As part of its ongoing Mighty Reel series, the GLBT Historical Museum will screen excerpts from videotapes of the first two Gay Games, held in San Francisco in 1982 and 1986.
Although at times simple by today's standards, the 1982 videos were shot and directed by Zane Blaney, and showcase historical moments in athletics and the LGBTQ community, which at the time began to face the growing AIDS pandemic amid continued discrimination.
Video scenes of the opening and closing ceremonies, track, cycling marathon, women's soccer and softball, and even golf, are included in the array of digitized programs available to view on the GLBT Historical Society's online archives.
Patterned after the Olympics and now held every four years in a different city, the Games were originally called the Gay Olympics until a lawsuit filed by the International Olympic Committee just weeks before the event began forced a last-minute name change.
Some of these historic videotapes were screened as part of the Society's 2005-2006 exhibit, Sporting Life, which focused on Bay Area LGBTQ athletics, including the Gay Games. As the Guest-Curator of the exhibit, and a ten-year sports columnist for the Bay Area Reporter, I've been asked to offer commentary on the rare videos. I look forward to sharing insights and recollections of my research on this favorite topic.
Tune in on Friday, Sept. 3, at 6pm PT. Free/$5 suggested donation. ASL interpretation will be provided upon request. Please write at least three days in advance of event to [email protected]
More information's at www.glbthistory.org
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