Our true colors.

Some Chicago-area residents were nervous about the prospect of 11,500 gay and lesbian athletes arriving in their city for Gay Games VII--witness the controversy over plans to host the rowing competition on a suburban lake--but most seemed to greet the queer Olympic-style event just fine. "As a community, we were an extremely positive influence during our visit," said Jennifer Cham, of Vancouver, Canada, competing in her first Games (in ice hockey). "People stopped us on the street, chatted about sports, and generally seemed pleased to be involved in hosting such a great event."

The Games, which concluded July 22 (one week before Montreal's rival Outgames began), attracted athletes of all skill levels from 70 countries. They competed in 30 sports, including flag football and figure skating. Plus there were parties galore, including the closing-ceremonies bash at Wrigley Field, highlighted by Cyndi Lauper's rendition of "True Colors."

"The most exciting thing about the Gay Games isn't just competing in a sport," said Brian Cordeiro, who scored five goals in one game for the Boston Lobsters ice-hockey squad. "It's the idea of being part of something special in the LGBT community and the chance to meet interesting people and make new friends with athletes from all over the world."