SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA ( 26 July 2016 ) Following a three-month nomination and selection process, the Federation of Gay Games Board has approved seven Legacy Awards to be presented at their Annual General Assembly ( AGA ) this October in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2007, the Legacy Awards are presented annually to acknowledge the work of LGBT+ sports and culture organizations, individuals and allies in the local area where the AGA is being held, as well as those who have made significant contributions to the global LGBT+ community.
This year's award recipients include George Melichar, ( New Orleans, USA ) as Outstanding Male Volunteer; Alex Davis, ( London, UK ) as Outstanding Female Volunteer; Flying Bats Women's Soccer Club, ( Sydney, AUS ) as Outstanding Local Women's Organization; Sydney Stingers Waterpolo for Outstanding Local Organization; Caroline Symons, PhD, ( Melbourne, AUS ) for Social Justice; and Danielle Warby and Matthew Mitcham, both of Sydney, AUS as Local Heroes.
Warby has been instrumental with the development of the Flying Bats for the past two decades and in developing and promoting women's sports - primarily in New South Wales. Besides having the distinction for being the first openly gay gold medalist in the Olympic Games for his outstanding performance on the 10-metre Platform Diving competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Mitcham has used his celebrity for the sake of the LGBT+ community as well as HIV/AIDS organizations and events.
In addition to the seven Legacy Awards, the FGG will present Medals of Commendation to Bev Lange and the late Peter Bailey for their role as Co-Presidents of Gay Games VI: Sydney 2002; Craig Watson, Event Manager for the newly-launched Proud to Play sports festival in Auckland New Zealand; and Ivan Yap ( Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ), lead organiser of the Straits Games, a multisport festival in southeast Asia celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
The FGG will also give Special Recognition to Liu Shi of Beijing and Hua Qui of Paris. Liu was a silver medalist at Gay Games 9 in 2014 while Hua assists Paris 2018 in its preparations for Gay Games 10. Both men helped launch the FGG International Development Committee's inaugural outreach to the People's Republic of China during June 2016 Pride Month.
The Legacy Awards will be presented during a gala dinner on Monday 24 October 2016 hosted by Australian comedienne and social activist, Julie McCrossin and FGG Officer of Ceremonies Shamey Cramer. Retired Justice of the Australian High Court and the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Right Honourable Michael Kirby, AC, CMG, will be the keynote speaker. Justice Kirby's keynote address at the Sydney 2002 Gay Games VI Opening Ceremonies is still considered one of the great orations on LGBT+ rights in Australian history.
Held in partnership with the Sydney sports diversity group, Team Sydney, the AGA brings together delegates from its full members, associate members and board members to discuss the activities of the past year, plan future activities and elect the FGG board members for the next year. The Board of Directors for Paris 2018, host city of Gay Games 10, will also be present to discuss their plans for the 2018 event. All AGA attendees are encouraged to book travel and accommodations for the October 2016 event. Complete 2016 AGA information is available at gaygames.org .
About the 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 www.Paris2018.com for more information.
About Team Sydney
Team Sydney Incorporated is a not-for-profit community body staffed by volunteers and a founder member of the Federation of Gay Games. It promotes sport, fitness and healthy lifestyles among Sydney's inclusive community. We help connect and promote over thirty member organisations, representing several thousand individual sportspeople. Team Sydney member organisations are non-discriminatory and welcome the participation of all sportspeople. Visit teamsydney.org .au 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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