International Gay Bowling Organization

The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) represents over 5000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members from Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. The organization was established in 1980 to provide a collaborative sporting group within the LGBT community. The organization embraces the "ideals of Unity, Fellowship and Communication".[1] By 2019, the group had more than 8,000 members.[2]

History

LGBT sports leagues began emerging in the United States in the 1970s, primarily as a social outlet for men and women who wished to fraternize with other homosexual amateur athletes in a non-bar atmosphere.

In 1989, the national tournament was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and featured 770 competitors. Stand-up comedian Judy Tenuta performed during the first night of the event.[3]

Over the past 30 years, the IGBO has dealt with topical issues such as increasing participation by women, memorializing members who have succumbed to AIDS, raising funds for charitable organizations and the ongoing pursuit of increasing membership worldwide.

The organization's participation levels younger bowlers has somewhat lowered in part due to more favorable public opinion of LGBT persons; however, many younger members have left the organization as a result of poor management from both the executive board as well as league leadership.

Structure

IGBO is a membership-based organization of member leagues, tournaments and individuals (associates). Leagues and tournaments join IGBO to network and promote their events across the organization. Individuals can become a part of IGBO by joining a member league or individually as an associate member.

IGBO conducts business through a board of elected volunteers and a series of committees. Twice annually, in November and May, IGBO conducts a conference to gather representatives from member leagues and tournaments and conduct business.

Host cities for past conferences

Host CityAnnual ConferenceMid-Year Conference
San Antonio, Texas, US 2019
Reno, Nevada, US2018
Denver, Colorado, US2000, 2007, 2018*
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US1994, 20092007, 2017
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, US2002, 2017
San Francisco, California, US1987, 2016
Albuquerque, New Mexico, US2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US2015
Omaha, Nebraska, US2015
Jacksonville, Florida, US2014
Tucson, Arizona, US20141994
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, US1982, 19921985, 1989, 2013
Tampa, Florida, US20131991
Seattle, Washington, US19842012
New York City, New York, US2012 (with Jersey City, NJ)
Rochester, New York, US2011
Toronto, Ontario, CAN1991, 20111997
Washington, DC, US1988, 19992010
Columbus, Ohio, US2001, 2010
Syracuse, New York, US2009
San Diego, California, US2003, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia, US1993, 2008
Detroit, Michigan, US1992, 2006
Kansas City, Missouri, US2006
Calgary, Alberta, CAN2005
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US20051981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1990
Fort Worth, Texas, US2004
St. Louis, Missouri, US2004
Phoenix, Arizona, US2003
Auckland, New Zealand2002
Houston, Texas, US19812001
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US2000
Honolulu, Hawaii, US1999
Los Angeles, California, US19901998
Cleveland, Ohio, US1998
Nashville, Tennessee, US1997
Orlando, Florida, US1996
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US1996
Lexington, Kentucky, US1995
Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN1995
San Antonio, Texas, US1993
Cincinnati, Ohio, US19891986
Miami, Florida, US1988
New Orleans, Louisiana, US1987
Las Vegas, Nevada, US1986
Louisville, Kentucky, US1985
Chicago, Illinois, US1983


References

  1. "Content Page – Page 10031311 – International Gay Bowling ®". Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  2. Heraux, Cedrick (2019). "Homophobia in Sports". In Kiuchi, Yuya (ed.). Playing on an Uneven Field: Essays on Exclusion and Inclusion in Sports. McFarland & Co. p. 64. ISBN 9781476635484.
  3. Rodriguez, Patricia (25 May 1989). "Comic's appearance kicks of gay bowlers' tourney". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 50. Retrieved 27 July 2021.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.