New Zealand athlete Blake Skjellerup has lit the opening flame at the Gay Games in Cleveland. He says he was “proud and honoured” to do so and added “well done for putting on a great show Cleveland.” The speed skater is a Gay Games Ambassador and will compete in the road cycling. Greg Louganis, the Pointer Sisters and Lance Bass also took part in the Opening Ceremony, while President Barack Obama sent a special video message. “We’ve come a long way in the equal rights of LGBT people here and around the world,” he states. “I know some of you have come from places where it requires courage, even defiance, to come out, sometimes at great personal risk. You should know the United States stands with you and for your human rights.” See the full video below. GLAAD says one of the best moments of the ceremony was when 30 members of the Russian LGBT Sports Federation entered the arena. “They stopped in the middle of the floor, while the crowd stood and cheered.” The Gay Games began in 1982 and welcome everyone over 18. Gay Games Cleveland is being held in venues in Cleveland and Akron, with 25,000 people from more than 50 countries expected to take part. Boy George is headlining a White Party on Monday night Cleveland time.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 11th August 2014 - 8:45am