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Chicago-- Chicago organizers of Gay Games® VII have launched a new website, GayGamesChicago.org, with online early registration for the 2006 Gay Games going "live" the first week of June.

The site features detailed information about each of the 30 sports being offered at Gay Games VII including venue specifications, biographical sketches of sports managers, participation schedule, and information about competition levels, age divisions and more. Band and choral events will be featured equally in detailed descriptions. The website will also include information about the City of Chicago, its history, people, neighborhoods, landmarks and cultural institutions. Full details about travel, lodging, and transportation will help Gay Games VII participants plan their 2006 visit to the Windy City.

The Gay Games were conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and were first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were 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). Gay Games VII will include 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, home of the National Football League's Chicago Bears, and Closing Ceremonies are scheduled for 22 July at Wrigley Field, home of baseball's Chicago Cubs.

The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of inclusion, participation and personal best.

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 or phone (773) 907-2006.