The GAY GAMES

Doctor Tom Waddell, a decathlon competitor at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, conceived this athletic event as an opportunity for gay people to demonstrate to the world that their skills and competitive spirits in sports parallel those of the rest of humanity and to show how "normal" gays tend to be in comparison to the stereotypes. He wanted to replace the obsession to win at all costs with the positive joys of simple participation. These games would require no minimum ability for participation. Winning would be defined as achieving one's personal best. Competition would not stress nationalism or age and men and women would compete on an equal basis. Tom Waddell felt Nationalism was a disunifying concept, so athletes were encouraged to represent their city rather than their country.

A group called San Francisco Arts and Athletics (SFAA) was formed. Two years were spent in the planning of this event which was to be called GAY OLYMPIC GAMES. Opening ceremonies were planned for August 28, 1982 and TINA TURNER agreed to perform. Three weeks before the opening, the United States Olympic Committee obtained an injunction in federal court prohibiting the use of the word "Olympic". This despite the fact that the USOC had ignored the use of the ancient word by Special Olympics, Police Olympics, Nude Olympics, Dog Olympics, and many others.

This created chaos and near collapse as the organizing committee scrambled to delete every use of the sacred word in advertising, merchandising, every activity, and every printed page. Somehow, the committee completed the Herculean task and the Opening Ceremonies of the GAY GAMES were held at Kezar Stadium (once the home of the 49er's football team, and now no longer in existence) in San Francisco on schedule. The Master of Ceremonies was Armistead Maupin, author of "Tales of the City".

SFAA appealed the Federal Court's injunction and a legal battle raged for two years. It was finally settled by the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision in favor of the USOC in March, 1987. The still-vindictive USOC arranged to have legal fees of $92,000 levied against Tom Waddell's residence, despite the fact he was fighting for his life against AIDS.

"However, by 1993 the USOC had changed its tune, waiving the legal fees against Tom Waddell's estate and inviting the Federation's Executive Committee to meet with the USOC in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to 'discuss matters of mutual interest.' A break through in communication was established and a rapprochement is now in place. In 1994, the USOC awarded then out-of-the-closet Olympic Championship diver Greg Louganis its highest award. In Greg's acceptance speech he dedicated the award to Tom Waddell and implored the USOC not to have Olympic volleyball played in homophobic Cobb County, Georgia, as part of the 1996 Olympic Games. It worked. In 1994 the USOC prominently listed Gay Games IV in its annual handbook under noteworthy events. The Gay Games can and do make a difference!"

It was never the intention of the SFAA to make the Gay Games entirely a San Francisco event. They were kept here a second time in order to refine them and clearly establish their philosophy. Having four years to plan the event, a much more diverse and entertaining set of events was scheduled by the SFAA. "Procession of the Arts", a series of cultural events complementing Gay Games II, was added. This included concerts, exhibits, plays, conferences, films, dances, cabarets, and an old-fashioned Circus Parade! The events promoting the talents and creativity of the Lesbian/Gay community, spanned the entire month of August.

In 1982, AIDS was virtually unknown. But by 1986, it was an ominous and very scary black cloud that threatened the Gay community. Gay Games II was a psychological boost as it demonstrated our strength, spirit, and unity. Tom Waddell was diagnosed with pneumocystis pneumonia 4 weeks before the start of the games, but competed in Track & Field and won a gold medal for Javelin.

Dianne Feinstein, Mayor of San Francisco, welcomed the crowd at the Opening Ceremonies with:

"I am so pleased to be here! Welcome to San Francisco and these Gay Games. They are very important, and don't let anybody tell you they are not. One of the things it has been a privilege for me to see is the spirit and talent that resides in this community - special spirit, special talent, a coming together in times of trial with the idea that "We Shall Overcome." What's important is that you are here; What's important is that you are good; What's important is that you are coming together from all over the world in peace and love to demonstrate to all who are willing to see that you are energetic, enthusiastic, and that you have much to give to this needy world."

At the Closing Ceremonies, Tom Waddell announced that the site chosen for Gay Games III was Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was a very emotional moment for many of us in the stands because we knew that Tom was not likely to be with us in Vancouver.

Doctor Tom Waddell, founder of the Gay Games, died of AIDS on July 11, 1987.

In 1989 the SFAA disbanded and in its place the Federation of Gay Games was born just 5 months before the Vancouver Games. The Federation is the governing organization of the Gay Games and is charged with promoting and protecting the ideals of the games. Unlike the Olympics which are exclusive, the Gay Games include competitors with every level of ability from record setter to recreational.

The Gay Games grew immensely in both size and stature in the four short years since San Francisco. Vancouver, a very beautiful and friendly city, rose to the occasion. A portion of this effort was funded by the Canadian Federal Government. Vancouver's City Government and its police department were very supportive. Athletes were allowed free use of public transportation! Thousands of local people volunteered their help and Gay Games III became the largest volunteer effort in Vancouver's history. Opening and Closing Ceremonies and many social events were held in public buildings remaining from Vancouver's Expo. The people of Vancouver generously opened their city and their hearts and made an excellent impression on the visitors to Gay Games. The event was a tremendous opportunity for gays and lesbians to be seen in the public eye in a wholesome atmosphere that emphasizes fun and diversity, both cultural and athletic. It was in Vancouver that the Gay Games became Olympian in magnitude and rose to the stature of a world-class event!

It's true. More athletes competed in Gay Games IV than any other event including the Olympics! The games were held in June in New York City instead of August because 1994 was the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which occurred in Greenwich Village in June of 1969. The riots were the result of corruption and intolerance in the NYPD and were sparked by a routine police raid on the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. Rioting continued for three days. Stonewall is considered by many to be the beginning of the Gay Liberation movement in America.

The organizers of Gay Games IV chose to have the Games coincide with the Stonewall celebration. The games were held during the last week of June, 1994. A capacity crowd of 55,000 people attended the Closing Ceremonies on Saturday,June 25 at Yankee Stadium, a historic shrine in the world of heterosexual sports. The parade of athletes into the stadium lasted nearly 2 hours!

The Stonewall "March on the United Nations" took place the following morning. At the last minute the route of the march was changed and partly due to defiance and partly due to confusion, there were two marches; one up Fifth Avenue and one up First avenue. They converged near the entrance to Central Park. It was a joyous gathering on a beautiful summer Sunday afternoon in Manhattan. It took until late afternoon for the final marchers to reach the celebration site. One highlight of the march was a Rainbow Flag one-mile long! (That's 1.6 Kilometers.) The headline entertainer at the Central Park celebration was Liza Minnelli.

For one long eight-day week Manhattan was inundated with Gays, Lesbians, and their friends (which includes but is in no way limited to: 'heterosexual', 'bisexual', 'trisexual', 'transsexual', 'homosexual children of heterosexual parents', 'transgendered', 'transgendering', 'bicoastal', 'queer', 'fag', 'drag queen', and, of course, the ubiquitous 'questioning'!). I hope I didn't leave anyone out! From dawn to dawn, every happening, every restaurant, every subway train, everything was predominantly gay! And the games were played, and records were broken, and medals were won. Tears of pride and joy were shed. Friendships were made, spirits raised, eyes opened, and hopes renewed! Once again the Gay Games worked their magic in half-a-million different ways!

"Friendship Through Culture and Sports" is the motto of Gay Games V held on the first eight days of August 1998 in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. This was the first time Gay Games was held outside of North America. They have proven to be immensely popular and they reap a fortune in good-will and understanding. Amsterdam with all of its wonderful qualities did much to increase the stature of the games and the gay community as well.

Gay Games V received enthusiastic financial support from the city of Amsterdam and the government of the Netherlands. In fact, mid-week, when a financial crisis seemed to be developing, the City provided a financial guarantee of up to 5-million Guilders ($2.5-million) if needed. Major corporate sponsors included KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Speedo, Avis, Rolling Rock, Bacardi, Kodak, and Levi Strauss.

August 1, 1998 was anything but a normal saturday in Amsterdam. It was the culmination of four years of planning by a core group of 62 dedicated workers. It was the first of eight days of community service for 3842 generous volunteer "FRIENDS". It was the beginning of a week of opportunities for 15,000 participants to strive to achieve their personal best. Finally, it was a day when the charming citizens of Amsterdam opened their sparkling city and their warm hearts to host the 250,000 visitors who gathered to celebrate the strength, beauty, and diversity of the gay community.

Opening and closing ceremonies were held in the beautiful new 50,000 seat ArenA. The Mayor, Mr. Schelto Patijn, speaking on behalf of the people of Amsterdam, welcomed everyone with glowing praise and encouragement and thanked us warmly for coming

The 30 athletic events and a large variety of cultural programs were held at locations throughout the City, but the focal point was The MUSIEKTHEATER, Amsterdam's concert hall, which was transformed into FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE. Here, one could meet friends for lunch or drinks, cruise, buy event tickets and merchandise, volunteer to help out, check out the posted results of various events, wander through the halls and view the MEGA-POSTERS which changed daily, pick up a copy of the free newspaper, THE DAILY FRIENDSHIP, enjoy free live entertainment, or simply sit and watch the boats pass by on the canal.

In the evening, the focus shifted to the Dam (in front of the Royal Palace) in the City center. Here, a huge temporary stage and bleachers converted the square into an outdoor concert hall; the best show in town, free, nightly! There was also a free outdoor film festival in Vondel Park. Included among the cultural events was an international festival of lesbian and gay choirs featuring more than 2,000 singers. There were so many cultural events being offered, that if they had been presented in sequence it would have taken months to view them all. In adddition, all the major museums mounted exhibits with themes which complemented the theme of the week, "FRIENDSHIP THROUGH CULTURE AND SPORTS."

For eight electric days and nights, Amsterdam was crammed with all kinds of people; fat, skinny, old, young, tall, and short. They had one thing in common- They were all beautiful! There is no doubt - the Gay Games can change the world!

On November 13, 1997, The Federation of Gay Games, meeting in Denver, chose SYDNEY AUSTRALIA to be the host for the 2002 Gay Games VI. Other cities that bid for the Games are Toronto, Montreal, Dallas, and Long Beach.

Gay Games Sydney will be held in November, 2002. The slogan is:

"UNDER NEW SKIES"

14,000 people are expected to participate in Gay Games VI. Registration began on November 1, 2001 and as of May 2002, over 9200 people from 49 countries have registered to participate in the events. The organizers are thrilled with the response and Gay Games fever is spreading through Sydney. 31 Sporting and 11 Cultural Events are planned. Some of the sports have already reached capacity. Registration ends on July 31, 2002. Gay Games is non-discriminatory and is open to anyone over 18. Participating and achieving one's personal best are the most important aspect of Gay Games.

A Gay Games Information and Registration Center is open at 92 Oxford Street, the social center of Sydney's gay community. Sydney is a beautiful, sophisticated, exciting city with a large and diverse gay community. October and November are Springtime in Australia and the weather should be ideal for the Games.

Gay Games VII

will be held in North America in the year 2006. Four Cities; Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Montreal have bid to host the seventh of the Gay Games. The Board of the Federation of Gay Games chose the winning City by vote at their 2001 Annual Meeting and it will be officially announced in Sydney at the closing of Gay Games VI. Unofficially, rumor has it that Montreal will host Gay Games VII.

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