Out games debt grows

Out games debt grows
By Gary Barlow
Copyright by THe Chicago Free Press
November 22, 2006

The Outgames, the international gay and lesbian sports festival that drew more than 12,000 people to Montreal in July and August, is about $3.5 million in debt, Quebec government officials said last week.

The debt remains even after the provincial government forgave a $1.4-million loan, the officials said.

The Outgames event was organized after the Federation of Gay Games withdrew the Gay Games from Montreal 2006 following two years of planning and millions of dollars in fundraising. The controversy split the international GLBT sports community in half, with many European and Canadian sports groups aligning with Montreal.

Most U.S. groups, as well as other groups from around the world, remained aligned with the FGG and participated in the 2006 Gay Games, which was awarded to Chicago after the FGG cut ties with Montreal. The 2006 Gay Games drew some 10,000 participants to Chicago last July, with about three-quarters coming from the U.S.

Chicago Games, Inc., which organized the 2006 Gay Games, also ended up in debt, but promises to balance its books before completing its financial report next spring. CGI officials recently acknowledged being $200,000 in debt but said they are making progress in raising the funds to cover that deficit. Other estimates of the debt vary.

Montreal 2006 officials refused to apologize for the group’s deficit last week, saying the Outgames brought unprecedented economic and cultural benefits to Montreal. They also said they expect to pay suppliers. To make up part of the deficit, the city of Montreal and government tourism agencies in Canada could end up forgiving another $1.5 million in credit advanced to Montreal 2006.