Chicago, Gay Games

[MichaelHarris]

Found some cooler weather on my trip to Chicago, the Gay Games had the volleyball games at the Navy Pier. Watched some wonderful games and met some equally wonderful people. I took my wife later after she got out of her meeting, it was one of the only places where she would let me hang out with hot chicks by myself. If anyone has an interest in street photography in the Chicago area I'll be here until Sat.

The main thing I came away with was this, I saw teams made up of young people, old people, out of shape people, and everyone in between. When I was growing up we excluded those types when we formed teams. The Gay Games seems all inclusive, I saw nothing but tolerence, acceptance, non-judgement, and peace and love. I think there is alot we can learn from the Gay Community.

And now for the pictures, I used my new/old Nikkor 200mm and my 50. The organizers let me sit right on the edge of the courts. They must have thought I was important.









I find all my peace in being tolerant and non-judgemental. The few times I slip make me very sad and fearful. It's like watching Fox News, all you feel is fear and intolerance.

Nothing captures the street like an old Leica:

[Kikosexy2]

1. Hugs to ..

you and your wife for being gay-friendly...love Chicago--wonderful town to visit...hope my L.A. gay soccer team is doing good...but knowing them they're probably at some bar/club being merry and Mary and gay!!

[MichaelHarris]

2. LOL

That's funny, the only soccer team I saw was dancing in the street. That has to be the LA team!! It's so hot here that I've not caught many of the outdoor events, I want to. I did catch the end of the immigration parade and shot some of the kids playing in a fountain. I'll have to wait and develop those when I get home becausde I was shooting BW that day.

[Kikosexy2]

23. My soccer buddies...

dancing in the streets instead of bringing home the Gold...after I helped donating to get them to Chicago and win...they're dancing in the streets...cheers to them...party on boys!!

[sgxnk]

3. apparently,

this is not a COMPETITIVE sports event

how can you be "nonjudgmental" and "inclusive" and have a competitive sports event?

the whole method of choosing team members in competitive sports is to BE judgmental and non-inclusive

if u think about it

[MichaelHarris]

4. If you

narrow your view of competition so much that all you see is a trophy then I guess you're right. That's not the point I wanted to make. I just wanted to show what acceptance can do. Think of what the world would be like if everyone could learn that from the Gay Community.

[sgxnk]

7. my point is

that's groovy, but it's not what competitive sports are about

people want to watch the NBA because they are phenomenal athletes

i don't want to watch a bunch of 5'2" uncoordinated doods play basketball

i'd rather watch elite athletes

my point is that "inclusiveness" and nonjudgmentalism is antithetical to COMPETITIVE sports

so, i was making a comment that apparently the gay games is not a competition such as the paralympics, the olympics, etc. that are - competitive

it would bore me out of my skull to watch mediocre athletes "compete". but that is what you get (mediocrity) when you are inclusive and nonjudgmental regarding athletic talent on a team

more power to em.

[MichaelHarris]

8. well

you got one thing right, "more power to em".

[sgxnk]

9. actually

i got EVERYTHING right :)

[MichaelHarris]

10. I'm

sure you think you do. What time is The Oreilly Factor BTW?

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MichaelHarris]

14. Just wondering

did the shoe fit?

[sgxnk]

16. no

but your stalinist ad hominem tactics apparently suit you just fine

[MichaelHarris]

19. maybe

I took offense at you calling people from all over the world, taking time from their families and jobs to travel to a wonderful city like Chicago to put on such a community event "mediocre". If you took time to look at any of the pictures I posted it was far from boring. Maybe you like your atheletes pumped up and payed well, I don't know.

You want some sort of debate I'm sure, I just don't have time to label the people who came here from all over as mediocre and boring. There are plenty of places on the internet and street corners to have that debate. If the pictures from the Games bore you move on, they obviously interested you enough to post your comments.

If I offended you with the Bill Oreilly comment then I'm sorry but if the shoe fit you should be strong enough to admit it. It's far worse to sulk around corners and bait debate. Watch how easy it is for me, "I'm a proud Liberal and I accept everyone except those who hate". That felt good, you should try it. Honesty is so wonderful.

[sgxnk]

21. to clarify

mediocre ATHLETES

if a "competition" is all inclusive and nonjudgmental when it comes to athletic talent, then it will have mediocre athletes

QED

competitive sports don't (lord knows) discriminate on account of character (or lack thereof). they discriminate on account of sports TALENT

[donco6]

20. Obviously, you've never been there.

Thankfully.

At any rate, the Gay Games are intensely competitive. The OP didn't say they let just anyone WIN. But they do let everyone PLAY.

Enjoy your stay.

[MichaelHarris]

22. Thank you donco6

I couldn't have said it better.

[prolesunited]

5. You must have missed the protesters then

Blue-Jay and I were at Millenium Park for a performance of Carmina Burana and there were a few protesters there at the entrance to the pavilion's lawn seating area with hateful signs spouting hateful garbage. Their problem was that the Gay Games chorale performance was to follow.

Jason had quite a few words with one of them. We checked with the cops to see if they had a permit. First Jason did and they weren't sure and later I went back and he assured me that they did without hesitation. Frankly, I think they were lying. It made me made because when we do war or Bush protests, we get penned into free speech zones. Their right to protest should be honored as much as ours, but I just wish the treatment was equal.

Anyway, one guy was ranting on and on and his voice really carried. Everyone was just ignoring them and trying to enjoy socializing and picnics prior to the concert. Finally, Jason yelled, "Shut up!" and quite a few people applauded.

The park's management let them stay during the concert, but the cops were there to make sure they were quiet and stopped harassing people as they entered. Later, they finally moved them away from the entrance.

We ended up missing our train so we stayed and listened to the chorale performance, which was quite good. We could see the fireworks at Navy Pier and the energy of the crowd drowned out all of the hatefulness that was on display earlier.

[MichaelHarris]

6. I did miss that

I had to go to Central Camera and get some more film, the parade down Wabash had just ended ans was on it's way to Millinium Park. I walked there as fast as I could and shot the tail end of it. I bought a little Hispanic guy some ice cream but didn't shoot pics of him. He walked up and said, "Can I have a dollar?" I said sure thing. He followed me over to the ice cream stand and wanted one that cost 2.50. The guy wouldn't let him have one so I explained I didn't know the boy but I would buy his ice cream.

The little guy stuck his hand out and said, "My name is Richard" I shook his hand, introduced myself, told him to keep the dollar and gave him his ice cream. Some things don't need to be photographed to make you feel good and remember.

[Blue-Jay]

17. You might want to edit for clarity.

"Anyway, one gay guy was ranting on and on and his voice really carried."

[warrens]

11. Where exactly were you in town where it was COOL?

Today isn't so bad, due to the rain, but man, it's been SIZZLING here.

[MichaelHarris]

12. LOL

The Navy Pier, in that arena they have there. Today I'm in my room waiting to go down and do some more street stuff. You're right though, Sunday and Monday was like Africa hot, Tarzan couldn't stand this heat. (I stole that from Ferris Beuller when he was in Biloxi Blues)

[bleedingheart]

15. I was there this past weekend...did you see the "tolerant" folks with

their nasty signs?

I saw them when I was walking along Michigan Avenue....

[MichaelHarris]

18. I missed that but

I did here some people in the airport complaining about the "people" invading thier city.

[Blue_Tires]

24. great shots

ttt