On March 29, the Chicago City Council unanimously passed a resolution welcoming Gay Games VII to the city.
Mayor Richard Daley issued the following statement: ‘We are proud that Chicago was chosen as the host city for the 2006 Gay Games. Chicago celebrates diversity, and the Gay Games foster that celebration. On behalf of the city, I welcome the organizers, sponsors, participants, volunteers and spectators for the Gay Games, who will come from around the world. We encourage you to explore Chicago’s rich cultural communities while you are here, and we invite you to visit us again in the near future.’
The measure was introduced by the following alderpersons: Billy Ocasio, 26th Ward; Thomas Tunney, 44th Ward; Mary Ann Smith, 48th Ward; Helen Shiller, 46th Ward; Burton F. Natarus, 42nd Ward; Vi Daley, 43rd Ward; Leslie Hairston, 5th Ward.