History of Team Great Lakes documented in collection donated to University of Michigan library

At the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library, you can now consult the Dewey Ames collection, with a strong connection to the Gay Games.

Biography
Dewey Ames was a Michigan native, residing in the Detroit Metro Area. As an active member of the gay community, Ames joined and organized the Detroit team, and later Team Great Lakes, which both participated in the Gay Games. The games began in 1982 as a cultural event for the purpose of unity and identity within the national and international gay and lesbian community. Ames was also involved in charity and fundraising events supporting a local AIDS organization.


Scope and Content Note
The collection largely documents Dewey Ames involvement in the Gay Games throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. The emphasis of these sporting events was to help the Gay and Lesbian Community establish a global unity and strengthen their identity. The Papers of Dewey Ames are arranged into two series, Personal Records, and Other Materials.

The Personal Records series documents Ames’ involvement in the Gay Games, as well as the organizing of Team Great Lakes, in which he participated. Other items are related to his personal life and interest in Gay issues and culture.

The Other Materials series contains pictures of Team Great Lakes, Gay Games IV, and of the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall March in New York. Negatives are included with each set of the photos in a separate envelope. Ephemera included are pins, identification cards, and similar items from the Gay Games and other events. There is also one short video which includes Ames as an interviewee about the Gay Games and their significance.