Release: Gay Games Will Have International Sign Language Interpretation

From: Gay Games® - Dec 29, 2004

News Release – 29 December 2004
Contact: Kevin G. Boyer (773) 907-2006, kgboyer@ix.netcom.com

Gay Games® Chicago Signs Sponsorship Deal For Sign Language Interpretation

Gay and Deaf-Owned Firm to Coordinate International Sign Interpretation in 2006

Chicago, IL – Chicago-based Deaf Communication by Innovation (DCI), a gay-owned and deaf-owned company, will coordinate International Sign interpreters for the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. In a sponsorship agreement valued at almost US$90,000, DCI will oversee daytime and evening sign language interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, artists and fans attending the Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival. The arrangement includes interpreter training in international sign language skills to ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing people from all countries will be able to participate fully at the Gay Games.

DCI representatives will also attend the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD), an international deaf LGBT conference, and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), a national conference for sign language interpreters, on behalf of Gay Games Chicago. DCI will sponsor various social events for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community during the Gay Games.

Raymond Rodgers, the President and majority owner of DCI, served as a volunteer international sign interpreter at Gay Games V in Amsterdam, where he gained extensive experience in all aspects of interpreting in an international environment. Rodgers has been an active member of the Gay Games VII Marketing Committee since Chicago was awarded the Gay Games and has helped to ensure that the large LGBT deaf/hard-of-hearing community in Chicago is well-represented at all stages of planning for Gay Games VII. For more information about DCI, visit http://www.deafcomm.net.

"Deaf Communication by Innovation is extremely proud to be the exclusive sign interpreting services provider for Gay Games VII," said Raymond Rodgers. "We will do our best to do great work for a great cause."

"We are extremely grateful to Raymond Rodgers and the staff at DCI for this generous contribution," said Tracy Baim, Chicago Games, Inc. (CGI) Fundraising Committee Co-Chair. "Inclusion is one of the key values of the Gay Games. This arrangement should send a clear message to the worldwide deaf and hard of hearing community that they will be welcome with open arms at the 2006 Gay Games." Baim worked with CGI board members Roberto Tijerina and Amelia Lopez to secure the sponsorship.

About Deaf Communication by Innovation (DCI) DCI is a deaf-owned and operated business created to improve communication between deaf* and hearing people through advanced technology. Although technology often provides the most expeditious means of communication, DCI also works hard to maintain a personal relationship with customers, interpreters and the deaf individuals they serve. Their Interpreting Service matches qualified interpreters with assignments via the Internet, http://www.deafcomm.net. Because it is web based, the service allows 24/7 access to both customers and interpreters, and permits fast, accurate and convenient scheduling and reporting. DCI's Multimedia Service can assist with presentations, film production, consulting, marketing strategies and web design, all geared toward the Deaf community.

*refers to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Impaired, Late Deafened and People with Hearing Loss

About Gay Games VII Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place 15-22 July 2006. Over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. The weeklong event will include band, cheerleading and color guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of community-organized social events and parties. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of American-style football's Chicago Bears. Closing ceremony will be 22 July at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, located in the heart of Chicago's largest LGBT neighborhood. Athletes and artists can register now for Gay Games VII and receive early registration discounts at GayGamesChicago.org. Early sponsors of Gay Games VII include PlanetOut/Gay.com, Genre Magazine, Girlfriends Magazine, and Windy City Media Group plus more than 30 business sponsors.

Registration for Gay Games VII is now open at http://www.gaygameschicago.org.

About The Gay Games The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), and Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants).

The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Bestâ„¢. For more information, visit GayGames.org.

Chicago Games, Inc. is the host of Gay Games VII and is led by experienced civic leaders from Chicago's business, sports and non-profit sectors. For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VII in Chicago, visit www.GayGamesChicago.org, e-mail info@GayGamesChicago.org, or phone (773) 907-2006.

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Gay Games® is a registered trademark of the Federation of Gay Games. Chicago Games, Inc - 5443 N. Broadway, Suite 101, Chicago, IL 60640 773.907.2006 – GayGamesChicago.org– info@GayGamesChicago.org

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DEADLINE - 31 December 2004
Early Registration for Gay Games VII Ends on Friday, 31 December 2004.
Save US$50 by registering early.

http://www.GayGamesChicago.org/registration

Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival 15-22 July 2006 - Chicago USA