Bringing Home the Gold

Abby Wambach. Ian Thorpe. Michael Sam. Sheryl Swoopes. These are just a few names of openly gay US athletes. With more athletes finding the courage and willingness to be open about their sexuailties, one would think their actions would make sweeping positive changes in the world of sports. But just because your team takes the lead doesn’t necessarily guarantee a win. Homophobia and discrimination are still soaked deep into the locker-room walls of high schools, colleges, and professional sports arenas, lingering like stubborn stains that refuse to come out no matter how hard you scrub.

While gay sporting events have cropped up all over the world to bring attention to the athletic prowess of our LGBT brothers and sisters, among the largest of them is the Gay Games. Started in 1980 by Dr. Tom Waddell, the Gay Games were conceived as a catalyst for change not only in the gay community, but the athletic community as well. The Games are open to individuals of any sexuality, athletic ability, age, physical challenge, or health status.

It’s this philosophy of equality and fair play that first inspired Kent Seidel to participate in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. In addition to being a fifth-degree black belt in Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu, Kent also currently serves as an associate professor and director of the Center for Practiced Engaged Education Research (C-PEER) at the University of Colorado Denver. He was a second-degree black belt when he participated in the Gay Games for the first time, which is also when he came out to his instructor. Much like the military, there was an unspoken “don’t ask, don’t tell” code in Kent’s martial-arts studio. It was with great relief that Kent was accepted and trained by his teacher.

After witnessing hundreds of openly gay martial artists at the Gay Games, Kent was inspired to bring that energy and opportunity to Denver. “It was the ability to participate with folks from all walks of life,” Kent says. And the Games are indeed for people from all walks of life. Boasting multicultural events, bands, choirs, ceremonies, ballroom dancing, parades, and performers, even those who aren’t sports fans can easily find several ways to remain engaged during the week-long Gay Games events. With Denver’s progressive infrastructure, community attitude, and world-class sports and cultural facilities, it’s easy to understand why Kent feels the Mile High City makes for a great host for the 2022 Gay Games. What’s more is that he’s backed by the governor and the mayor.

Kent currently spearheads the effort to bring the Gay Games to Denver, and Ellen Winiarczyk acts as both co-chair of the board of Denver 2022 and one of the initial supporters of Kent’s efforts. “Just because we have gay marriage doesn’t mean we’re no longer oppressed,” Ellen says. It’s this shared passion to illuminate and eradicate the oppression that drives the two as well as the rest of Team Colorado, a nonprofit organization and local affiliate group of the Federation of Gay Games. But their goal is undoubtedly a lofty one.

Since their inception, the Gay Games have been hosted in Amsterdam, Vancouver, Chicago, Cologne, and Sydney. Denver is currently contesting with 15 other cities to act as the host for the 2022 Games.

Kent and the rest of his squad have already been hard at work for almost a year, composing several hundred pages of a bid book containing venues, transportation, accommodations, medical services, lodging, and a host of extensive event details. In addition to the bid book, Team Colorado is also fundraising, generating awareness regarding homophobia and discrimination in sports, and building a scholarship fund for young athletes who wish to participate in the Games but lack the financial resources to do so. Once the bid book is submitted later this year, 2017 is when Denver will be evaluated as the next site of the Games. It’s not until 2018 that it’ll be known which of the 15 cities will emerge victorious for the passing of the torch at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris.

While Kent is most certainly an advocate of the Games, he feels there’s room for improvement. One area he believes the Games falls short is their attention to hosting the highest quality venues for sports with several women athletes, such as softball and track & field. Kent also hopes that more younger athletes will start participating in the Games, which are open to those 18 and up. Because Denver is easy to access for international travelers, he also desires to create a more global community in future games.

Kent’s martial arts background has had an indelible impact on his drive and determination. First practicing when he was 10, over the years his discipline has made him more patient, trusting, and open. The martial-arts professor has also learned the nuances of understanding and working with an opponent, lessons he’ll undoubtedly need in the months and years ahead.

But before the Gay Games are brought to Denver, and before any evolution can occur in them, Kent needs some audience participation. Team Colorado needs volunteers, committee members, organizers, and individuals who are willing to “staff up” their small non-profit organization. Just as the Games are all-inclusive, so too is Team Colorado. No matter your skill set, they’re more than willing to accept whatever assistance you can provide, and even local businesses and restaurants are encouraged to get involved. Those interested should also look for the Team Colorado booth during Pride.

There’s no denying that Denver is an athlete’s and sports fan’s Shangri-La, or that the city makes for a fantastic host location for any sporting event. In regard to the 2022 Gay Games, however, Kent, Ellen, and the rest of Team Colorado feel their success could put Denver on a world stage. But it doesn’t matter whether they win or lose; it’s all about how they play the game. That, and having one hell of an awesome party.