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Gay media outlets pilloried the decision to bring the games to northeast Ohio, which was competing against the more gay-friendly cities of Boston and Washington. But those lobbying to bring the event to northeast Ohio pushed the idea that holding the events in the heart of the Rust Belt would provide an opportunity to chip away at barriers that persist.”The biggest reason for the region to host the Gay Games is the kind of legacy it can leave for northeast Ohio,” said David Gilbert of Positively Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.