50 years in 50 weeks: 1990, Gay Games III

  • by BAR staff
  • Wednesday August 18, 2021
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Photo: Courtesy B.A.R. Archive
Photo: Courtesy B.A.R. Archive

After the first two Gay Games were held in their birthplace of San Francisco, the 1990 event went international and was held in Vancouver, British Columbia. Freelance writer Mary Richards went to Vancouver and reported in our August 9, 1990 issue that "Gay Games III is pure magic." Reporter Karl Bruce Knapper observed: "Whatever the opening ceremonies of Gay Games III lacked in polish and sophisticated professionalism, they more than made up for in gay and lesbian pride, spirit, and heartfelt emotion." The Gay Games have continued over the years, held both in the U.S. and overseas. The 2022 games are scheduled to be held in Hong Kong, the first time they will be staged in Asia. But organizers there face many questions as the communist government in Beijing continues its crackdown in the semi-autonomous Chinese province.

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