The Gay Games

My first experience of the Gay Games was in September 2002 when Sydney hosted them. I was involved with Sydney Spokes, a local lesbian cycling group, who hosted the cycling events. I was one of the leaders for a social ride around the eastern beaches, which was just gorgeous. I have many very fond memories of the week tens of thousands of poofs and dykes (etc) invaded Sydney to achieve their personal best, and the support shown by many and varied people of Sydney – even though the Federal Government with John Howard as Prime Minister was hostile in its silence.

The Gay Games were first held in San Francisco in 1982. They were the result of an American Olympian, Dr Tom Waddell, who dreamed of Games of genuine inclusion and of people of all walks of life genuinely being able to compete to the best of their ability. That’s really what these Games are about, and as a result the two I’ve now attended have generated incredible feelings in me. The Olympics were fun, and the achievements of those involved are amazing, but the achievements in the Gay Games are inspiring. Oh, and before you dismiss them as just “special Olympics for the Gays”, or titter at the oh-so-funny jokes about jism spitting events, world record breakers were included among the medal winners in Olympic standard sports like swimming and athletics at Köln.

I went to Köln because my friend M was competing in the Martial Arts competition. It was for her, and a bunch of new friends I now have, that I spent a day and a half at the competition.


Day one (Tuesday) was taken up first by weapons forms, then empty hands forms, where various individuals from various clubs representing various styles of martial arts demonstrated their ability at their grades. I’ve always been interested in martial arts, especially those from China (what the west call Kung Fu), but other factors of my life kept intervening in any of my attempts to find a Si Fu from whom to learn and a group with whom to train. My actual experience was limited to learning elements of Tai Kwon Do from a High School Maths teacher who was determined to equip us girls with some kind of self-defence nous. I’ve read a lot about Kung Fu, partially because of my fascination with Taoism but also research for a novel I’ve written. I was fascinated by the performances of each of the groups, and through my amateur interest had a clue, but generally my judging of those who did well – especially among the black belts – was more to do with how much they were arresting of my attention. Perhaps it was because it was just so flowing and beautiful, but the two men doing Tai Chi with swords were captivating. So was the woman from the Preying Mantis Kung Fu school in Germany who did an extraordinary kata. The Sydney team, my new friends, did not disgrace themselves in terms of medal tally.

Day two (Wednesday morning) was devoted to combat in the form of non (or minimal) contact sparring. Unfortunately, almost no one was called on the contact that did occur so some of my new friends went away sporting some very impressive bruising. It must be a residual animal thing the fascination we humans do have, if we’re being very honest, with fighting. I am being very honest when I write that while the beauty of the good performances on Tuesday meant I was far from bored, the conflict was simply more interesting to watch. Especially when I was supporting one over the other. Again, the Sydney team did not disgrace themselves, even though that didn’t translate into medals for everyone.

Of the sports, I saw some synchronised swimming practice. Okay, that’s a sport I’ve never understood, even though on an intellectual level I’ve understood the physicality of it. Well, having watched some of the practice, my understanding has become more certain. Like ballroom and ice dancing, and gymnastics, I’ll never be a fan, but I appreciate the sheer athleticism of those who do these sports. And one thing I thought while watching the French men practicing their routines, they seemed like they were having fun, which might not always be the case in the Olympic Games.

In the same venue, I saw a little bit of water polo. While we attempted to get to see some swimming (at a different venue), that was one of the few events where observers would have to pay for tickets. We did see some track and field, including a chap born in 1935 (do the maths!) running the 400 metres in a pretty respectable time. Certainly faster than any of us could manage. See. Achievement. That’s what the Gay Games are all about. We also watched some of the women’s Handball, and were amazed by just how good the Köln team were. Go here for more the history and sports that are in the competition at the Gay Games.

Of course, the Gay Games are not just about the sport. We missed all the cultural events, but did have a chat with a New Zealander chorister on his way to perform at a concert. I did sample some of the nightlife, going to the Blue Lounge on both Monday and Tuesday nights. Then on Wednesday night, M, K, S and I went to an amazing converted 1950s cinema where a German chick was performing Melissa Etheridge and other classic lesbian rock and pop songs, joined on stage by someone from LA with the news that California’s attempts to have same-sex marriage legally recognised had taken a step forward – thunderous applause! The DJ played the Taylor Daine anthem (enough, already), some Lady Ga Ga, and quite a few rather wonderful pop-dance tracks. Best bit was watching M, K and S doing synchronised kata moves to one of the songs. We had an audience. It was an utter, brilliant blast.

Köln appeared to embrace the Gay Games taking over their city for a week. Both the Games banners and the rainbow flag were flying throughout the major mainstream shopping streets, outside the Rathaus (town hall) and along the main bridge across the Rhine. Some of the posters up had some kind of graffiti scrawled on them, but that was about the only specifically anti-gay stuff of which I was aware. We had no trouble with any restaurants, shop keepers or even locals. I’m not prepared to say there was no trouble – just that I personally didn’t encounter any, and nor did any of my friends.

Because, of course, that’s one of the other points about the Gay Games. A fundamental part is about tackling discrimination and hatred. I remember being quite shocked to learn back in 2002 in Sydney that quite a few athletes from various sports (I know cycling and swimming were two) were forced into the situation of not being able to publicly support the Gay Games, let alone take part in them, because the governing bodies of their sport had pretty much adopted an anti-gay stance: if you’re Out, you’re out. I don’t know how much that has changed, but I did have that little familiar chill on my spine when I learned that an Olympic medal winner from the USA was openly partaking in the promotional events.

I hope that is progress against some pretty bizarre and petty prejudices.

The other type of chill I felt is the mixed emotions of seeing people from countries where homosexuality is either specifically or effectively a crime, or where it might be legal but the culture means murder, assault and rape are everyday occurrences for gay and trans people, and those who are perceived to be gay or trans. I feel intensely supportive of these strangers for their bravery, especially those who are open. I feel intensely sad at the precautions others have to take to just be there. That is a reminder of how much work has to be done to ensure basic human rights of safety are there for people I’ve shared a dance floor with, or who I’ve watched compete to be the best they can be – and are.

In both Sydney and Köln what I loved best was the feeling of joy everywhere. Yes, there was competition between individuals, their personal bests, world records, teams, cities, countries… but, there was also shared admiration. People would congratulate anyone and everyone who was wearing their medals, not through some awkward and patronising way, but genuine admiration of what people had achieved. People were grateful when members of other teams gave them t-shirts, caps or badges from their teams. And I knew from the Martial Artists that generally there was a buzz about gay and lesbian martial artists from Australia, Germany, England, the USA, Taiwan, etc, being able to talk to each other on a level that is just not possible in the straight competitions. I got the impression that had to do with a shared understanding from shared experiences, even though the specifics would be unique. There was not the teasing or discriminatory edge to the proceedings because every single lesbian there didn’t have to put up with crazy, irrelevant insinuations about them being less than human because they were daring to do a “man’s” sport. I got the impression people performed better because they didn’t have to hide who they were.

My new friends and I have made a pact. We’re going to go to Cleveland, Ohio, for the next Games. We’re going because the Gay Games mean a lot of different things to each one of us, I’m sure, but ultimately the Köln Games created and cemented in less than a week friendships that will endure. At least, I hope they will.