40 YEARS TO CELEBRATE
In 1990 Vancouver hosted Gay Games III and the community came together to celebrate through 27 different sporting and community cultural events that included music, comedy, theatre, visual arts, literature and dance. The estimated attendance was 7,300 individuals including their support and loved ones from 30 different countries and was considered the largest sports and cultural event in 1990.
In 2030 Vancouver will celebrate 40 years since this successful global event was hosted by the City of Vancouver and we now pose the challenge to welcome back the Federation of Gay Games to Greater Vancouver area for a global celebration and reunion.
In the past two decades, our community has grown stronger and become more diverse in support of the two spirited communities of the Greater Vancouver Area. It is within our mission statement to work with and develop sporting & cultural programs that will recognize and celebrate the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Since the start of this project in summer 2022, there has been a natural momentum of interest and support in bringing back the Federation of Gay Games to Vancouver to celebrate 40 years of achievement and growth.
BEING OF PART YOUR COMMUNITY
Over the past 30 years, Vancouver has grown into a culturally diverse region that has a proud history with the 2-Spirited communities and we believe the time has come to challenge ourselves to do better,
to include more segments of our community and to show that not only is Vancouver an Olympic & FIFA World Cup destination,
and as a LGBTTQQ2AAP+ inclusive sporting destination
we continue to welcome the world back.
In 1990 Vancouver hosted Gay Games III and the community
came together to celebrate through 27 different sporting and community cultural events that included music, comedy, theatre, visual arts, literature and dance.
SPORTS TEAMS AND YOUR SUPPORT
Individuals wanting to assist are welcome to join us on a short term basis or join us for the long haul as this process between submitting the bid, building support, creating community events and launching an event that has the potential of inviting between 10,000 to 18,000 participants and their support network will take many hands.
We are currently reaching out to LGBTQ2iA+ sports groups and their boards or leadership asking for letters of support in building the "BID BOOK" that will be submitted in spring 2024.
If you're a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, 2-spirited, Intersexed, Ally, A-sexual or Pansexual individual or organization that is involved in any one of the proposed sporting activities to be held in 2030, then we want to hear from you and work with you.
The following list is the traditional spots tournaments or events
that take place in the past 11 Gay Games gatherings:
Aquatics – Diving* , Aquatics – Open Water Swim,
Aquatics – Swimming*' Aquatics – Synchronized Swimming*,
Aquatics – Water Polo*, Athletics – 5K and 10K Road Races,
Athletics – Marathon/Half Marathon, Athletics – Track and Field,
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cheer,
Cycling – Mountain Bike, Cycling – Road Races**,
DanceSport, Figure Skating, Golf, Martial Arts, Powerlifting,
Rowing, Soccer (Football), Softball, Squash, Table Tennis
Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Wrestling
in addition host tournaments or
challenges that have also been included in the last 40 years:
Beach Volleyball, Billiards, Bodybuilding,
Bridge, Chess, Darts, Dodgeball, Dragon Boating,
eSport, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Handball (Team),
Ice Hockey, In-Line Speed Skating, Judo,
Netball, Racquetball, Rugby (Touch), Rugby (Union),
Sailing, Sport Climbing, Petanque, Roller Derby,
Trail Running, Rugby 7’s (New)
the cultural experience
The Gay Games are a sports and cultural event.
The official cultural program has clear requirements as to content and scale.
"Core Events"
Choral Festival, Band Festival, Visual Arts Event or Exhibit, International Rainbow Memorial Run, Memorial Quilt Exhibition.
Also to be considered will be Professional, non-participatory entertainment and is ancillary to the Cultural Program components.
Yes, we want an all inclusive cross representation in all cultural exhibitions, activities, performances, concerts and visual arts. If your interested in working with the "BID " committee in developing or including your program, we invite to either join us at an up coming meeting or reach out to one of the committee members to arrange a personal meeting to review your inclusion and participation.
"A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever."
Mary Lou Retton
