Richard AmmonCologne is one of Europe’s gay capitals and was host to the 2010 Gay Games . For a busy and energiized week, July 31 to August 7, the city bubbled with 35 sports events, cultural events and colorful parties, as well as two enertainment/social/eating ‘villages’ in the central area. In addition to the many usual cafes, bars, clubs, suanas, health and rights organizations, the Games brought to town over 9000 athletes and artists accompanied by more than 25,000 observers and supporters. The images in this gallery are a small sampling of gay Cologne alive and well. Here as in all Germany LGBT citizens enjoy some of the best privileges and rights in Europe. Cologne is a living example of how gay life and love can thrive and posper in this new age of humanitarian efforts to defeat homophobia. The city mounts yearly popular festivals including the huge Gay Pride festival and parade every July.
