"Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics On Trial", documentary on early days of Gay Games, to air on US public television

Participants bring the torch to the Games.
Photo: Federation of Gay Games

Decades before the nation became locked in a contentious fight over the word “marriage,” a gay group’s claim over another word – “Olympics” – instigated a bitter struggle which ultimately was settled at the U.S. Supreme Court. Marking the case’s 25th anniversary, a riveting new half-hour documentary about the “Gay Olympics” Supreme Court case will have its broadcast premiere on PBS beginning June 3 in selected markets.

To see the latest schedule of local PBS showings of this film, check the film's web site HERE or visit the Gay Games online calendar HERE. The film also has its own Facebook page HERE.

More info from PBS:

Gay Games founder Dr. Tom Waddell in front of censored poster.
Photo: Federation of Gay Games

This award-winning 2009 film, Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial tells the story of the San Francisco athletic group that in 1982 tried to hold a “Gay Olympics,” prompting a battle at the nation’s highest court and a challenge over the place of gays and lesbians in American society. The case was lifted into the news again recently and linked to the same-sex marriage fight following a surprising coincidence: the attorney representing the U.S. Olympic Committee in their suit to stop the “Gay Olympics” was Vaughn Walker, who decades later was the federal judge chosen to preside over the Proposition 8 marriage trial.

Susan McGreivy, US Olympian, Gay Games I participant,
and ACLU attorney, helped defend the Games against USOC
Photo: Aquarius Media

Claiming the Title offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes at the Court through interviews with Court insiders, recently released papers and archival video. Drawing on private correspondence from within the Court during the Gay Olympics case, the film reveals a Court struggling over the comparison of discrimination against gays with that toward blacks — anticipating by more than 20 years a controversial issue that erupted during the 2008 battle over California’s Proposition 8.

You can help bring this amazing film to YOUR local PBS station. It has been approved at the national level, but each local affiliate makes its own scheduling decisions. Contact your local PBS station and request that they show Claiming the Title locally.