WASHINGTON — Nonprofit Team DC has submitted a bid for the District to host Gay Games XI in 2022, an event that would give the city a significant economic boost.
The Gay Games, held every four years, draws as many as 15,000 athletes who compete in 35 different sports and eight different cultural events. The weeklong games also include huge opening and closing ceremonies, and a human rights conference.
According to Team DC, Gay Games draws as many as 100,000 spectators with a potential economic impact of $100 million.
“Few events have the prestige or international focus of the Gay Games and GGDC2022 is proud to submit this bid on behalf of the 34 LGBT sports teams of the Washington, D.C. region and, indeed our whole community,” said Brent Minor, chairman of the Bid Committee.
“We know that Washington has the experience, passion and international appeal that make us an excellent choice.”
Team DC’s bid has the formal support of the District Council, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Honorary chairs include Billie Jean King, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
The Federation of Gay Games will announce three finalists from the list of bidding cities March 1, 2017.
Other cities bidding so far include Austin, Texas; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Dallas; Salt Lake City; Denver; Hong Kong; and Guadalajara, Mexico.
The next Gay Games will be held in Paris in 2018.
