July 15-22, 2006

Gay Games General Information

The Federation of Gay Games ensures that the Gay Games offers participants the opportunity to express themselves openly and to experience camaraderie and validation through sport and culture.

A Brief Look Back
In 1980, Dr. Tom Waddell, a 1968 Olympic decathlete, led a group of San Francisco residents including Mark Brown and Paul Mart in conceiving the event now known as the Gay Games. Tom dreamed of a sporting event based on the philosophy that "doing one's personal best should be the paramount goal in any athletic endeavor."

San Francisco Arts & Athletics (SFAA) was incorporated and supervised the logistics of both Gay Games I and II. Tom Waddell lost his battle with AIDS and died in July 1987, less than a year after Gay Games II, but his legacy was assured as the inspiration for future Gay Games. The SFAA board of directors, which included Tom's widow Sara Waddell Lewinstein, took steps to enlarge its membership beyond the Bay Area and in 1989 changed its name to the Federation of Gay Games.

The Federation Today
The Federation of Gay Games perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and safeguards its founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best. An all-volunteer organisation, the Federation is made up of individuals and organisations representing four continents. Originally a board comprised solely of individual directors, the Federation today is an "organisation comprised of organisations": almost 80 percent of the board is comprised of the voting delegates from director organisations.

Site Selection — The key task of the Federation is the selection of future Gay Games sites, a process that has become increasingly competitive since it was announced in 1990 that New York would host Gay Games IV. The Federation has resolved that the Gay Games should be a financially viable community-based event, focusing on the core sports and cultural activities that the Gay Games was founded to showcase. The site selection process for the 2006 edition of the Gay Games has resumed, and groups from Chicago and Los Angeles have announced their intent to bid. A decision is expected by early March 2004. Updates will be posted periodically here at the Federation's website.

Outreach — The Federation administers funds on behalf of estates with the aim of assisting a limited number of individuals to attend each Gay Games. Board meetings have taken the Federation around the world to cities such as Atlanta, Amsterdam, Berlin, Denver, Johannesburg, Montréal, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney, Vancouver and Washington, D.C. A "Gay Games Ambassadors" program was begun in 2002 whereby prominent athletes, artists and other individuals publicize the Gay Games. The Gay Games Ambassadors include 1984 Olympic gold medal swimmer Bruce Hayes, U.S. Ambassador James Hormel, actress Judith Light, and photographer Tom Bianchi. Press releases about the Federation and the Gay Games are distributed several times a year to international media outlets. Brochures are available at this website with tips about organizing local and international sports groups.

Administration — As the Gay Games movement has grown, so has the task of keeping it going between events. The Federation consults closely with each host to pass on knowledge gained at previous Gay Games. With directors spread around the world, e-mail has become a vital organizing tool, but telephone conferences and in-person meetings are irreplaceable. The Federation, an all volunteer-board, has not yet had the resources to fund a permanent office. Legal matters, particularly trademark issues, have become increasingly complex and expensive. Committees governing sports, culture, communications, outreach and site selection always have full agendas and welcome new members with expertise and ideas.

Website — Send us your Gay Games story! You can help by sending us stories and pictures documenting your experiences in Sydney, Amsterdam, New York, Vancouver and San Francisco to info@gaygames.org. The Federation is researching historical documents eventually to provide worldwide access to Gay Games results and photos. This is one of the most eagerly awaited projects by the public. We have received the results from Sydney and they are now available online at http://www.gaygames.com/en/games/gg6/index.htm .

Sponsorship/Donations — Special arrangements can be made for sponsors wishing to pursue an ongoing relationship with the Federation. Funds may be designated for specific purposes, including support of a Gay Games host organisation. Contact the Federation's Executive Committee through info@gaygames.org. As the Federation is located in San Francisco, U.S. citizens can make tax-deductible donations.

The Tom Waddell Award — The Tom Waddell Award for Outstanding Gay Games Participation is presented by the Federation of Gay Games every four years to individuals who have demonstrated a history of outstanding service in the arts, athletics, or volunteerism. The Federation encourages nominations from all countries. Criteria include: inspiring pride through leadership qualities; devoting energy to the success of the Gay Games without vainglory; embodying the standards of commitment, selflessness and love of humanity as set by the late Dr. Tom Waddell. Further criteria can be found at http://www.gaygames.com/en/federation/committees/awards.htm.

In Memoriam
The Federation remembers with gratitude the following deceased board members of San Francisco Arts & Athletics and the Federation of Gay Games: Zohn Artman, Thierry Bettex, Bart Hopple, Lloyd Jenkins, Ron Keel, Herb King, Darrill Loberg, Peter Middendorf, Al Schaaf, Rikki Streicher, Tom Waddell, Bob Weaver, Mary C. Dunlap and Lawrence Wilson.