Queer n There	Queer n There Archive

View our poll archive

Amsterdam-- What could be a gayer event at the Gay Games, set to open August 1, than the dance competitions? Imagine the surprise, then, when registrants received an acid letter, postmarked Amsterdam, from the "'Equality dancE' Working Group." "Transvestism," the letter declared archly, "is not appreciated at the competitions." More than just unappreciated, the Gay Games rules assert that "The Competition Management has the right to instruct any couple to change their clothes directly, and to disqualify any couple if not acting upon this order." All this did not sit well with Madame Dish, the soi-disant "well-known Hollywood celebrity, writer, and actor-actress," who is scheduled to take part in the Games' ballroom and Latin American dance contests. "The very idea that their governing body would choose to ostracize any part of the total community is abominable, especially in Amsterdam," Madame Dish opined in a press release. "I cannot believe that they have the nerve to call the event 'Equality dancE,'" a sentiment orthorgraphic purists would hasten to endorse. Madame Dish fired off an angry letter and an e-mail, and even the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has weighed in, asking the Gay Games for "clarification" on their use of the word "transvestism."

"I do not think that they thought anyone would do anything about this," Madame Dish declares. "I am not looking to cause trouble, however I cannot allow them to disqualify a woman for wearing a tuxedo or a man for wearing a ball gown. Where will this travesty end?" Hopefully with the Gay Games returning to the custom at the original Olympics: all competition in the nude.