Local
Cleveland Gay Games organizer may be ousted
Rumors swirl over whether 2014 competition will move to D.C.
The international LGBT sports organization that chose Cleveland over D.C. and Boston for the 2014 Gay Games has taken steps to oust the non-profit foundation it selected last fall to organize the quadrennial sports competition.
The Federation of Gay Games’ decision to begin a process to revoke the license it awarded last year to the Synergy Foundation to organize and operate the 2014 Gay Games fueled speculation about whether Federation officials might seek to move the multi-million dollar athletic competition to D.C., which was deemed the runner-up city for hosting the event.
Cleveland city officials and an FGG spokesperson sought to dispel the speculation this week, saying they expect the Gay Games to take place in Cleveland as planned, although they would not comment on which entity would organize the event.
The Gay Games usually draws thousands of athlete participants and spectators from Europe, Latin America and all parts of the U.S. and Canada for two weeks, generating several million dollars in revenue for the host city. The Olympic-style competition includes sporting venues ranging from soccer and swimming to track and field events, among many others.
Last September, the FGG stunned officials with the Metropolitan Washington Gaymes, Inc., the group that organized D.C.’s bid for the Gay Games, when it announced its selection of Cleveland as the host city for the 2014 games.
The D.C. group, which had the full support of Mayor Adrian Fenty, the City Council and local business, tourist and sports groups, expected to win the bid, saying it had put together an unprecedented proposal for the games that included the use of the Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium.
FGG officials said D.C., Boston and Cleveland each submitted equally impressive and acceptable bids from a logistical and organizational standpoint. They noted that they chose Cleveland because it represented a region less advanced in LGBT rights and acceptance than D.C. and Boston and that holding the Gay Games there would have a greater impact on LGBT equality.
Recently, though, the LGBT sporting news blog, Out Sports, and the Cleveland-based LGBT news publication, Gay People’s Chronicle, have reported learning from inside sources that the FGG is dissatisfied with the work performance of Synergy Foundation, the Cleveland-based group it licensed last September to organize and operate the games.
A July 7 letter from Traci Nichols, director of Cleveland’s Department of Economic Development, which was leaked to the media, says the FGG was “exercising its right to terminate the license agreement with Synergy for the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland.”
The letter says the FGG had also agreed to “pursue voluntary mediation within fourteen days to attempt to resolve the outstanding issues.” The letter does not disclose the issues.
However, it says that Synergy failed to submit to the city a required project report due June 1.
“In light of the notice given to Synergy by the FGG, the City hereby notifies Synergy that it is suspending any further payments to Synergy until the outstanding issues between the FGG and Synergy are resolved and Synergy continues to hold the license for the 2014 Gay Games,” Nichols says in the letter.
Andrea Taylor, a spokesperson for the city, said officials would have no further comment on the matter. She noted that any additional information would have to come either from the FGG or Synergy.
Spokespersons for the two groups did not immediately return calls this week seeking comment. In a statement released on its web site, Synergy said it was optimistic that the “issues” between itself and the FGG would soon be resolved and organizing for the 2014 Gay Games would proceed as scheduled.
With the selection of a host city made more than four years in advance, the organizers and representatives of the host city of the next Gay Games traditionally appear at the current year’s games to promote the future event.
But this tradition is expected to create an awkward situation for the FGG and Cleveland officials as the FGG grapples over whether to oust Synergy Foundation from its role as organizer of the 2014 games.
Gay People’s Chronicle reports that “financial irregularities and reporting issues” appear to be among the reasons the FGG has taken steps to revoke Synergy’s license to organize and run the 2014 Gay Games.
Vince Micone, president of Metropolitan Washington Gaymes, said a member of the FGG board informed him about a week ago that the Synergy Foundation’s license to operate the games was in “mediation.” According to Micone, the board member gave no further details, saying only that bidding organizations in D.C. and Boston were being notified of the matter as a “courtesy.”
“Our first priority right now is to make sure the 2010 Gay Games are successful,” said Micone, who noted that a contingent of LGBT athletes from D.C. will be participating in the games set for July 31 through Aug. 7 in Cologne.
“We continue to be very supportive of the FGG and the Cologne games,” he said. “We don’t know what the situation is in Cleveland. All I know is what I’m reading about this in the media.”
Asked if D.C. could put together all of the components of its bid for a D.C.-based Gay Games if the FGG should choose to move the event to D.C., Micone said that would be possible.
“But it’s a moot point since we have not been asked,” he said. “If we were asked, we would consider it.”
District of Columbia
Second trans member announces plans to resign from Capital Pride board
Zion Peters cites ‘lack of interest in the Black trans community’
Zion Peters, a member of the Capital Pride Alliance Board of Directors who identifies as transgender, told the Washington Blade he plans to resign from the board “due to the lack of interest in the trans community, specifically the Black trans community.”
Peters continued, “Nobody has checked on me in the last two months so that shows their level of unprofessionalism towards their board members and the community as a whole.”
If he resigns, Peters would be the second known trans person to resign from the Capital Pride board since February, when longtime trans activist Taylor Lianne Chandler informed the board of her resignation in a detailed letter that was sent to the Blade by an anonymous source.
Chandler, who served as chair of the Capital Pride Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Intersex Committee, stated in her Feb. 24 letter that she resigned from the board out of frustration that the board had failed to address instances of “sexual misconduct” within the Capital Pride organization. The organization’s and the board’s transgender-related policies were not cited in her letter as a reason for her resignation.
The Blade learned of Peters’s plans to resign from an anonymous source who thought Peters had already resigned along with four other board members identified by the anonymous source. The others, who Capital Pride confirmed this week had resigned, include Anthony Musa, Bob Gilchrist, Kaniya Walker, and Dai Nguyen.
Musa and Gilchrist told the Blade they resigned for personal reasons related to their jobs and that they fully support Capital Pride’s work as an organization that coordinates the city’s annual LGBTQ Pride events.
The Blade has been unable to reach Walker and Nguyen to determine their reasons for resigning.
Capital Pride CEO Ryan Bos and Board Chair Anna Jinkerson didn’t respond to a Blade question asking if they knew why Walker or Nguyen resigned.
In response to a request by the Blade for comment on the resignations and the concern raised by Zion Peters about trans-related issues, Bos and Jinkerson sent separate statements elaborating on the organization and the board’s position on various issues.
“We can confirm that the individuals you referenced, except for Zion, no longer serve on the Capital Pride Alliance Board of Directors,” Jinkerson said in her statement.
She added that following the WorldPride festival hosted by D.C. last May and June that was organized by Capital Pride Alliance, the group anticipated a “significant level of board transition,” with many board members reaching the end of their terms. But she said many board members chose to extend their service or apply for an additional term, showing a “powerful reflection of commitment.”
Without commenting on the specific reasons for the resignations of Peterson, Walker, and Nygun, Jinkerson noted, “As with all volunteer leadership roles, transitions occur for a range of personal and professional reasons, and we appreciate those transitions with both understanding and gratitude.”
In his own statement, Bos addressed Capital Pride’s record on transgender issues.
“The Capital Pride Alliance is committed to supporting and uplifting the Trans community through our work with the Trans Coalition under the Diversity of Prides Initiative, our partnership with Earline Budd on the LGBTQ+ Burial Fund with a focus on our Trans siblings, our collaboration with the National Trans Visibility March, and our ongoing investment in programming for Transgender Day of Visibility and Transgender Day of Remembrance,” Bos said in his statement.
“We also recognize there is always continued work to be done, and we always welcome feedback from our community to ensure our commitment remains unwavering,” he said.
At the time of her resignation in February, Chandler said she could not provide specific details of the instances of sexual misconduct to which she referred in her resignation letter, or who allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct, saying she and all other board members had signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement preventing them from disclosing further details.
Board Chair Jinkerson in a statement released at that time said she and the board were aware of Chandler’s concerns but did not specifically address allegations of sexual misconduct.
“When concerns are brought to CPA, we act quickly and appropriately to address them,” she said. “As we continue to grow as an organization, we’re proactively strengthening the policies and procedures that shape our systems, our infrastructure, and the support we provide to our team and partners,” she said.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
The Washington Blade’s 19th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden, has joined the list of speakers, the Blade announced. She will accept an award on behalf of her brother Beau Biden for his LGBTQ advocacy work as Delaware attorney general. (Her appearance was rescheduled from last year.)
The event, to be held this year at Diego’s (37298 Rehoboth Ave. Ext.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient will be introduced at the event.
The event will also feature remarks from state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall. New CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Diego’s.
A suggested donation of $25 is partially tax deductible and includes a drink ticket and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
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