CLEVELAND, Ohio — Barack Obama made an video appearance at the international Gay Games on Saturday, the world’s largest homosexual sporting event, founded in 1982 in San Francisco.

“Welcome to the 2014 Gay Games,” he opened. “And to the thousands of athletes, coaches, family and spectators from around the world, welcome to Ohio and the United States of America.”

Obama appeared via video as he is currently vacationing at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

“Since 1982, the Gay Games have given lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes and supporters around the world a chance to come together to compete, celebrate and inspire others,” he said. “It’s been remarkable to see the games thrive over the years.”

In addition to welcoming those gathered, Obama also expressed his commitment to working for the homosexual cause and his “pride” in what he and his administration have accomplished thus far.

“We’ve also seen America change in that time,” he continued. “Even since 2006, when the games were last held in the United States in my hometown of Chicago, we’ve come a long way in our commitment to the equal rights of LGBT people here and around the world. I’m proud of my administration’s record and the people who have helped to push for justice.”

“I know some of you have come from places where it requires courage and defiance to come out, sometimes at great personal risk,” Obama said. “You should know that the United States stands with you and for your human rights, just as the athletes stand with you on the field at these games. After all, the very idea of America is that no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from or who you love you can make it if you try.”

“That’s who we are, [and] that’s who we should continually strive to be,” he asserted. “Good luck to the athletes. Have a great time in Cleveland and Akron, and go team USA.”

Greg Louganis, Lance Bass, the Pointer Sisters, and Broadway’s Andrea McArdle and Alex Newell were also featured at the event, which is stated to be hosting approximately 8,000 homosexual athletes from around the world—a number that is said to be lower than in previous years. The “Gay Games” continue through August 16th at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, and feature a variety of sporting competitions, from track and field to basketball and rodeo. Ballroom dancing is also stated to be a part of the event.

Organizers of the games state that the goal of the games in Ohio is to change society’s perception of the homosexual lifestyle and to bring greater homosexual tourism to the area.

“The games are about diversity, about changing hearts and minds,” organizer Tom Nobbe told the Associated Press.

“The biggest reason for the region to host the Gay Games is the kind of legacy it can leave for northeast Ohio,” added David Gilbert of Positively Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “The eyes of the LGBT world and LGBT media will be on Cleveland and will give our community a chance to shine.”

As previously reported, many expressed disgust last month when Obama fist bumped a Texas crossdresser after he joked with the president that he has sex with men.

“Are you gay?” Obama asked Daniel Rugg Webb, who had declared, “Equal rights for gay people!” when meeting the nation’s leader at the Franklin Barbeque where he worked.

“Only when I have sex,” Webb replied.

The Austin Chronicle reports that Obama then began laughing and offered his fist, saying, “Bump me.”

“Obama couldn’t care less what God and the Bible say about sodomy,” Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality lamented. “But no matter how cool the Left and ‘gay’ activists try to make homosexual behavior, it will always be detestable in the eyes of our Creator. Thank God it’s also changeable as proven by the many men and women who have left homosexuality behind.”

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