By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com June 3, 2011 In the past week I have visited the mansions of three early presidents of America: Jefferson’s ‘Monticello’ (photo right), Monroe’s ‘Ashlawn’ and Andrew Jackson’s ‘Hermitage’, in Virginia and Tennessee. Viewing these stately properties a modern visitor can glimpse a past way of life both elegant as well as
Owing to the United States’ federal system and the diversity in attitudes toward LGBT rights, the status of LGBT civil rights in the U.S. is at present a patchwork. At the federal level, there is no recognition of same-sex unions and no laws forbidding employment discrimination against LGBT persons. Some states have enacted such laws, however. State legislatures in Connecticut (2005), California (1999), Hawaii (1996), Maine (2004), New Jersey (2006), Washington (2007), New Hampshire (2007), Oregon (2007) Vermont (1999) and the District of Columbia (2001) have enacted either civil unions or more limited domestic partnership options for same-sex couples. Since 2004 marriage is open to gays in Massachusetts; Connecticut made it available in 2008. More states are debating it currently. For more, click here.
Name: United States
Population: 307000000
Capital: Washington, D.C. - Pop. 589000
Area: 9826930 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: English, Spanish
Religion: Various, mostly Christian
Status of Homosexuality: Legal
Telephone Country Code: 1
USA – Gay Games: Opening Ceremony
Chicago’s Soldier Field was the host venue for the opening ceremony of Gay Games VII in July 2006. About 11,000 athletes from nearly 50 countries entered the field to the cheers of about 40,000 people. At the end of the evening the Gay Games torch was lit.
USA – Gay Games: Swimming & Sports
About 800 swimmers from dozens of countries spent Gay Games VII week in competition at the University of Chicago Ratner aquatic complex. Many of the swimmers’s home cities were evident from the logos on their swim suits. GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon won several medals. (photos #47 and 48) Other nearby sports during the week were
USA – Gay Games: Chicago Tour
Random views of Chicago city and gay Boystown. Chicago was the host city for Gay Games VII . It is a city full of architectural wonder and scenic beauty along Lake Michigan. The gay district (Boystown) along Halsey Street was decked out in rainbow flags as thousands of visitors enjoyed the cafes and restuarants and shops. The Gay Games were also a financial success.
Gay Games 06 Chicago Closing Ceremony
Chicago’s Wrigley Field was the host venue for the closing ceremony of Gay Games VII in July 2006. Participant athletes entered the field to the cheers of about 25,000 people. Mayor Richard Daley helped transfer the Gay Games flag to the deputy mayor of Cologne, Germany for the next Games in 2010. The star singer
John Ammon Photo Gallery
Also see: John Ammon Remembered story These images have been collected from several sources including John’s own photo album, family archives in Switzerland and America and Richard Ammon’s photos taken in Switzerland in 1965. Most of the photos cover a range of years from about 1892 to 1927 as well as a few modern pictures. Nearly