Led by Team San Francisco, 21 of the world’s GLBT sports and culture organizations have become official Gay Games partners, joining a brand-new, innovative membership program designed to more formally link the Gay Games with the GLBT sports and culture community. A joint campaign of the Chicago hosts of the 2006 Gay Games and the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), the Partner Program gives big benefits back to organizations – large and small – that represent participants in the Gay Games VII, taking place July 15-22, 2006. Team San Francisco was given the honor of the first membership in the new program in recognition of their city’s role as the host of Gay Games I and II in 1982 and 1986. Team San Francisco is also the largest single city delegation to the Gay Games, having sent more than 1,200 athletes and artists to Sydney in 2002 for Gay Games VI. Some of the inaugural official Gay Games partners include Team France/FSGL, Gay and Lesbian Organization for Racing and Yachting, Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance, Gay and Lesbian Aquatics, International Gay and Lesbian Football Association, National Gay Basketball Association and the Women’s Sports Association (WSA).

The hallmark benefit to the Gay Games partners is access to those who have registered for the Gay Games.

“Technological advances since Gay Games VI in Sydney have made it possible for us to create communication links between registered athletes and artists and the organizations that serve their needs without violating important privacy laws and guidelines,” said Suzanne Arnold, co-chair of the Chicago Games. “This forwards the larger mission of the Gay Games, which is to foster and sustain an international LGBT sports movement. The world comes together around the Gay Games, and we can use that momentum, energy and capital to fuel growth in teams and sports across the globe.”