteering or just at- tending the 2014 Gay Games 9 as a spectator, go to
gg9cle.com.
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