Playing against each other.

I was glad to see you touch on the issues that have caused a division in the international GLBT athletic community and the creation of two different games--the Out-games in Montreal and the Gay Games in Chicago ["Different Games, Familiar Hurdles," March 14].

The issues that created this rift and the birth of the Outgames as an alternate to the Gay Games are complicated, not to mention politically and socially charged. I understand the reasons Montreal went forward with their own games, just as I understand the reasons the Federation continued with its Gay Games plans. Regardless of the reasons, most everyone I know is disappointed it has come to this.

You ask, "Are two games better than one?" and the answer is simple: no. These games are a celebration of our community, and as such we need to try harder to put differences aside and come together. Most athletes will choose to attend one and not both events. Most of my overseas friends are attending Montreal, while most of my friends in the States are going to Chicago. As an athlete I've been looking forward to the competition, but I would certainly prefer to compete against the best gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender athletes in the world and not just those of us who choose to attend the Gay Games.

While it is too late to fix things for this summer, it is my hope (and, I believe, the hope for most all of us) that we can come together in 2010 for one unified celebration and competition.

WILL ZOLNA Chicago, III.

When I read that organizers of both the Gay Games and Outgames were trying to avoid past disasters, what came to my mind was that the organizers were creating a bigger disaster by having two games. Why?

At this time when gay communities in every state are being torn apart by religious, political, and self-interest groups, gays must come together to show unity. A good way to do so is by having one common competition for all gay athletes.

Wake up, gay America! We must gather together and not divide ourselves to achieve the same goal. For those special interest groups Hill use our divide to feed their fire of discrimination and hatred against us.

MICHAEL D'AMBRA Seattle, Wash.