The Gay Games are more than an opportunity to compete in sporting events for Sandy Sorensen and the Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer.
The two national staff members of the Cleveland-based United Church of Christ said it is also a chance to illustrate that being gay and being Christian are not incompatible — and a testimony to the United Church of Christ’s commitment to human rights.
“Participating in the Gay Games is an opportunity to celebrate sports, equality and inclusion,” said Sorensen, director of the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries office in Washington. “Knowing my denomination is doing its part to make the games a reality makes it more meaningful.”
The UCC is the first religious denomination to be a major sponsor of the Gay Games, which conclude Saturday in Cleveland and Akron. The denomination, known for its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, donated $50,000 to the international games in partnership with 31 of its open and affirming congregations throughout the country.
The Gay Games, which take place every four years, were created in 1982 to promote LGBT inclusion and excellence in sports. The Games include 35 competitive sports, a festival village, social events, interfaith worship and opening and closing ceremonies.
The international games, in their ninth running, are open to anyone 18 years or older, regardless of their athletic ability, sexual orientation, age, gender or race.
“The nature of the games focuses on inclusion, so it’s a natural fit for the UCC. You don’t have to be a member of the LGBT community to participate, and participation isn’t dependent on your ability to be a high level athlete,” said Schuenemeyer, the UCC’s executive for health and wholeness advocacy. “The games are a real opportunity for the region to learn about the diversity that exists in the LGBT community.”
Schuenemeyer, 56, won gold in his age division in the men's 200 meter medley; silver in the men's 800-meter swimming relay and bronze in the 400 mixed medley in swim competition at Cleveland State University and competed this week in golfing at Firestone Country Club in Akron. He also helped organize Monday’s interfaith service at Trinity Cathedral, the Cleveland headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.
“The assumption has been that people of faith generally have a negative perspective about people in the LGBT community, but we are seeing some changes in people who recognize that every person has human dignity that human judgment cannot set aside,” Schuenemeyer said. “I am thankful that the UCC has been one of the denominations that believes everyone should be included, regardless of things like sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Schuenemeyer and Sorensen, who was to have competed in Monday's rained-out 10K race, agree that as members of the LGBT community, they are proud to be part of a denomination that stands in solidarity with them.
“I grew up in the UCC and I’m extremely proud of its prophetic witness for human rights. It is so important to have the voices of people of faith chiming in to say that everyone is deserving of respect,” said Sorensen, 51. “It’s an honor and a blessing for me to be among the crowd of witnesses in that voice for justice.”
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.