The Federation of Gay Games and the Living Artist have come together to host a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Museum of the Living Artist, part of the San Diego Art Institute, located at 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park. Proceeds from the event will go to the Athletic Scholarship fund of the Federation of Gay Games and will benefit local artists as well. The Athletic Scholarship fund helps financially challenged athletes from San Diego to attend the Gay Games, taking place in Chicago in the summer of 2006.

Musicians Sue Palmer and Kenny Ard will provide entertainment with their fabulous boogie woogie music. In addition, San Diego Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins is expected to make an appearance.

Other events at the fundraiser include a silent auction and a drawing for two airline tickets anywhere American Airlines flies in the U.S. Beer, wine, soft drinks and hors d’ouvres will be served.

Tickets are available for $35 at the door.

“I attended my first Gay Games in 2002 in Sydney,” said Eurika Otto, a San Diego Front Runner and one of the organizers of the fundraiser. “I consider it one of the best events I have ever attended. It was so empowering to walk down the street and see other like minded people walking proud. In Sydney, I met some local people on trains and it was wonderful to hear straight people telling me how their attitude toward gays and lesbians had changed because for the first time in their life they realized that we were just like them! That’s the way to change minds.”

During the dates of July 15-22, 2006, Chicago will play host to the Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival. The Games will feature 12,000 participants, competition in 30 sports, world-class athletes and artists, band and choral performances, nightly medal ceremonies, an arts festival, parties and spectacular opening and closing ceremonies featuring entertainment, pageantry and the parade of participants from more than 70 countries.

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

For more information about the scholarship fundraiser, contact Eurika Otto at (619) 602-4314 or Des Kelly at (619) 709-3288.