Gay Games at 25

This year is the 25th anniversary of the Gay Games. Yep, in 1982 a few thousand people marched proudly into Kezar Stadium for the first international multisport event of its kind.

To celebrate, organizers and board members of the Federation of Gay Games will have a big party, an exhibit at the SF Public Library, and today, had a reception at the new restaurant Farina.

Beef curtains? Nope, cascading prosciutto, which, along with the other nibbly things and raspberry champagne, were delish! The owners of the sparklingly clean and brightly lit new Italian eatery were on hand. The space is a former cookie bakery on 18th St. between Guerrero and Dearborn; highly recommended for a great dining experience!

Several Gay Games luminaries were on hand; reps for Mark Leno and Carole Migden gave out honorary certificates (I still haven't framed mine from Assemblyman Leno for doing the Sporting Life exhibit. Shame on moi!) Supervisor Bevan Dufty, an honorary co-chair of the events, received a framed poster from Gay Games II. He's been a member of FrontRunners for as long as the Games have been around!

I practically blushed when Bevan heaped praise on the exhibit I curated; but more important, it reflected the incredible impact the FGG and the Games have had on our communities and the world.

The Gay Games 25th Anniversary Celebrations take place October 27 at the Mission Bay Conference Center; a big dinner is planned. Tickets are $150.

On October 28, from 12pm-4pm, a community day is scheduled at Collingwood Park.

And at the SFPL's Hormel Center, Rose Mary Mitchell, a Tom Waddell Cup Award nominee and participant in the original first Games, will be putting together a new sports exhibit focusing on the Gay Games and the FGG, with another stalwart Gay Games veteran Doug Litwin. And yes, I'll be helping out - a little!

To help out, buy tickets, and find out more, visit www.gaygames.org/25