Featured events


7-9 September 2012
Brussels Games
Brussels

Brussels Gay Sports will offer a weekend of fun and fairplay in the capital of Europe, with volleyball, swimming, badminton, and tennis, as well as fitness and hiking.

Learn more HERE.
26-28 October 2012
QueergamesBern
Bern, Switzerland

The success of the first edition of the QueergamesBern proved the need for an LGBT multisport event in Switzerland. This year will be even bigger, with badminton, bowling, running, walking, floorball.

Learn more HERE.
17-20 January 2013
Sin City Shootout
Las Vegas
The 7th Sin City Shootout will feature softball, ice hockey, tennis, wrestling, basketball, dodgeball, bodybuilding and basketball.

Learn more HERE.

13-16 June 2013
IGLFA Euro Cup
Dublin
After this year's edition in Budapest at the EuroGames, the IGLFA Euro Cup heads to Dublin for 2013, hosted by the Dublin Devils and the Dublin Phoenix Tigers.

Learn more HERE.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Gays Games supporter Joe La Pat dies

With great sadness, the Federation of Gay Games announces the loss of Joe La Pat, a long-time supporter of the Gay Games who died suddenly and unexpectedly in his home Sunday, June 29. An Army veteran and a long-time supporter of Chicago charities, La Pat and his partner of 39 years, Dick Uyvari, were frequent backers of numerous gay organizations, including the Center on Halsted and Gay Games VII in Chicago.

When Chicago decided to re-bid for the Gay Games, Dick and Joe were among the earliest supporters, loaning seed money - in a gigantic leap of faith - so that the initial expenses could be covered. Their support could have ended there, but did not.

When Dick and Joe heard about the Chosen Few South African women's soccer team in late 2005, they offered to help underwrite scholarships for the team to attend Gay Games VII. Chosen Few's members live in Soweto, with few resources to attend an international tournament. As time moved on, it was clear that the entire GGVII scholarship program needed additional support, not just for Chosen Few, but also for the Bura team from Croatia and individual athletes from South America, Asia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Europe, the United Kingdom, and even from parts of the United States. So Dick and Joe stepped up more than the Gay Games organizers could have hoped for to underwrite the remaining scholarships. In total, Dick and Joe provided 75% of the funding for the Gay Games scholarships.

In 1964, La Pat enlisted in the Army and served with distinction, including a tour in Germany, where he was a member of the military police.

On May 25, 1969, La Pat and Uyvari met at the Castaways bar in Milwaukee, and it was love at first sight. They were together for 39 years, until La Pat's death. They liked to comment that they met exactly five weeks before the Stonewall Riots in New York that sparked the modern gay-rights movement.

As a couple, La Pat and Uyvari were key supporters of the Center on Halsted building campaign. They also were part of the Strike Against AIDS bowling benefits, and made available a property that became the first location used by Chicago House, a residence for people with AIDS. In 2006, they were critical financial supporters of Gay Games VII, underwriting the scholarship program that helped to bring athletes from around the world. They also helped retire the Gay Games debt by creating a matching fund.

“Without the support of Dick and Joe, the Gay Games could not have brought in athletes from South Africa, Croatia and beyond,” said Tracy Baim, co vice-chair of the Chicago Gay Games board, and a friend of the couple. “Joe was always the quiet one, but when he heard the story of the South African soccer team, he became a passionate advocate to bring them to the U.S. He believed strongly in the mission of the Gay Games, and he and Dick were our biggest allies.”

“He always was a pillar of support in the background that allowed me to be the front guy,” Uyvari said. “Without him I could not have done any of the things I did.”

His generosity for family, friends and community, was limitless, even when it meant personal sacrifice for him. He was a gracious host, “an All-American man who also loved taking care of the home,” Uyvari said. “He loved gardening, cooking, anything around the house.”

A public memorial will be held on Saturday, July 26, from noon to 3 p.m. at Misericordia Home, 6300 N. Ridge Ave. in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the South African soccer team and Scholarship Program at: http://teamchicago.org/federation.html. Donations can also be made to the Center on Halsted at: http://www.centeronhalsted.org/.

For a 2007 video interview with La Pat, see http://www.chicagogayhistory.org/.

Source: adapted from Windy City Times text and Gay Games VII Book by Tracy Baim.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Gay Games adds Sport Shooting for European shooting fans

News Release – 25 June 2008
Contact: Kevin G. Boyer, (312) 588-3713, Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net

Sport Shooting Added to Sports Program at Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010
Popular Olympic and German sport becomes 34th and final sport offered at Gay Games VIII

Cologne, Germany – Gay Games VIII organizers in Cologne , Germany , announced today that Sport Shooting has been added to the official Sports Program for Gay Games VIII Sports & Cultural Festival. Extremely popular in the host country of Germany , this will mark the first time that any shooting sport has been offered in the history of the Gay Games.

Air Rifle (10 meter) and Air Pistol (10 meter), both sport shooting disciplines offered in the Olympic Games, will be fired at the Cologne Gay Games in 2010. Air Rifle and Air Pistol disciplines will be offered for both men and women. Consistent with international rules, women will fire 40 rating shots in a period of 75 minutes while men will fire 60 shots within 105 minutes. Shots are fired standing free-hand, with the athletes standing without leaning and artificial support. Official rules and schedule will be posted at www.Games-Cologne.com prior to September 2008.

"We received many requests to add Sport Shooting," said Games Cologne Sports Director Karl-Heinz Schmitz. “We were surprised at how many lesbian and gay athletes, especially in Germany , wanted us to include the sport at Gay Games VIII. Assured of demand, we have added the sport.” The German Shooters Federation (Deutscher Schützenbund/DSB) is the fourth largest German sports association with 1.6 million members and almost 15,000 local shooting clubs. Sport Shooting is extremely popular in other parts of Europe .

Sports Shooting completes the sports program for Gay Games VIII, now to include 34 sports: Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Billiards, Bodybuilding, Bowling, Chess, Cycling, Dance Sport, Diving, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Golf, Handball, Ice Hockey, Inline Speed Skating, Martial Arts, Powerlifting, Road Races including Marathon, Sailing, Soccer (Football), Softball, Sport Climbing, Sport Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track and Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling.

About Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010
Between July 31 and August 7, 2010 the Gay Games VIII Sports & Cultural Festival will take place in Cologne , Germany . As many as 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries will take part in this quadrennial sport and cultural event. More than 46,000 guests are expected for the Opening Ceremony at the RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne , home of the famous Cologne Soccer Club. Forty-percent (40%) of the 34 sports disciplines will take place at Cologne ’s 135-acre renowned Müngersdorfer Sportpark with all other sports (except sailing) occurring within 20 minutes of the centre of Cologne . A 2,000-year old city with its roots in the Roman era, Cologne is now one of Europe ’s most dynamic cities and is recognized for its sports and culture as well as its tolerance. Pre-registration for Gay Games VIII is now open at www.games-cologne.com (English) and www.games-cologne.de (German). Full registration will launch in July of 2008.

The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants) and Chicago (2006; 11,500 participants). The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™. For more information, visit www.GayGames.org.

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Kevin BoyerDirector of Public Relations and MarketingAll Terrain

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Homosexuality is 'sport's last taboo'

CNN online news report on homophobia. It is an interview with Graeme Le Saux by CNN's Don Riddell.

Click HERE for the story.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

LGBT Volleyball Tournament in Chile - 10-16 November 2008


The international Federation of Gay Games wishes to make sure that you are aware of the planned International GLBT Volleyball Tournament, to be held in Santiago Chile from 10 to 16 November in 2008. Our member organization – Movimiento Deportivo De Integracion GLTB En Chile (MOVDEINCHILE) – is the sponsor of this tournament, which promises to be an exciting event. Details about the event will appear on its website and the website of Asociación de Voleibol GLTB - Chile.

La Federación internacional de Gay Games desea asegurarse de que usted sabe previsto de la Internacional GLBT Torneo de Voleibol, que se celebrará en Santiago de Chile en noviembre de 2008. Nuestra organización miembro - Deportivo Movimiento de Integración GLTB en Chile (MOVDEINCHILE) - es el patrocinador de este torneo, que promete ser un emocionante evento. Los detalles sobre el evento se publicará en su página web y la pagina de la Asociación de Voleibol GLTB - Chile.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Memorial Service June 21 for Kathleen Rose Winter


Kathleen Rose Winter

Her last sporting event was for the Gay Games, where she won a much- cherished gold medal.

Kathleen Rose Winter, 51, passed away on May 4, 2008. A lifelong Chicagoan, Winter was active in several fields of pursuit including advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, athletics, writing, performing, and public speaking. Winter lived with the disability, ontogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease; however, her fierce spirit never was daunted by the condition. In 1997, Winter prevailed in a $50,000 judgment with the City's Commission on Human Relations when she sued the Chicago Park District for wheelchair inaccessible restroom stalls at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Winter received a master’s degree in psychology from Roosevelt University. Winter graduated from Spalding High School, and earned a bachelor's degree
from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Winter's professional career included employment at Access Living, a Center for Independent Living for People with Disabilities, and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. She was also a substitute teacher, and had
once even been a cab driver.

Winter was nationally ranked and a Paralympics competitor in several sports over the years including track and field (javelin, shot put, and discus), fencing (épée and foil), and power lifting. Winter's last public athletic appearance was at Gay Games, VII in 2006 in Chicago, where she received a gold medal for 30kg power lifting. Winter also competed on a national level in wheelchair fencing being ranked 4th in épée and 5th in foil at the 1996 National Championships. Winter also participated in the 1999 National Sports Festival for the Disabled. She participated in the 1998 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2nd world power lifting championship. In 1992, at the Barcelona Paralympics she competed in track and field. Winter was a member of the 1996 U.S. Paralympics Team and competed in the Atlanta games. Her final Paralympics appearance was the Sydney 2000 games in power lifting.

Winter served on the board of the Disability Arts and Culture Center. She appeared in the locally produced musical the Plucky and Spunky show, written by Chicago writers Susan Nussbaum and Mike Erving, which spoofed mainstream views of people with disabilities. She was also a steering committee member of Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays. Her writings were among those performed by the Black LBGT Theatre troupe, A Real Read. Winter was a frequent contributor to BLACKlines, Outlines, and the Windy City Times. In the Windy City Times she authored a column, Tales from the Crypt, where she explored her bi-racial African American and Armenian identity, along with other intersections identity including disability and sexual orientation. In her last years she aspired to be a stand-up comic and frequented the local amateur comic circuit.

Winter was born on Sept. 10, 1956 to Clifford Obanion and Caroline Winter who both predeceased her. She is survived by her spouse, Elandria Henderson, and her brothers Delano Obanion (Chicago), and Michael Winter (Washington, D.C.), and by her uncle and his spouse George and Margaret Terzian. She is also survived by her god children Ricky, and Luis Balfred, and Regina Riggs and their mother Elena Riggs.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 21, from 11:00 am
- 1:00 p.m. at the Broadway United Methodist Church, 3344 N. Broadway,
Chicago co-officiators, Reverend Vernice Thorn, associate pastor, and Rev.
Karen Hutt.




Text provided by Windy City Times - Tracy Baim