Boston will not host 2014 Gay Games

Boston saw defeat Sept. 29 in Cologne, Germany, as it was announced by the Gay Games Federation that Cleveland, OH, had been chosen to host the 2014 Gay Games.

"We congratulate Cleveland and wish them the best of luck. We are proud of our team representing Boston -- and thank Mayor Tom Menino and Governor Deval Patrick for their full support. We thank the entire LGBT community for their support," Linda DeMarco, co-chair of grassroots organization Boston 2014, which championed the city's campaign to host the Games, said Sept. 29.

"Unfortunately, due to the current economic climate, Boston was unable to commit the public funds necessary to host the 2014 games, and Cleveland was able to do that. We wish our teams the best of luck in Cleveland."

In spite of intense and admirable effort from Boston 2014, Beantown will not play host to the Games. While the campaign saw wholehearted support from several city and state officials -- including Gov. Deval Patrick, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, Mayor Thomas Menino, and at-large City Councilor John Connolly -- the Gay Games Federation selected Cleveland, OH to host the Games. The Games will bring an estimated $70 million economic boon to the city in five years.

"Cleveland demonstrated to the Federation of Gay Games that they understood the mission of the Gay Games and our principles of 'Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best,'" Kurt Dahl and Emy Ritt, co-presidents of the Federation of Gay Games, said in a Sept. 29 statement. "We were highly impressed by the facilities and infrastructure, the widespread community sport, their financial plan, and the city's experience in hosting large scale sports and cultural events."

Despite the defeat, however, the enthusiasm and support that was garnered within the Boston community is a victory in and of itself; the citizens and officials who came together at rallies and fundraisers single-handedly ushered Boston into the final top three finalists, preserving our city in the memories of adversaries and supporters as a community that values equality, passion, and a camaraderie that borders on the familial.