Aug. 23, 1982: 40 years ago, Aug 22 1982, the torch for the first Gay Games was carried [...]

40 years ago, Aug 22 1982, the torch for the first Gay Games was carried across the Golden Gate bridge into San Francisco by Sue Walker, completing a 70-day, 4,000 mile long journey from the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. Over 200 runners and cyclists helped carry the torch

A marching band, dancers, and hundreds of people cheered on Walker as she completed the journey, and a 50-car motorcade led the crowd to 18th and Castro where the torch was held in preparation for the start of the games, which opened the following weekend at Kezar Stadium

Originally dubbed the Gay Olympics, organizers of the event (including US Olympian Tom Waddell) were sued by the International Olympic Committee over use of the word, despite the fact that the “California Police Olympics” had been held since annually 1967

1,350 competitors from over 170 cities participated in the first Gay Games, and more than 10,000 people attended during the 9-day event. Opening and closing ceremonies for the event included performances by Tina Turner, Stephanie Mills, and Meg Christian singing a “Gay Anthem”

The Gay Games have continued ever since, most recently being held in Paris in 2018 where more than 10,000 participating athletes from over 90 countries competed in Gay Games X. The next event is set to be held in 2023.