NEW YORK (AP) – Jumping, gliding, spinning at the chance – however you want to describe it in skating terms, Rudy Galindo is thrilled to join the Gay Games ambassadors in support of the quadrennial GLBT sports event, now more than 20 years old.

Galindo will also serve as Honorary Figure Skating Chair for Chicago’s Gay Games VII, taking place July 15-22, 2006.

“I’ve heard about the Gay Games for years and cannot wait to be part of my first one in Chicago” Galindo said. “So much of what the Gay Games promotes about being out and open in the sports world is exactly how I have lived my amateur and professional skating career.”

In 1996 at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Galindo burst from several champion pair skating years with partner Kristi Yamaguchi and lesser placements as a soloist to win the men’s gold medal – a victory all the sweeter as he upset two previous winners, and it took place in his hometown of San Jose. He proved the performance wasn’t a fluke by going on to earn a bronze medal at the World Championships a few weeks later.

Since that time, Galindo has become one of the world’s most popular professional skaters, frequently earning standing ovations. His signature programs to “Send in the Clowns” and “YMCA” are fan favorites.

Part of Galindo’s appeal is the way he has combined success on the national and international levels with an unabashed freedom of expression, skating the way he wants to skate and speaking about personal matters frankly and maturely. He has been open about his sexuality since his autobiography, Icebreaker, was published in 1996 and about his HIV-positive status since being diagnosed in early 2001.

“Rudy’s message perfectly fits the vision and mission of the Gay Games, with one of the main goals being to provide a safe and welcoming environment where people living with HIV can accomplish their personal bests in their sports,” said Kathleen Webster, co-president of the Federation of Gay Games.

“I think it’s important to be up front about my HIV status and find it difficult to imagine not being out, open and proud,” Galindo said. “Staying in the closet wasn’t something I really even considered. I’m just being me.”

Galindo has an active professional career and is appearing in the “Legends on Ice” show in Long Beach. Beginning in late December, he will be on tour in “Broadway on Ice” shows and will be among the performers in the 2005 edition of “Champions on Ice”.

That is quite a busy schedule for someone who in 2003 had two total hip replacement surgeries to correct what had become chronic pain due to avascular necrosis (AVN), a debilitating condition that might have ended his career. Galindo met the challenge the way he has met other difficulties in his life, tackling it head-on and working to overcome it. He now skates pain-free and performs all of the triple jumps he used to do.

At age 35, Galindo lives in Reno, Nev. His older sister, Laura Galindo-Black, continues as his coach, a role she has played throughout his solo career. Galindo has been outspoken in his support of AIDS awareness and education, including safe sex, medical treatments and social justice matters relating to employment of HIV-positive people.

“It means a lot to me to be asked to support the Gay Games movement, knowing that the Gay Games’ key founder, Dr. Tom Waddell, died from AIDS during an era when treatments were not as advanced as today,” Galindo said. “The many organizations that make up the Federation of Gay Games are about fitness for life as much as they are about organizing competitions.”

Galindo says he looks forward to being in Chicago in July 2006 and serving as Honorary Figure Skating Chair. “My friend [former U.S. and World Champion] Debbie Thomas gave an exhibition at the 1994 Gay Games in New York. It will be a thrill to perform with other out LGBT skaters and our friends in 2006!”

Galindo joins an illustrious roster of prominent individuals as a Gay Games ambassador, including Olympic gold medal swimmer Bruce Hayes, rock musician Melissa Etheridge, former U.S. Ambassador James Hormel, photographer Tom Bianchi, former major league baseball player Billy Bean, former NFL player Esera Tuaolo, tennis legend Billie Jean King, and actors Judith Light and Amanda Bearse.