International Gay Bowling Organization

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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.

How IGBO Works[]

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 City Annual Conference Mid-Year Conference
Detroit, Michigan, USA 2019
San Antonio, Texas, USA 2019
Reno, Nevada, USA 2018
Denver, Colorado, USA 2000, 2007, 2018*
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA 1994, 2009 2007, 2017
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA 2002, 2017
San Francisco, California, USA 1987, 2016
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 2015
Omaha, Nebraska, USA 2015
Jacksonville, Florida, USA 2014
Tucson, Arizona, USA 2014 1994
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, USA 1982, 1992 1985, 1989, 2013
Tampa, Florida, USA 2013 1991
Seattle, Washington, USA 1984 2012
New York City, New York, USA 2012 (with Jersey City, NJ)
Rochester, New York, USA 2011
Toronto, Ontario, CAN 1991, 2011 1997
Washington, DC, USA 1988, 1999 2010
Columbus, Ohio, USA 2001, 2010
Syracuse, New York, USA 2009
San Diego, California, USA 2003, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia, USA 1993, 2008
Detroit, Michigan, USA 1992, 2006
Kansas City, Missouri, USA 2006
Calgary, Alberta, CAN 2005
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA 2005 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1990
Fort Worth, Texas, USA 2004
St. Louis, Missouri, USA 2004
Phoenix, Arizona, USA 2003
Auckland, New Zealand 2002
Houston, Texas, USA 1981 2001
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 2000
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 1999
Los Angeles, California, USA 1990 1998
Cleveland, Ohio, USA 1998
Nashville, Tennessee, USA 1997
Orlando, Florida, USA 1996
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 1996
Lexington, Kentucky, USA 1995
Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN 1995
San Antonio, Texas, USA 1993
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 1989 1986
Miami, Florida, USA 1988
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 1987
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 1986
Louisville, Kentucky, USA 1985
Chicago, Illinois, USA 1983

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.

External links[]


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