SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA ( 03 MARCH 2016 ) — On Sunday 28 February, following seven years of ongoing negotiations, the Federation of Gay Games Board of Directors voted to end further discussions with Gay & Lesbian International Sport Association ( GLISA ) to consider creating a new unified organization to present a singular quadrennial global LGBT+ sports, culture and human rights event.

The FGG released a statement on its website, Article Link Here , signed by co-presidents Joanie Evans of London, UK and Kurt Dahl of Chicago, USA. In it, the Federation Board explains its decision and its hope that GLISA and the Gay Games can remain engaged moving forward.

According to Evans, "The Federation and GLISA have developed a very cordial, positive working relationship over the past four years, which made this decision difficult. But given the due diligence we underwent, we concluded such a venture would be 'High Risk.' We could not justify the major investment required to launch a new organization now. Doing so would require valuable financial and human resources that could better be spent helping Gay Games 10: Paris 2018 be the best Gay Games ever."

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The Federation remains open to continue its work with GLISA. "For more than nine years, the Federation has offered GLISA an open invitation to become a Member Organization in our General Assembly," stated Dahl. "There are many other ways we can support our shared goals to create opportunities for LGBT+ athletes, artists and advocates around the world, too."

Gay Games 10 will take place in Paris 04-12 August 2018. Registration opens later this year. Further information can be found at https:// Article Link Here . GLISA will oversee its North America OutGames in St. Louis this May, a World OutGames in Miami in 2017, and another North America OutGames in 2020.

About the Federation of Gay Games

Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™, since 1982 the Gay Games have empowered thousands of LGBT athletes and artists through sport, culture, and fellowship. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco ( 1986 ), Vancouver ( 1990 ), New York ( 1994 ), Amsterdam ( 1998 ), Sydney ( 2002 ), Chicago ( 2006 ), Cologne ( 2010 ), and Cleveland+Akron ( 2014 ). Gay Games 10 will be held in Paris 2018. Visit Article Link Here for more information.

"Gay Games," "Federation of Gay Games," the interlocking circles device, and the phrase "Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best" are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany, and Australia.

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