LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland announced an official reunion of 2014 Gay Games participants as the closing event of Pride.

Reprinted from Cleveland Patch
May 11, 2018 10:59 am ET

The Cleveland Foundation and the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland (The Center) today announced an official reunion of 2014 Gay Games participants as the closing event of Pride in the CLE 2018. “Gay Games 9 Reunion Beach Brunch” is scheduled for Sunday, June 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Edgewater Beach.

The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation (Gay Games 9) took place from August 9-16, 2014, in venues throughout Cleveland and Akron. More than 35 sports and cultural events were held, with more than 20,000 people from 50 countries participating and visiting. The event generated more than $52 million for the Northeast Ohio economy.

“Before the world prepares to head to Paris, France in August to be part of Gay Games 10, we are thrilled to partner with The Center to celebrate the legacy and impact of Gay Games 9 in our community,” said Michael D. Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer, Cleveland Foundation. “Pride in the CLE is an amazing opportunity to reunite thousands of Gay Games 9 athletes, volunteers and supporters from around our region while supporting The Center as it continues its critical mission of empowering the LGBTQ+ community.”

Gay Games 9 Reunion Beach Brunch will take place on Sunday, June 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kite Field at Edgewater Beach (6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway), overlooking the shores of Lake Erie. Food, drinks, entertainment and a resource fair of Gay Games 9 community partners will be available during the event. Bronze, silver and gold medal ticket packages are available at http://bit.ly/GG9BeachBrunch with proceeds from the event to benefit The Center’s Facility Endowment Fund at the Cleveland Foundation, which will support the maintenance, upkeep and renovation of The Center's new facility. Tickets are required to attend the event.

“We are honored to partner with the Cleveland Foundation to present the Gay Games 9 Reunion Beach Brunch. This event reminds us of the spirit of collaboration and partnership that made GG9 a success in Northeast Ohio,” said Phyllis Harris, Executive Director, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. “The team of individuals working to present Pride in the CLE have continued the legacy of inclusion and cooperation to create experiences that we can all be proud of.”

Each June, communities all over the world celebrate Pride to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969 that sparked the LGBTQ+ rights movement in America. Cleveland's traditions were among the very first of such celebrations started in the country. In March 2018, The Center and Cleveland Pride Inc. reached an agreement to consolidate Cleveland's two annual Pride events into a single annual event under the Pride in the CLE brand, which will include a series of fun, inclusive events throughout the community from Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3. The Pride in the CLE march and festival will be held on Saturday, June 2 at Cleveland's Public Square. For more information on Pride in the CLE, visit www.prideinthecle.com.