PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Todd Saporito, Board President/CEO & Matthew Hout, Board President/CEO-Elect
Cleveland Pride, Inc.
11100 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44102
Phone: 216.226.0004
Email: executiveboard@clevelandpride.org
Website: http://www.clevelandpride.org
http://www.facebook.com/clevelandpride
Cleveland to host the 2014 Gay Games
Cleveland, OH – September 29, 2009
Cleveland LGBT Pride, Inc. would like to congratulate Cleveland Synergy Foundation and the city of Cleveland for all their hard work in bringing the 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland, Ohio.
“Having the Gay Games in Cleveland will help unite the LGBT community and the city of Cleveland. Cleveland will benefit from hosting the 2014 Gay Games.” says President-Elect Matthew Hout, “by openings their doors to the world’s LGBT community and its straight allies. The local economy will strengthen and inspire Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio to focus on redeveloping the city’s skyline, and think twice before making judgment on the LGBT community.”
Cleveland Pride’s Board of Directors, led by Todd J. Saporito – Board President and CEO, submitted a letter of recommendation in February of 2009 supporting the Cleveland Synergy Foundation’s efforts to secure the Gay Games in 2014.
Mr. Saporito indicated that, “Cleveland Synergy Foundation’s energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to bring the 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland, Ohio aligns with Cleveland Pride, Inc.’s mission statement to support organizations that ‘educate institutions, industries and the general public; sponsor educational forums, awareness discussions, informational displays, supportive gatherings, other related organized events, and an annual rally, parade and festival’.”
The letter continued by stating “Cleveland Synergy Foundation’s bid offers the ability for the residents of greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio community to interact with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex, and straight ally athletes. Furthermore, this interaction will lead to building a better understanding of our community, break down social barriers, create friendships, and provide a positive image of Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.”
Cleveland Pride’s Board of Directors, Significant Volunteers and members are excited to assist the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, Positively Cleveland, and other agencies on preparing for the 2014 Gay Games.
About Cleveland Pride
Founded in 1989, Cleveland Pride has been an integral part of the Northeastern Ohio region for the past 21 years. Cleveland’s Pride celebration is among the first half-dozen such events launched in the U.S., making our Parade and Festival among the longest continuing Pride events in the country.
On an ongoing basis, Cleveland Pride brings awareness, education and knowledge of the queer community to the general public to discourage/eliminate prejudice and discrimination on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Cleveland Pride openly recognizes and embraces all individuals of the queer community who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, intersex and straight allies, while understanding that each group identified exists in all ages, races, national origins and physical abilities.
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Cleveland Pride 2012.
June 23, 2012.
12:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Voinovich Park.
Cleveland, Ohio.


