Ga Ga for Gay Games!!

In July, Cheer NY traveled to Chicago along with over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries to participate in Gay Games VII. This was the first year cheerleading teams not only participated in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, but also had an official Cheerleading Exhibition.

The experience was more meaningful than any of us ever imagined. I have countless unforgettable memories of Gay Games;
like meeting the other Pride Cheerleading Association (PCA) teams for the first time; running around Soldiers Field practicing
for the Opening Ceremonies until 1 a.m.; seeing thousands of NEWS people holding colored lights forming a rainbow flag the size of a football field; and even just going out to the bar with my fellow teammates to bond and collect blackmail pictures!

Though all of those memories will stick with me for a long time, there was one moment during the Gay Games that ranks as
one of the most incredible moments of my life: As the Opening Ceremonies came to an end and fireworks exploded overhead, I pushed my way through the cheering crowd in search of a familiar face. That face belonged to my friend and teammate John, who I immediately wrapped my arms around. We stood in the middle of a dark football field below thousands of spectators and explosions of light crying on each otherÂ’s shoulders because of the utterly remarkable moment. Now that I look back, it feels like that moment was a glimpse of what Cheer New York will become come this year—utterly remarkable.