Gay Games IV Host City Announcement
Credit: Forward Focus Productions Ltd.
Source: Mary Anne McEwen fonds. Crista Dahl Media Library and Archive, VIVO Media Arts Centre, Vancouver, Canada.
Rick Peterson and Peg Gray of the Federation of Gay Games come to the podium to announce which city will host Gay Games IV. Gray holds the folded flag while Peterson makes the announcement.
Peterson: Tonight we are proud to announce that once again a great city has accepted the challenge and opportunity of hosting one of the greatest amateur athletic and cultural events in the world. Just as Vancouver nurtured and kept alive the hopes and dreams of the Gay Games these past four years bringing them to magnificent life here at Celebration ’90, so too will the next host city of Unity in ’94 Gay Games IV and Cultural Festival in 1994.
Peterson pauses and the impatient crowd reacts with groans, cheers, and comments directed to the stage.
Peterson: We therefore on behalf of the Federation of Gay Games present this flag to the next Gay Games host city and invite all the world to meet again…(the crowd urges him on) for Gay Games IV in 1994….
Peterson moves aside and Peg Gray leans in to the mic: …in New York City!
The song “New York, New York” starts to play. The New York representatives emerge from backstage through the curtain. A spotlight follows them to centre stage where Gray passes them the flag as the crowd cheers and applauds. The video cuts to a graphic of the announcement on the big screen and then a lazer of “1994” on the stage backdrop. Members of the New York team unfurl the flag
Robin Tyler can be heard off camera, speaking loudly to be heard above the crowd: Let’s hear it for New York! (Yahs! and applause rise from the crowd) And representing New York City from Brooklyn, New York, Karen Meiderbaum!
Karen Meiderbaum takes to the podium and addresses the stadium crowd: On behalf of the people of New York City, we are thrilled to be chosen as hosts for Gay Games IV. It’ll be hard to surpass the experience you’ve had this week, but we are dedicated to making Gay Games IV the most exciting time of your life. (see raises a fist in the air for emphasis) See you in New York, 1994!
“New York, New York” plays as the group poses with the flag as Meiderbaum crosses in front, waving to the crowd.
Robin Tyler is heard off camera: New York!