Gay Games

The Gay Games is a popular sporting and cultural event hosted by the gay and lesbian community. They were started in San Francisco in 1982, the brainchild of Tom Waddell, whose goals were to promote the spirit of inclusion and participation, and the pursuit of personal best into a sporting event:

Related Topics:
Sporting - Gay and lesbian community - San Francisco - 1982 - Tom Waddell

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:The purpose of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is to foster and augment the self-respect of lesbians and gay men throughout the world and to engender respect and understanding from the nongay world, primarily through an organized international participatory athletic and cultural event held every four years, and commonly known as the Gay Games.

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The Gay Games were formerly known as the Gay Olympics, but a lawsuit by the International Olympic Committee forced the name change. The IOC has allowed other groups to use the name "Olympics", and some advocates have accused it of discrimination (see also homophobia).

Related Topics:
International Olympic Committee - Homophobia

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The Gay Games are open to all who wish to participate, without regard to sexual orientation. There are no qualifying standards to compete in the Gay Games.

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The Gay Games bring together athletes and artists from all over the world, many from countries where homosexuality remains illegal and hidden.

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The European equivalent to the Gay Games is called Eurogames.

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