reader Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 From Miami Herald The long-planned sporting and cultural event known as the World OutGames, a 10-day LGBTQ-themed meeting advertised as a spectacular gathering of athletes from around the world, unraveled Friday about 24 hours before the opening ceremonies. Most of the sports events, along with opening and closing ceremonies, were canceled at the very last minute amid a flurry of financial woes and possible impropriety. By Friday night, Miami Beach Police and the State Attorney’s Office announced they were opening a fraud investigation “due to the potential misappropriation of funds.” Financial documents submitted by OutGames to Miami Beach City Hall in March show discrepancies that caused alarm in the Beach’s administration. The documents show the OutGames maintained a low cash balance despite a slew of fundraising commitments. The numbers still don’t add up, which led to the investigation. Earlier Friday, organizers cited financial when they announced the cancellation in a short message to participants from the event’s board of directors Friday. “It is with deep regret that due to financial burdens, World OutGames must cancel its sports programming and Opening and Closing Ceremony with the exception of soccer, aquatics and country western dance,” reads the statement. “The Human Rights Conference and cultural programs will continue as planned. We thank everyone who has supported the effort and apologize to those who will be impacted by this difficult decision.” Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article152835799.html#storylink=cpy http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article152835799.html Quote
paulsf Posted May 27, 2017 Posted May 27, 2017 They didn't cancel till many participants started arriving in Miami and showed up at what was supposed to be registration headquarters. Nobody there, doors locked. Somebody finally called police and they finally found somebody who said, "Oh yes, we have cancelled, we have no money". Not a pretty sight. ChristianPFC 1 Quote
NIrishGuy Posted May 28, 2017 Posted May 28, 2017 That's very sad for the competitors who made the effort and ran up the expense to attend and also makes gay's in general look bad. I was then wonder "oh dear, whatever will those 2000+ attendees do to pass their time" and then I read a Facebook post by one of the groups arranging alternative activities for them which read "The Hotel Gaythering in South Beach says that OutGames participants will get complimentary drinks, sauna access and shuttles to Haulover Nude Beach every day" So, that's that all sorted then I guess for the 2 weeks !! Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article152835799.html#storylink=cpy Quote
Alexx Posted May 28, 2017 Posted May 28, 2017 Right, I guess you could do a lot worse than being stuck in South Beach with thousands of fellow gay athletes... Quote
paulsf Posted May 28, 2017 Posted May 28, 2017 I have no idea why they scheduled this weekend. Memorial Day Weekend is also Urban Weekend in Miami Beach. Barely a hotel to be found and many street closures do to overcrowding for the weekend. Great for laying on the beach, but not for getting from point A to point B Quote
