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.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Olympic athletes say "It Gets Better" on equestrian champion Robert Dover's podcast

As described in Outsports, a great episode of Roert Dover's podcast (on his website HERE):

Four-time Olympic equestrian medalist Robert Dover hosted a who’s-who of gay Olympians on his radio show this week to talk about teen suicide and life for gay kids after high school and college. The show featured Guenter Seidel, Blake Skjellerup, Sherri Cassuto and David Pichler, along with messages from Mark Tewksbury and [Gay Games Ambassador] Bruce Hayes.

Listen HERE or on the player below:

Auf Deutsch: Die VIII Gay Games Koeln 2010, Ein Resuemee

From the website of Cologne-area athletics federation:

Am Samstagabend endeten die VIII Gay-Games mit einer Abschlussfeier im Kölner Rheinpark, am Tanzbrunnen. Zu den Olympischen Spielen der Lesben und Schwulen waren rund 10.000 Teilnehmer aus aller Welt zusammengekommen. Eine Woche voller Emotionen, aber auch kritischer Stimmen. "Warum brauchen die eigene, olympische Spiele und was hat das mit Integration zu tun? Waren die Gay-Games gar nur eine riesige Party, bei der der Sport eher Nebensache war?", fragte sich so manch einer. In der Tat wies das Leistungsvermögen teilweise eine große Bandbreite auf, im Bereich der Leichtathletik gab es beispielsweise Altersklassenbereiche, wo das Ergebnis mangels Mitstreiter unerheblich war. Während manche Sportveranstalter mit einem gewissen Neid die Sportförderung aus öffentlichen Töpfen für eine derartige Veranstaltung kritisierten, setzt die Co-Präsidentin Annette Wachter entgegen, dass gut 12.000 Medaillen vergeben, sowie 29 Weltrekorde aufgestellt wurden.

Continue reading HERE.

En català: Les olimpíades de la inclusió

An extract from an article from El Periodico:

Són moltes les històries de nens que comencen donant puntades de peu a una pilota descalços en un barri humil i acaben arribant a dalt de tot. Encara en són més, malgrat que es coneixen menys, les dels xavals que comencen igual i la vida els acaba obligant a renunciar al futbol. La de Walter García és una història a mig camí i amb matisos. «Jo era molt bo, però un dia la meva mare em va dir que havia de decidir entre estudiar i jugar a futbol. I ho vaig deixar. Durant anys em vaig sentir incomplet». Walter no va abandonar mai del tot la seva gran passió; encara més, amb els anys va decidir unir-la a la que es va convertir en la seva gran lluita, la lluita contra la discriminació dels homosexuals. «Un dia vaig entendre que per ser un campió un ha de ser un mateix». Ara ho explica amb una medalla d'or al coll, la que acaba de guanyar amb la selecció argentina de futbol gai (SAFGay) en la vuitena edició dels Gay Games que es van celebrar la setmana passada a Colònia. «Ha sigut dificilíssim arribar fins aquí, però era molt important per a nosaltres precisament aquest any en què l'Argentina ha guanyat la seva pròpia medalla d'or amb la llei de matrimoni per a persones del mateix sexe», afirma Walter emocionat.

Continue readingHERE.

In italiano: King Kickers at Barcelona EuroGames

Gay football leader named Member of the Order of the British Empire

From BBC News:

The founder of one of the first gay football teams [in the UK] said he was "pinching himself" after being appointed an MBE.

Londoner Aslie Pitter, 50, was recognised for helping to tackle homophobia after setting up London-based Stonewall FC almost 20 years ago.

He told the BBC it was nerve-racking being one of the first openly gay teams to "put our heads on the block" and start playing Sunday football.

Keep reading HERE.

En français: Que sont les Gay Games ?

Les premiers Gay Games, imaginés par une poignée de rêveurs inspirés à l'initiative du Dr Tom Waddell, décathlonien olympique, ont eu lieu à San Francisco en 1982. Depuis, ils ont donné naissance à bientôt huit éditions à travers le monde, tenus tous les quatre ans. Des dizaines de milliers d'hommes et de femmes, de toute orientation sexuelle, ont pu se retrouver dans un environnement accueillant, sûr, et convivial. Plus important encore, ces sportifs et sportives rentrés chez eux ont engendré un mouvement sportif mondial qui met en oeuvre le principe olympique du sport pour tous, représenté en France par la Fédération française sportive gaie et lesbienne (FSGL) qui participe aux Gay Games sous le drapeau "Equipe France".

L'une des plus grandes compétitions sportives du monde, avec ses 10 000 sportifs et sportives, les Gay Games sont aussi la plus grande manifestation sportive ouverte à tous au monde, sans épreuves de qualification, sans critère de sexualité, de sexe, de profession, ou d'âge. Organisés sous les principes de "Participation, Ouverture, et Dépassement de soi", tout adulte peut s'y inscrire et y concourir, aux côtés de sportifs de tout niveau, allant du débutant au médaillé olympique. Seul critère : la capacité de régler l'inscription et les frais annexes, puisque les sportifs concernés ne sont pas envoyés par leurs fédérations nationales, mais participent avec leurs propres moyens. Pour permettre au plus grand nombre de sportifs de par le monde de connaître les Gay Games, la FGG propose des bourses, dont le financement dépend de la solidarité de chacun. Nous vous invitons à y contribuer (www.gaygames.org/en/donate).

En français: "Pourquoi les Gay Games?" du Dr Tom Waddell

Pourquoi des Gay Games ? 

Voici un extrait du Livre blanc rédigé en 1982 par le docteur Tom Waddell, le fondateur des Gay Games, afin de répondre à la question : Pourquoi des Gay Games?

I. Introduction

Les Gay Games San Francisco 1982 qui viennent de se dérouler constituent un évènement phénoménal dans l'histoire des homosexuels. Ce fut une Olympiade dans le sens le plus authentique du terme : un festival sportif et artistique.

Mais ces jeux ont été bien plus encore !

Ces premiers Gay Games ont été une véritable expérience collective en matière d'unité et d'éducation. Ils ont également été un puissant moteur de changement.

J'emploie le mot « expérience » dans son sens scientifique, puisqu'il s'agissait d'un processus de découverte. En regardant de près notre communauté faite de femmes et d'hommes qui vivent leur homosexualité de manière ouverte, nous constatons actuellement une période de mutation rapide. Nous sommes en train de passer d'une communauté unidimensionnelle luttant contre la discrimination à une communauté complexe à facettes multiples, capable de proposer une multitude d'horizons nouveaux pour nous-mêmes, et pour autrui.

En tant que femmes et hommes ouvertement homosexuels, nous avons obtenu de nouvelles et importantes libertés qui vont dans le sens d’une libération de l'oppression liée à nos préférences sexuelles. Mais notre lutte ne doit pas s'y cantonner. Ces progrès récents font partie d'un processus qui doit s'élargir pour englober d'autres secteurs de nos vies. En bref, nous devons mieux connaître le processus de notre libération sexuelle pour mieux le mettre en œuvre en vue d'autres formes de libération.

Dans les Gay Games il n’y a ni séparatisme, ni exclusion. Ils ne sont pas orientés vers la victoire et ne visent pas de profits commerciaux. Au contraire, ils visent à rassembler une communauté mondiale dans un esprit d'amitié, à expérimenter la participation, à ouvrir les esprits et à renforcer l'estime de soi, tout en réalisant une certaine synergie culturelle et intellectuelle.


Vote for Outsports Jerk of the Year

Vote HERE for Outsports "Jerk of the Year"

Nominees are:
Jason Akermanis
Belmont University administration
Homophobes in European soccer
The man posing as Mikey
Stephanie Rice

Learn more about these worthy nominees and vote HERE.

In italiano: Atleti liguri sugli scudi

From the Genoa edition of La Reppublica:

COLONIA - Una medaglia d'argento nel tennis, parecchi podi sfiorati d'un soffio e tante altre buone prove. Genovesi e liguri si sono fatti onore ai Gay Games di Colonia, kermesse sportiva e non che per una settimana ha visto protagonisti diecimila atleti da settanta Paesi. Erano una ventina, divisi in tante discipline ma soprattutto concentrati nella pallavolo e nel nuoto.

L'argento nel tennis è di un imperiese. Due i genovesi titolari del King Kickers, la squadra di calcio che si è piazzata al quarto posto finale ed era guidata da un terzo genovese, il giornalista de La7 Paolo Colombo. Che preso atto del grande successo della manifestazione tedesca, prova a rilanciare: i Mondiali di calcio gay in Italia. A Milano, in occasione dell'Expo 2015. "O magari a Genova, città che lo scorso anno ha dimostrato di essere molto gay friendly". Ma il sogno è anche un altro: "Coinvolgere Genoa e Sampdoria in una campagna contro l'omofobia. Tra i calciatori genovesi ci sono tanti ragazzi intelligenti e sensibili, sono sicuro che ci darebbero una mano a far cadere tanti stupidi pregiudizi".

Keep reading HERE.

In italiano: 10 mila atleti a Colonia L'Italia fa incetta di medaglie

From La Reppublica:

COLONIA - Diecimila atleti da settanta paesi di tutto il mondo, quaranta discipline diverse: i Gay Games 2010 si sono chiusi ieri a Colonia e per una settimana è stato uno straordinario successo sportivo e culturale, che ha visto oltre duecento atleti azzurri protagonisti. Sette giorni di gare in diversi settori (atletica leggera, nuoto, basket, volley, tennis, calcio, badminton, nuoto sincronizzato - per uomini e donne - , lotta, scacchi, danza, free climbing, softball, vela, ciclismo, biliardo, arti marziali, sollevamento pesi, pallamano, pattinaggio, golf, hockey, bridge, bowling, culturismo) e sette notti di feste coloratissime nella città sul Reno, con concerti tutte e gala.

Read in full HERE.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Chicago Rowing Union in The Chicagoist

From the Chicagoist:

As [the Chicago Rowing Union] glides into its five-year anniversary next month, Chicagoist caught up with Curcio to discuss the organization’s accomplishments, common misconceptions about the sport (hint: coxwains do more than yell at the rowers), and why the team adopted a new moniker last year.

Chicagoist:Talk about some of CRU’s most notable achievements over the last 5 years—How has the organization grown and evolved?

Scott Curcio: It’s been quite a journey over our short five year existence. Competing internationally, recruiting our first women, having professional coaches join our group, purchasing our first boats, attaining 501(c)3 non-profit status—those are a few of our most notable highlights. What began as a group of 12 men with no experience, learning to row, and then winning medals at the Gay Games, has evolved into a full-fledged rowing organization that now has several race wins to our credit. Our on-water results mimic the success we’ve had off the water.

C: CRU’s original name was Qrew—why did the name change to Chicago Rowing Union in 2009?

SC: CRU changed its name to best reflect our mission—inclusion is an important part of what we do, and we felt it was important that our name reflect that as well. We welcome anyone who wants to be a part of our organization—gender or sexual orientation is irrelevant. In fact, we have had several straight team members and coaches over the years! Changing our name made it very clear that—gay or straight—you can find your place with CRU.


Read the full article HERE.

Video report on Justin Fashanu All-Stars

Jason Hall interviewed on the Justin Fashanu All-Stars.

Thanks to APNtv.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

John Amaechi interview in SportsFriendly

From John Amaechi's interview in SportsFriendly:


So John, how were the Gay Games?!
It was fantastic. I hesitated at first, but when I arrived and saw athletes competing so hard, and then showing their camaradery during and after the events, that galvanized the city of Cologne. It was just great.

Did you meet French athletes? They had great results in a number of events.
I did meet some French athletes, mostly in basketball and track. The basketball team was pretty good, and could be proud of the way they played.

What's your best memory of this event?
I think it was the part of town where there were bars where athletes met up in the street at the end of the day to unwind. It was amazing to see so many great athetes, all gay, and all in one place!

Read the full interview HERE.

Matthew Mitcham interview in SportsFriendly

From Matthew Mitcham's interview in SportsFriendly:

How did you find the Gay Games?
I was never so inspired in my life. I heard stories that touched me deeply. It was an experience I'll never forget.

What is the more important memory you have of the Gay Games in Cologne?
Opening Ceremony, of course! I read the Athletes' Oath in a stadium for 10,000 persons. It was incredible.

Did you meet French athletes?
Yes, when I went to the pool!

Read the full interview HERE.

2nd issue of SportsFriendly magazine available online

The second issue of SportsFriendly magazine, produced by BlueSavana in cooperation with Yagg.com and FGG member organization FSGL, is available online. A high-def version will be available Monday, and paper versions will soon be placed in various gay and lesbian venues.

Highlights in this issue:

  • Cover art by noted artists Pierre et Gilles
  • Special section on sport and HIV
  • Sports iPhone apps
  • Profiles of FSGL clubs Football Club Paris Arc en ciel and Groupe Grimpe et Glisse (skiing, climbing...)
  • News from the FSGL
  • Interviews with Matthew Mitcham, John Amaechi, and cover model bodybuilder Brigitte Javel
  • Focus on women's sport: Les Marsupiloupettes volleyball team
Download this issue HERE.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Act to make South African justice minister respond regarding "corrective rape"

Follow-up on the petition on "corrective rape" from Change.org (read our original post HERE):

Ndumie and her volunteer supporters first sent a formal letter to South Africa's Minister of Justice Jeffrey Thamsanqa Radebe, calling on him to declare 'corrective rape' a hate crime and work to find solutions to the 'corrective rape' epidemic.

"The South African government and the justice system is failing these victims of corrective rape by letting the perpetrators out on ridiculously low bail, and taking literally years to bring the court-cases to a conclusion," read the petition to the minister. "In the meantime the victims have to live with seeing their rapists every day, being taunted and threatened by them, as are those who help the victims!"

When the minister did not reply, the women launched a petition. It soon became the most popular Change.org petition of all time, and has garnered more than 60,000 signatures to date.

What did Jeff Radebe, charged with leading the cause of justice in South Africa, do after receiving the message that tens of thousands of people all over the world had demanded he do something about 'corrective rape'?

Absolutely nothing.

To date, the only communication from the minister's office was a terse email from Tlali Tlali, the minister's chief of staff, to Ben Rattray, the founder of Change.org, saying that the minister finds it "wholly unnecessary for you to send so many individualized emails whose content is the same... You have made it virtually impossible for us to access other emails as doing so is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"We provide supporters of campaigns hosted on Change.org with the ability to send direct emails to targets with their own individual email address, and do not censor these emails," Ben replied. "We appreciate your understanding and assistance in obtaining a formal response to this matter, which is something I know will continue to grow in interest among people across the world in the coming weeks should we not receive a response from the Minister."

We have not yet received a reply from the Minister Radebe's office.

To sum up what has happened here: a tiny group of grassroots community activists in the townships of Cape Town have successfully used a Change.org petition to get tens of thousands of people all over the world to join the call for a South African minister to do something about a series of unbelievably heinous and unpunished crimes.

He has ignored them, not even instructing a staff member to pick up the phone and arrange a meeting.

Today the activists of Luleki Sizwe once again showed that they refuse to be ignored, and are pushing a new petition simply calling on Minister Radebe to meet with Luleki Sizwe founder Ndumie Funda.

Let's show the South African government that we will continue to get thousands of signatures every time our support is needed, until the 'corrective rape' epidemic is finally taken seriously.

Please sign the petition below and forward it to everyone you know.


Click HERE to sign.

Mickey Rourke confirms plans to play Gareth Thomas in biopic

Confirmation of rumors being heard since last summer in the Toronto Sun:

Mickey Rourke has confirmed he’s tackling a new movie role based on the true story of a gay rugby player.

The actor met up with Welsh sports ace Gareth Thomas over the summer, prompting rumours the pair was set to bring the athlete’s tale to the big screen - and the gossip is true.

Rourke says, “I read the story, it’s one of the toughest, hardest sports... and to be a man that plays rugby that is gay, to live with that secret for the amount of years Gareth had, to perform at the high level he performed at, it takes a lot of courage.”

And the Wrestler star admits he’s already in training to master Thomas’ Welsh accent.

Thomas hit headlines last year when he became the first rugby union player to ’come out’ as a gay man.

Paris Football Club Arc en ciel's video slide show of Gay Games VIII


My guess is that if we see more Koelsch action than football action, it's because the photographer was on the field during the matches...

A look back at Lesbian and Gay Band Association's performance in Obama Inaugural Parade

From WNYC radio's The Takeaway, preparation for FGG member organization LGBA's marching band performance in January 2009:

Monday, December 27, 2010

Latest episode of Compete Radio now available

Listen to Compete Radio's latest episode:

Josh, Buddy, Alfonzo, Connie, Eric, and Jay would all like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. It's Christmas Eve, and we've put together a brand-new special show for you.

Grab some hot cocoa, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

In Sports News this week, Buddy gives us the run down on who has been naughty or nice this year. My my, there's so many getting coal in their stockings this year.

Sports Pop hits a hard topic today when Alfonzo discovers Michael Vick plans to get another dog after abusing and killing almost 50 dogs before. Is he a changed man?

Hot Topics: DADT Repealed! Thank you Obama!

Northern Wave swimmers at Gay Games VIII

View the photo gallery from Northern Wave (Manchester) swim club at Gay Games VIII HERE.

Promo video for 2011 NCAA division I womens gymnastics championships in Cleveland

From April 15-17, 2011, the top women university gymnasts will compete at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

A look back at Team Colorado's Gay Games VIII blog

During Gay Games VIII, Sonya Lewis and Team Colorado followed team news on their dedicated blog, which you can find HERE. Some of these posts were also posted here in our "live from Cologne" series, but you'll find them all, and more on this fun blog.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

New Zealand Herald on Kiwis at Gay Games VIII

From the New Zealand Herald:

New Zealand athletes have blitzed the podiums at an international sporting competition with a bit of a difference.

They have won at least 36 medals at Gay Games Cologne in Germany, where 10,000 gay athletes from more than 70 countries are competing.

Team Auckland Masters Swimming have made a massive splash, hauling in 19 medals from the pool in Germany.

The gay gamers have also picked up 12 track and field medals and five cycling medals.

Wellington 57-year-old Don Barclay is surely the Kiwi story of the games, coming back from breaking his wrist in October to win gold medals in his age group in both discus and shot put by massive margins.

Latest issue of EGLSF newsletter looks back at Gay Games VIII

The latest issue of the EGLSF newsletter is out.

Read it HERE.


VIII Gay Games were successfully celebrated in Cologne from 31st July to 7th August. For information about this important event, please see www.gamescologne.de. Thanks to the invitation by the organisers and FGG (Federation of Gay Games), EGLSF and the EuroGames were visibly present during the whole celebration of the event.

EGLSF feels proud of the accomplishment achieved by its member Janus Cologne, which celebrated recently its 30th  anniversary. Just after VIII Gay Games, FGG held its General Assembly. EGLSF was officially invited and many EGLSF clubs participated in it as FGG members.

GQ Magazine profiles NHL coach Brian Burke

From GQ Magazine (h/t Outsports):

Brian Burke isn't just a legend of the NHL. He's a fists-up, knock-your-teeth-out gladiator. But when his hockey-loving son came out of the closet and died soon after, he was thrust into a strange new role: advocate for gays in a macho sports culture. He's no cheerleader—he looks like he hates every minute of it—but locker-room homophobia may have finally met its match.

[...]

He tells the boys that it took a lot of courage for his son to tell him he was gay: "If you look at the line of work I'm in, the macho image that I have, I'm probably the biggest proponent of hard-nosed hockey that there is on the planet." He reminds them of the Welsh professional rugby player Gareth Thomas, one of the most rugged guys in the world, who recently came out. Some of the kids are bored, and you can see it in their restless legs. He grabs their attention back with a story about bullying when he was in ninth grade. "We had a boy with a learning disability in our class, and I came out of gym class and someone had tipped his books on the floor. Then someone kicked this kid, as hard as he could, as he bent down to pick up his books. I grabbed the kid who kicked him and threw him right through the trophy case on the other side of the hall. Broke all the glass, knocked all the trophies down. I just snapped. I didn't think it was right." This is the Brian Burke everybody in the room recognizes.

Burke finishes talking, invites questions, and steps back from the podium. The room is dead quiet until Burke needles them: "Not one question in a whole room full of kids?" When a student asks if he regrets tossing that bully into the glass case, Burke doesn't hesitate. "No. I know your teachers would like me to give a better answer than that, but no.... It seemed like a really good idea at that time, and the bullying stopped."

Read the full profile HERE.

Gotham Knights Rugby says "It Gets Better"

New York's Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club has produced this video for the "It Gets Better" project.

Visit our "It Gets Better" page HERE.

Eurout report on Gay Games VIII cheerleading competition

A look back at Eurout's coverage of Gay Games VIII, with this report on the cheerleading competition:

So to get to see the cheerleading, live, right in front of my eyes was almost like one of my secret little dreams come true. Cheerleaders from San Francisco, New York and LA all gathered at Neumarkt for yet another Gay Games, but this year was different for them because this time they actually had a tournament too, but not before giving an unforgettable show the day before.

It was quite spectacular! The display of athletics and sportsmanship was very much a part of this and it was every bit as exciting as I imagined it would be. When I try to pinpoint what I like best about it, I decided it was the way the spectators are completely drawn in. At one point I looked around me and they too were chanting and cheering and clapping their hands like they were every bit a part of the display, just as much as the gymnasts themselves. The energy from the squad rippled through the crowds and people were just drawn to the stage from all around. So much so that I made a mental note to arrive earlier the next day for good viewing opportunities, and good thing I did because it seemed as if word had spread about how electric they had been and the audience had more than doubled. Not even the near monsoon sent people away and they just stood and cheered and got soaked right until the results came through.

Read the full post HERE.

Tackle's best and worst quotes of the year on homophobia in football

Read all the quotes HERE.


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Forgot a Christmas present? The FGG merchandise shop awaits!

Yagg Sports Awards have some FGG connections

Yagg.com has published its second annual list of "Yagg Sports Awards". It's a bit tongue in cheek, but we have to agree with their choices, which include:

Award for Dignity to football player Yoann Lemaire, the most visible victim of homophobia in football in France.

Award for Sports Leader to Bruno Aussenac, outgoing president of the FSGL: "pour l’ensemble de son œuvre au sein de la Fédération sportive gay et lesbienne (FSGL). Auréolé d’une médaille de la fédération des Gay Games, il laisse sa place à la vice-présidente de la fédé, Christelle Foucault à qui l’on souhaite les mêmes joies." (For all his work in the French LGBT sports federation. Honored with a medal from the Federation of Gay Games, he is leaving his place to the VP of the FSGL, Christelle Foucault, to whom we wish the same joys."

Award for the Best Smile to Matthew Mitcham: "Deux ans après son coming-out, il est toujours aussi heureux, motivé et toujours aussi charmant. Encore un que la communauté gay à la chance d’avoir. Et en sport? Toujours au top. Le champion olympique de plongeon de Pékin a toujours une belle marge de progression." (Two years after coming out, he's just as happy, motivated, and as charming as ever. One more guy the gay community is lucky to have. And in sport? Still at the top of his game. And the Beijing Olympic diving champion still has room to progress.)

Friday, December 24, 2010

A message from FGG Co-Presidents: Onwards and Upwards Toward 2011

Dear Friends of Gay Games,

As we approach the end of 2010, a year marked by successful Gay Games VIII in Cologne, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Gay Games we want to thank you all for your continued support and efforts.

With your help, thousands of participants around the world have participated in eight editions of the Gay Games. Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best ™, since Gay Games I in 1982, the Gay Games have promoted equality and human rights while empowering thousands of athletes and artists through sport and culture, fellowship and festivities.

To see the results of your work and continuing support, click
HERE to see a summary of what the FGG has accomplished for each of the past five years.

As we look forward to another year of productive collaboration and move forward together towards Gay Games IX 2014 in Cleveland+Akron and One Quadrennial Event in 2018, we wish you all much health and happiness.

Onwards and upwards!

Emy Ritt and Kurt Dahl
Co-Presidents
Federation of Gay Games

Merry Christmas from the Federation of Gay Games!


To all our friends who are celebrating Christmas, our very best wishes for the holiday!

Taking stock: A look back at the Federation of Gay Games... in 2010

Taylor Dayne performs at opening ceremony at RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne
The highlight of 2010 for the FGG was of course Gay Games VIII, a fantastic event organized by Host Games Cologne.

Britta, Marie (Games Cologne) and Laura (FGG) at New York promo
Marketing Gay Games VIII: As part of its efforts to share the risks and organising tasks associated with the Gay Games, the FGG continued to execute a multi-year plan to reinvest license fees paid by the Host directly into marketing events to promote Gay Games VIII, in particular by building upon the experience of the Chicago Gay Games to promote Gay Games VIII in North America. Special thanks to Kevin Boyer and All Terrain for their support and expertise.

Games Cologne organized a series of North American and Australian tours to promote registration, which proved to be a great success, ensuring the presence of thousands of athletes from these key areas, a real achievement during a time of great economic distress and uncertainty,.

Cleveland+Akron delegation at closing ceremony
Gay Games IX: As part of an expanded effort to support the Host, a joint GGIX Steering Committee was created with representatives from both FGG and the Host. The FGG Board also approved the development of a Gay Games registration system to be used as of 2014. Beginning with Gay Games IX, license fee payments will be based on revenue actually received and balanced with the Host’s organisational requirements.

A delegation from Cleveland+Akron was present in Cologne, where they received the official FGG flag in a handover ceremony from Games Cologne.

In December, a licence agreement was signed with Cleveland Special Events Corporation, a non-profit entity including public, para-public and LGBT community representatives, to serve as Host of Gay Games VIII in 2014 in Cleveland+Akron, Ohio.

New Gay Games website: In January, FGG launched a new website www.gaygames.org, offering the possiblity of greater interactivity and faster updates. Work continues on transferring content from our former site and adding features such as an improved events calendar.


Mayor of Cologne, Earle, La Riviere-Zijdel, Mitcham (photo Nicolas Datiche)
International Rainbow Memorial Run: The 2010 International Rainbow Memorial Run events pay tribute to the memory of artist Keith Haring, lesbian activist Rikki Streicher and Dr. Tom Waddell, the Founder of the Gay Games, and to all those lost to AIDS, breast cancer, or for any reason.

Runs in past host cities, starting with San Francisco and including Vancouver, Sydney, Amsterdam, New York and Chicago, lead to the final run in Cologne on opening day of Gay Games VIII, with hundreds of people running, walking and biking along the banks of the Rhine. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Brent Nicholson Earle for ensuring that this event, along with the memorial quilt exhibition, takes place at each Gay Games.

Inauguration of Memorial Quilt
The 2010 memorial quilt exhibition took place in the "Spanish Building" of Cologne City Hall. A new quilt, created by the local Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, was created for Gay Games VIII, and was inaugurated at a moving ceremony on the eve of opening day.







Westerwelle greets Games Cologne Ambassadors
Equipe France (photo Nicolas Datiche)
Gay Games VIII: On 31 July, the Games opened under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Guido Westerwelle at a moving ceremony at RheinEnergie Stadium, with 10,000 athletes and artists participating.



"Sound of the Gay Games" gala concert
Award winners with official flage (N. Datiche)
Highlights included a memorial quilt exhibition at Cologne City Hall, art exhibitions in the city's museums and galleries, historical exhibitions at the German Sport and Olympic Museum, concerts throughout the city, with a gala concert at the University of Music and Dance, and countless other cultural events.




photo Marc Naimark
photo Brad Fletcher
Athletes competed in 35 sports, many of which were concentrated in Sportpark Muengersdorf and the facilities there of the German Sports University, the recently built NetCologne track stadium, and the brand-new outdoor swimming complex, rebuilt by the City of Cologne to meet international standards.

photo special permission from Patrick D. Reschke (glanzbilder.org)
New events included Sport Shooting, held in partnership with one of the oldest sports clubs in the world, whose history goes back to the Middle Ages, and for the first time, competitive cheerleading.

Record performances were obtained in several sports, including powerlifitng (German national record level) and swimming (masters).

Food, entertainment, and friendly encounters were availble at the villages at Rudolfplatz and Neumarkt, including a Women's Place and stages for live music and other entertainment, including the cheerleading competition.
Pickup, Morgan, Rogat

Neumarkt was also the site of the FGG booth, staffed by volunteers (special thanks to Jenna) and shared with the Cleveland delegation and sponsor Olivia Cruises. At the booth, visitors could take the WADA Athlete Outreach quiz, adapted to take into account the Gay Games VIII inclusive anti-doping policy.

Matthew Mitcham at swimming venue
Gay Games VIII could be known as the "volunteer games". All staff were volunteers, and FGG officials heard only the highest of praise for the dedication, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness of the countless volunteers from the local LGBT community, as well as the many mainstream sports organizations involved in the events.
Ferris, Mitcham, Naidoo, Amaechi
The FGG was delighted with the presence of many Gay Games Ambassadors, including several who competed in their sport. The Gay Games are a unique opportunity for a beginner or recreational athlete to compete alongside an Olympic medallist or a world champion in their sport. The FGG also invited some special guests, such as Stephen Frost, director for diversity and inclusion for the London Olympics, board members of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation, and Matthew Mitcham, Olympic gold medal diver.

Scholarship reception
CHEER SF at closing ceremony (photo Naimark)
Nearly 200 men and women were able to participate thanks to the generous donors to the Gay Games scholarship programme.

Closing ceremony took place outdoors at Tanzbrunnen park on the Rhine, with a festive "Oktoberfest" atmosphere.



Special thanks to Annette Wachter, Michael Lohaus, Christof Gaspers, Armin Lohaus, Barbara Strewinsky, and the ENTIRE Games Cologne team for their tremendous work that resulted in a fantastic week in Cologne for all!

Brent Nicholson Earle and Sara Waddell Lewinstein
Tom Waddell Award: Finalists for the Tom Waddell Award, the highest honor of the Federation of Gay Games, were designated by the FGG Board, with the male and female winners chosen by a selection committee representing former winners, Honorary Life Members, the General Assembly, and delegates chosen by the Waddell family. The winners announced at Opening Ceremony of Gay Games VIII were Sara Waddell Lewinstein, widow of Tom Waddell and a key organizer of Gay Games I and II, and Brent Nicholson Earle, the creator of the International Rainbow Memorial Run.

Tribute to Gay Games Bidders: To show appreciation to those who have heeded the call to "take the flame", FGG invited a representative from each of the past twenty Gay Games Bidding Organisations to the Gay Games VIII Opening Ceremony and awarded a Gay Games Medal of Honour to each organisation as a token of their appreciation and gratitude at the FGG Awards Ceremony. This award was not only for the efforts and sacrifice of bidders in support of the Gay Games movement, but also for their longstanding cooperation and loyalty over the years. Over the last three decades, the Gay Games has been very fortunate to have had many bidders from all over the world step forward to participate in the Site Selection process. Without the support of bidders, the Gay Games would not be the premier LGBT international multisport and cultural festival that we know today. Therefore, it seemed only fitting to pay tribute to all Gay Games Bidders and to salute them for being key contributors to the almost 30-year Gay Games movement.

Ambassador John Amaechi, Joey Justin, Kurt Dahl
Legacy Awards: This ceremony also saw the presentation of the 2010 FGG Legacy Awards, with a focus on participation in the Gay Games. Thus the awards for Outstanding Athletes (Joey Justin and Paulette Meggoe) and Outstanding Cultural Participants (Connie Moore and Loren McGlade), each of whom has a remarkable history as a participant in multiple Gay Games, and for Fundraising for CHEER SF, in recognition of their fundraising for charitable causes locally and at each Gay Games, and for their work to ensure that each member of the team can travel to and participate in the Gay Games.



Stone, Matthew Mitcham, Lischke, Strewinski, Leigh-Ann Naidoo
Volunteers of the Year: At the same ceremony, the Cape Town Cup was awarded to two FGG volunteers (Jason Stone and Roz Quarto) and two Games Cologne volunteers (Philipp Lischke and Barbara Strewinski). Jason and Roz have provided substantial value-in-kind in terms of legal counsel, with Roz also serving as part of the 2014 Site Inspection team. Philipp, part of the original bid team for Gay Games VIII, took advantage of his move to Sydney to become a tireless promoter of Gay Games VIII in Australia, and a huge help in ensuring the presence of Matthew Mitcham in Cologne. Barbara was a key player in Games Cologne, taking in charge in particular printing and visual design work.

Annual Meeting at Pullman Hotel
Annual Meeting: For the first time, the FGG Annual Meeting was held immediately after the Gay Games, allowing for more organizations to participate. A streamlined agenda was used to allow key business to be held in a single day. This included board elections, and various motions, including one on the designation of the FGG delegates to the Joint Working Group for One Quadrennial Event.

We take this opportunity to thank Darl Schaaff and our board liaison Martyn Pïckup for their work in ensuring the success of the various events organized by the FGG in Cologne.


Kate Rowe at Women and Sport
Buthelezi and Naidoo
Agora du sport
Conferences: As part of the strategic plan adopted in 2008, the FGG increased its involvement with external organizations and events. Among the most visible aspects of this commitment were the FGG's participation in various international seminars.

In January, the FGG was represented by Marc Naimark and Emy Ritt at the Agora du sport in Paris at a session on racism in sport, under the patronage of French international football legend and education activist Lilian Thuram. In March, Kate Rowe presented a paper on FGG's gender and gender equity policies at the International Working Group for Women and Sport's international conference in Sydney.

 In July Darl Schaaff represented the FGG at the International Olympic Committee's Sport for All conference in Finland. And earlier this month Hlengiwe Buthelezi and Ambassador Leigh-Ann Naidoo represented the FGG at the 7th World Conference on Sport, Education, and Culture in Durban.

Emy Ritt and Bruno Aussenac
Medal of Honour: At the end of the year, the FGG Board decided to award its first medals of honour to two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the LGBT sport movement.

The first was presented earlier this month to outgoing president of French LGBT sports organization Fédération sportive gaie et lesbienne (FSGL), Bruno Aussenac, and the second will be announced in early 2011.

UNESCO: In November, discussions with UNESCO at their Paris headquarters were launched in the context of the UNESCO/IOC 7th World Conference on Sport, Culture and Education in Durban, South Africa. Further discussions will continue as FGG works to obtain UNESCO patronage for specific FGG events.

One Quadrennial Event: In March, the FGG Board issued a public statement supporting efforts to organise a joint quadrennial event with GLISA. With support and approval received from the FGG General Assembly at the 2010 Annual Meeting in Cologne, FGG members elected the Co-Presidents and five delegates to the 1QE Joint Working Group in an open and transparent voting process. With twenty-three candidates from around the world having applied to participate in the joint working group, the General Assembly reviewed the applications and voted to designate the top five choices by preferential voting. Special thanks to Marc Naimark and Sean Fitzgerald for managing the myriad of procedures and logistics and for ensuring complete transparency in the process.

We look forward to another year of productive and collaborative efforts as we go forward together towards Gay Games IX 2014 in Cleveland and One Quadrennial Event in 2018.


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