That wisdom from the 46-year-old food importer comes after more than 20 years of playing softball... Straights are glad to be p

That wisdom from the 46-year-old food importer comes after more than 20 years of playing softball in gay Chicago leagues. But with that exception, Runions said, competing in a gay sport is about the same as competing in any sport.

"For the most part, you can't tell who's what," said Runions, who is playing in his first Gay Games as pitcher for a softball team. "Most of these guys are competitive and want to do well. So do I."

Though athletes are not required to disclose their sexuality at the Gay Games, a majority do, and about 5 percent have identified themselves as straight, officials said. Non-gay competitors say they were motivated to join one of the world's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sporting events for the opportunity to compete in their favorite sport, be it ice hockey, ballroom dancing or figure skating.

Although the Gay Games were started in 1982 to empower gay athletes and provide a place where they could compete without fear or prejudice, excluding straight people would be hypocritical, said Derek Liecty, a longtime member of the Federation of Gay Games board.

Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley already plays ice hockey a couple times per week, so when he was asked to join a Gay Games team as a right wing, he didn't think twice. His team will be playing for a bronze medal Friday.

When the five Republican commissioners withdrew their names from a proclamation welcoming the Games to Chicago last year, Quigley, a Democrat, said he was even more pleased to have signed up.

Quigley, who in 2003 sponsored a domestic partnership registry allowing gay and lesbian couples to formally record their relationship, said the message is simple: He welcomes the Gay Games to Chicago and supports gay rights.

"When you are playing sports and you're counting on the person next to you, you're not thinking about someone's gender, age, race or orientation," Quigley said. "You don't have time to even think about [it]. That's one of the beauties of sports."

Kelsey McMurray of New York City, who performed in last weekend's cheerleading exhibition in Millennium Park, came to indulge her passion for cheerleading.

She called her experience in Chicago, particularly at opening ceremonies in Soldier Field, "amazing." She said she ran across the grass at midnight while carrying a tie-dyed flag.

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