A look back at Tom Waddell

With the premiere of the film "Claiming the Title" coming soon, we thought it interesting to recall the birth of the Gay Games with this article from the New York Times.

Scouting; The Two Wars Of Tom Waddell

Published: October 28, 1986

Tom Waddell, who placed sixth in the 1968 Olympic decathlon and helped found the Gay Games in San Francisco four years ago, is fighting two battles these days. He has high hopes of winning one - an appeal to the Supreme Court of decisions siding with the United States Olympic Committee, which has prohibited the Gay Games from using the designation ''Gay Olympics.''

Continue reading at the New York Times.

Foto Flashback: Gay Games on Photobucket

See photos from Gay Games VII Chicago 2006 on Photobucket.

Sydney Star Observer supports Gay Games VIII

Sydney Star Observer’s parent company, SSO Media, has signed a sponsorship agreement with the 2010 Cologne Gay Games.

The deal, which also include the company’s Melbourne publication, Southern Star, will strengthen Australia’s representation at the global event.

“We are so grateful to have the support of Sydney Star Observer and Southern Star for the 2010 Gay Games,” Games Cologne CEO Annette Wachter said.

“Visibility is such a key part of getting people to participate and having top media outlets like SSO Media as our partners helps us in Australia and around the globe.

“Anyone who was in Sydney for the 2002 Gay Games already knows how hopeful and excited we are becoming here in Cologne. Only seven cities and five countries have hosted the Gay Games and we are honoured that our brothers and sisters in Australia are supporting us over the next year as we finish the hard work to get our city and community ready to welcome you.”

Click here to continue reading

Gay Games VIII songwriting contest

Gay Games Cologne 2010 are looking for the official theme song! Songwriters from all over the world are invited to contribute. Win a chance to have your work represent the Cologne 2010 Gay Games to the world!

An internal board of experts will choose the top five of all the compositions submitted for a grand finale. A live event will be held to select the winner by a panel of celebrities both from the field of culture and from the gay and lesbian community.

This official theme song will then be recorded prior to the Gay Games 2010 and published on CD and in online stores. It will also be used to advertise the Gay Games 2010.

More info here.

GGVIII 2010 Gay Games Sailing

GGVIII 2010
Gay Games Sailing

Be part of Gay Games history when you sail in the first Gay Games to offer a pan-European setting. Sailing will take place just across the Netherlands border in scenic Roermond, where all the best Cologne sailors compete.

Venue
All sailing events will be held on the Maas lakes (www.watersportschool.de), a popular and world-renowned sailing spot, located 90km from Cologne. Shuttle buses will run 3 times per day to and from Roermond. Cost is €10 round-trip for participants and €20 for spectators.

Dates of Events - 31 July to 7 August 2010
Monday, 2 August - Training (optional)
Tuesday, 3 August - 1st Round (3 races)
Wednesday, 4 August - 2nd Round (3 races)
Thursday, 5 August - 3rd Round (3 races)
Friday, 6 August - Finals

Participation
The fleet is comprised of 20 identical VALK sailboats. A maximum of 60 teams with 3 crew per team (180 participants in total) will take part. As of 1 January, 2009, a waiting list exists to fill remaining team allocations. Teams will be placed on the list according to date and time registration was received. Don't wait to register !!

Categories and Divisions of Competition
There will be a competitive and recreational category. To ensure adequate and fair distribution in the divisions, teams may be asked to change category. There are no weight limits.

Rules of Play
The Regatta will follow the rules of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the the German Sailing Federation (DSV).

Boats & Equipment
20 6.5 Meter (21 feet) Valk keelboats will be used. (Some participants may already be familiar with these boats, which were used for the 2001 and 2002 EuroGay Cup Regattas in preparation for the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney.) Life vests will be available for use. See www.glorysailing.org for boat information.
E-mail Contact: sailing@games-cologne.de

We hope to see you all at Gay Games VIII in 2010 in Cologne for a spectacular sailing experience !

For more information and to register today, visit www.games-cologne.com

Follow the IGLFA action!

Follow the tournament at the IGLFA 2010 Tournament Center.

Two days to IGLFA!

Two Weeks To Go Till IGLFA 2009!

A message from Federation of Gay Games member organization IGLFA:

Are You Getting Excited? 2 Weeks To Go Till IGLFA 2009

INFO HERE

There is now less than 2 weeks until IGLFA 2009 - The Official 2009 Gay Soccer World Championship!

If you are not registered because you don't have a team to play with, don't let that stop you! You can sign up as an "Individual Player Looking For A Team To Play On". Just fill out all the information that we ask, and we will make sure that you are on a team for the tournament. There are several teams that are still looking for players to round out their rosters.

IGLFA 2009 is THE GLBT Soccer (football....futbol) Event of 2009. We've said it before, and we'll say it again - Don't be a part of just any sporting event....Be The MAIN Event!

Follow "Spud on the Run" from Sydney to Cologne

Follow a future ex couch potato striving to achieve her fitness goals, with among her major milestone challenges, participation in Martial Arts at Gay Games VIII in Cologne. Visit the "Spud on the Run" blog to learn more.

Do you have a blog where you talk about your preparation for Gay Games VIII? Write Kelly and we'll be happy to share the info!

Gay Games Scholarship

This is worth a repost. You can change a life. Donate.

Click HERE .

Gay Games and VolunteerMatch

The Federation of Gay Game has signed on to VolunteerMatch to recruit more volunteers and bring volunteers from the entire world. VolunteerMatch offers a method of reaching out with social networking to bring people to the causes they really wish to help.

Congratulations Dick Uyvari

Pictured: Larry Pike ( left ) and Dick Uyvari.
Photo courtesy Stephanie Johnstone, Vice President of IGBO

From Windy City Times:

The International Gay Bowling Organization ( IGBO ) honored Chicago’s Dick Uyvari with its Fellowship Award at the organization’s 29th annual meeting and tournament, held over Memorial Day weekend in Oklahoma City. The Fellowship Award is IGBO’s highest honor and is presented to two individuals each year that best represent the organization’s motto—unity, fellowship and communication. Denver’s Larry Pike also received the award.

Uyvari was singled out for his record of service in the bowling community and philanthropy. He served on IGBO’s first board of directors and was instrumental in founding Chicago’s first gay bowling tournament; He served as president, secretary or treasurer in more than a dozen Chicago leagues. He also represented Chicago’s leagues in IGBO for nearly ten years and co-directed the only IGBO tournament ever hosted in Chicago.


Click HERE to read the full article.

http://www.windycitytimes.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gay Games Blogger Note:
Dick Uyvari and his life partner Joe La Pat have been fantastic supporters of the Gay Games and so many other organisations through out the years. His partner Joe La Pat died 1 year ago this month. Dick Uyvari continues their good work.

Team Philly SportsWeek starts today!

For a great story on this event, visit the Philadelphia Gay News.

And for the full schedule, visit the SportsWeek website.

Team Philadelphia’s SportsWeek Homophobia in Sports Discussion

Friday 06/05/2009 7-9 PM
Speakers Panel Discussion on Homophobia in Sports

Our Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support the athletic community, will be opening Team Philadelphia’s SportsWeek on June 5th 2009 with a panel discussion focusing on the current environment for LGBT student-athletes at universities nationwide. The attitudes toward LGBT individuals in general society versus attitudes toward the same individuals within the athletic community show a huge discrepancy with the athletic community’s views lagging about ten years behind that of the general population. The group of current and former student-athletes along with their advisory board of the top some of the top scholars in the field, are determined to merge that gap. Members of the Our Group board will discuss current challenges within the athletic community while telling their own personal stories ranging from struggle to triumph and acceptance and focusing on the importance of action within LGBT community as well as support within the athletic community.

Panelists will include:

Sean Smith – Rutgers University ’05, 2005 Big East Swimmer of the Year, Assistant Coach 05-06, 2000 & 2004 Olympic Trials competitor, Our Group Secretary, Out 100 Honoree 2007

Jenelle DeVits – University of New Hampshire ’09, Women’s Basketball team captain 08-09, Walk on freshman, scholarship athlete Jr. and Sr. season, Wildcat award recipient for embodying the goals of a UNH student-athlete, Our Group Treasurer

Anna Aagenes – University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2010
Major: Gender, Society, and Culture, Minor: Spanish
Team Captain Cross Country 2009-Track 2010, Team MVP 2009 Season, 2nd Team All Ivy, NCAA Regional Qualifier 800 m
Co-Chair Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia and Co-Chair Queer Student Alliance

Brian Sims - Bloomsburg University '01, Michigan State University Law School '04
Captain 2000 Div. II College Football National Champion Runner-Up, Two-time NCAA Regional All-American
Staff Counsel for Policy & Planning at the Philadelphia Bar Association, Chair of the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia

Ted Rybka - Arizona State University (B.A. Russian 1996; Master of Mass Communications 2006), Director of Sports Media for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Our Group founding board member

Mark Schuster – moderator
Mark has been an administrator and faculty for over twenty-five years in the Northeast and Midwest. Currently the Senior Dean of Students at Rutgers University, supervises all deans at Rutgers along with 30,000 students and Judicial affairs for 45,000 students. He is also an affiliate faculty psych and women’s and gender studies and has taught Sport and Sexuality classes for 10 years. Mark has a Masters in Sport Psychology and Cultural Studies of Sport from the University of Iowa and his PhD. coursework is in Higher Education Administration, also from Iowa.


Time: 7:00-9:00
Date: Friday, June 5, 2009
Place: Carriage House, 3907 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA

Websites of Gay Games IX bidders

All three bidders now have their websites up and running.

Boston 2014
Cleveland Synergy Foundation
Metropolitan Washington Gaymes

GAY GAMES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The photo above shows some of the worldwide locations from which GAY GAMES SCHOLARSHIP recipients travelled to participate in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.


The international Federation of Gay Games and Games Cologne are working together to offer scholarships to Gay Games VIII. The application form for GGVIII scholarships is available online. Applications are being accepted through 1 August 2009.

We need your financial help to make this dream a reality for Gay Games Scholarship applicants from around the world. Your contribution will help to bring a deserving athlete or artist to Cologne next summer for this life-changing experience. Our goal is to raise USD 100,000 or more to bring as many applicants as possible to Cologne, Germany.

Take a look at our GAY GAMES SCHOLARSHIP video !

This video shows the powerful and enabling impact that Gay Games Scholarships have made. To continue this important and life-changing program, we need your help.

Please make a donation via PayPal to support the Gay Games Scholarship Program's efforts to bring people to Cologne in 2010.

Look at the smiles on these faces. They are hoping you'll support the GAY GAMES Scholarship Program!

Volleyballers prepare for TIP

Yagg au TIP épisode 2: le volley
envoyé par yaggvideo. - Découvrez les dernières vidéos de sport.

Yagg continues its coverage of the TIP. Anne-Catherine says that she usually trains witht the boys, because it's more of a physical challenge, but she also trains with the girls, because it's more technical, and because she likes the socializing. The big advantage of the TIP: the opportunity to meet foreign players.

Games Cologne and FGG at TIP registration event

Representatives of the FGG, Games Cologne, and Copenhagen Outgames at the Tournoi international de Paris registration event, 29 May 2009

Many participants (including our friends from Copenhagen) took advantage of the 10 euro discount offered for registration at the TIP.

FSGL president Bruno Aussenac interviewed by Michel Royer for a documentary on LGBT sport produced by French broadcaster Canal Plus.

Gay Games VII: Be part of it!

Olympic Diver Matthew Mitcham calls for Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Kevin Boyer, FGG Spokesperson,
Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net, +1 312-588-3713

San Francisco – 29 MAY 2009

OLYMPIC diving gold medalist Matthew Mitcham

Declares support for Gay Games
Matthew Mitcham endorses Gay Games motto

"Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™".

The Federation of Gay Games has released a video on its web site (www.gaygames.com) featuring Matthew Mitcham in a 60 second message, encouraging everyone to participate in the Gay Games.

The video features gold-medal winner Mitcham diving followed by a personal, poolside message: “You don’t have to be an Olympian to participate in the Gay Games. The motto of the Federation of Gay Games is participation, inclusion, and personal best. Everyone can play in sport and culture. Why not be part of it?” A second video has been launched on the 2010 Cologne Gay Games web site (www.games-cologne.com) with Matthew Mitcham encouraging participation in the 2010 Gay Games.

Matthew Mitcham won the gold medal in men’s platform diving at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, scoring the highest marks ever in platform diving. Matthew Mitcham is 21 years old, resides in Sydney, Australia, and continues competing in diving events while preparing for the 2012 Olympics. Mitcham was one of two “Out” (openly gay) male athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

Federation of Gay Games Marketing Officer, Doug Litwin, has a very positive response to these videos. “Matthew clearly recognizes the life-changing impact that comes from participating in a large international event. Just as he made history and opened millions of eyes on the diving platform in Beijing, he realizes that the many thousands who have participated in the Gay Games have also had their eyes opened as part of their own life-changing experience. As we've been saying for years... ‘Gay Games Change The World.’”

Federation of Gay Games VP of External Affairs, Kate Rowe (Sydney), produced the video with Matthew Mitcham and can be contacted for Australian support. Sponsorship inquiries for Matthew Mitcham can also be directed through Ms. Rowe (krowe@gaygames.org). Kate commented about Mitcham. “Despite his heavy training commitments for the 2012 Olympics, Matthew wanted to give something to the global Gay and Lesbian sporting community by offering to endorse the Federation of Gay Games and the 2010 Cologne Gay Games with his appearance in this video.” Rowe added “We really appreciate Matthew’s generosity in participating freely, and found it a joy to work with him. Matthew’s enthusiasm for the Gay Games is clearly evident. In fact, he hopes to participate himself sometime in the future.”

The Federation of Gay Games would like to acknowledge Mat Webster and Dion Wilton from Metro Screen, Sydney, Australia, who also gave freely of their time to film and edit the video.

*******
The eighth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cologne, Germany from 31 July-7 August 2010. Chicago’s seventh Gay Games in July 2006 drew 11,700 participants.

For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany, visit www.games-cologne.com or phone +49 221 925 2607.

For information about or to sponsor the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.org.
Kate Rowe, (FGG VP of External Affairs) can be contacted at krowe@gaygames.org.

-30-

"Building Bridges 3" report

In March 2009, the FGG participated in the "Building Bridges 3" conference organized by Homosport NL, in conjunction with the EGLSF annual general assembly.

Here is the report from that conference.

Powerpoints from the various sessions can be downloaded here.

TIP starts tomorrow: last-minute look at Paris Aquatique synchronized swimmers as they train

A video from Yagg, the media partner of the TIP, where you'll find more info on this video:

Yagg au TIP, épisode 1: natation synchronisée
par yaggvideo

For non-Francophones, some highlights: a woman swimmer explains that competing in mixed pairs offers more artistic opportunities than competing in same-sex pairs. An obstacle to the growth of men's synchronized swimming is the refusal of FINA and the IOC to accept male synchronized swimmers. Many national federations do accept them, and TIP synchronized swimming for men, women, and mixed groups, will be judged by officials from the French national swimming federation.

La soirée TIP, ça déménage !

The TIP party this Saturday has had a last-minute change in venue. Instead of Club Med World, it will take place at the fabulous Mix Club, at Montparnasse in the 15th (24 rue de l'Arrivée, Métro Montparnasse-Bienvenue).

Gay referee to continue legal battle

From Hurriyet Daily News:

ISTANBUL - After days of debate on his future career in football, the referee who had to quit his job due to his sexual orientation appeared on television Saturday and revealed his name for the first time.

Dinçdağ was forced to leave his job because he had been excused from his compulsory military service on account of his homosexuality, which was documented in a medical report. According to the sport's regulations, anyone who fails to complete his military service for health reasons is unfit to perform as a referee.

"Now a really difficult period has started for my family, but it has always been difficult for me," said Dinçdağ, 33, who appealed to colleagues who have been discriminated against as he was.

"Please stand tall against the unfairness against you, whenever something wrong is happening," he said. "Say that it is wrong. Say what is right for you."

Annual Meeting 2009 website launched, mystery revealed!

It's the Wolkenburg center, home of the FGG 2009 Annual Meeting. More information about the Annual Meeting and Gay Games IX site selection here.

The mystery will soon be revealed!

Real Men DO Participate in Synchronized Swimming

A press release from the Federation of Gay Games:

San Francisco – 20 MAY 2009 - Recent written articles [see Der Spiegel] and radio interviews about men and synchronized swimming have given the indication that there are no male synchronized swimmers in international competitions. This is not accurate: men compete in synchronized swimming at major events such as the quadrennial Gay Games events and the IGLA (International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics) annual competition. For over 25 years, LGBT sport has welcomed all people to participate, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

The Federation of Gay Games is the organizing body that selects the host Gay Games city and manages the strategic planning of future Gay Games events. The Gay Games is a well-established international competition, which began in 1982, and currently has over 12,000 participants. The eighth edition of the Gay Games will take place in Cologne, Germany, in 2010.

The Gay Games has led the way before in gender equality in sport, with same sex pair’s competitions in figure skating and bodybuilding. In addition, women began competing in Gay Games wrestling events well before women's wrestling became an Olympic sport. And of course, having mixed gender teams in synchronized swimming has never been an issue for the Gay Games.

LGBT aquatics, including synchronized swimming, are organized by IGLA, a member of the FGG. Since 2002 at the Gay Games VI in Sydney, Australia, IGLA has been the governing body responsible for sanctioning the rules for swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and diving at the Gay Games, ensuring the highest quality aquatic events possible.

For a complete list of all Gay Games synchronized swimming medalists during the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, including 13 male competitors, visit the Gay Games Chicago website.

UK national LGBT sports summit

The 2nd National Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Sports Summit is to be held in Brighton on 13 June 2009. The event welcomes representatives of LGBT sports organisations, as well as representatives from National Governing Bodies, to set the national agenda for LGBT sports development in the UK.

The first National LGBT Sports Summit [report], which was held in 2008 and was attended by over fifty delegates, launched a Steering Group for a National Network of LGBT sports organisations. It is this Steering Group, which is delivering the 2009 Summit with the support of Pride Sports; the UK’s only LGBT Sports Development organisation (www.pridesports.org).

Louise Englefield, Director of Pride Sports says: “The Summit provides a unique opportunity for National Governing Bodies to engage directly with the LGBT sports community. As the UK’s representative on the board of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF), I feel it is imperative that we have a robust UK strategy that contributes meaningfully to the global LGBT sports development agenda.”

This year, the Summit will be an Open Space Event, bringing together LGBT and mainstream sports organisers from around the UK to create an interesting and productive, action-oriented event. 'Open Space' empowers and challenges every participant to engage in setting the agenda for the summit and encourages lively and engaging dialogues on subjects delegates themselves identify as important.

Feedback from last year’s Summit includes the following:


Sarah Williams, Equality and Diversity manager from the Rugby Football League: “It was an opportunity to network with other NGBs and to hear directly from the LGB community about their needs, barriers to participation and how we can all work together.”


Elias Devries, Tennis London (organisers of the UK’s largest LGBT tennis tournament): "It was inspirational being around my fellow sports groups and the summit got us all thinking about how best to share resources and work together. Assuming there is a major follow up of action points, it will make a big difference for LGBT sports in this country"

The Summit is free to all delegates, but places are limited. To register your interest and reserve a place, please email summit@pridesports.org.

NAGVA volleyball championships

First pics of Games Cologne/FGG booth at NAGVA!

iPRiDE gay pride parade - a part of Tel Aviv’s 100th anniversary celebrations

Through ILGA, the Federation of Gay Games is in communication with StandWithUs - an international, non-profit organization that promotes a better understanding of Israel, through examination of diverse issues. iPRiDE is an Israeli project, under the auspices of StandWithUs, that gives Israeli students the opportunity to be active in areas that are close to their hearts, and to promote social activism on various levels.

As part of Tel Aviv’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the annual gay pride parade is the main event of Tel Aviv’s “pride month”. iPRiDE will take place between June 10th and June 14th, 2009. During that time participants will have the opportunity to meet the most influential opinion shapers in the Israeli GLBT community, including representatives of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli gay cultural icons, representatives of the legal system, and others. I fondly remember picking up a handsome young hitchhiker who was a member of the IDF when I was in Israel. But for his Uzi, some sparks would certainly have flown.

For more details and registration please visit iPRiDE. Follow iPRiDE on Twitter. Or you can contact Ohad Salmon with any questions: ohads@ipride-tlv.org. We wish them a very happy iPRiDE!

Details on OurGroup panel discussion at Team Philly Sports Week

Thanks to FGG member Team Philadelphia for offering this event!

If you're in or near Philadelphia, come support these young athletes.

Our Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support the athletic community, will be opening Team Philadelphia’s SportsWeek on June 5th 2009 with a panel discussion focusing on the current environment for LGBT student-athletes at universities nationwide. The attitudes toward LGBT individuals in general society versus attitudes toward the same individuals within the athletic community show a huge discrepancy with the athletic community’s views lagging about ten years behind that of the general population. The group of current and former studentathletes along with their advisory board of the top some of the top scholars in the field, are determined to merge that gap. Members of the Our Group board will discuss current challenges within the athletic community while telling their own personal stories ranging from struggle to triumph and acceptance and focusing on the importance of action within LGBT community as well as support within the athletic community.

Date: June 5, 2009
Time: 7-9 PM
Event Title: Homophobia in Sports Panel Discussion
Description: Our Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for the athletic community, will be opening Team Philadelphia’s SportsWeek on June 5th 2009 with a panel discussion focusing on the current environment for LGBT student-athletes at universities nationwide.
Location: Carriage House, 3907 Spruce Street, Philadelphia
Cost: FREE
Contact: Adelina Santiago