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The Gay Games were formerly known as the Gay Olympics, but a lawsuit by the International Olympic Committee forced the name change. The IOC has allowed other groups to use the name "Olympics", and some advocates have accused it of discrimination (see also homophobia).
The Gay Games are open to all who wish to participate, without regard to sexual orientation. There are no qualifying standards to compete in the Gay Games.
The Gay Games bring together athletes and artists from all over the world, many from countries where homosexuality remains illegal and hidden.
Gay Games V in Amsterdam was the largest sporting event in history, with over 14,000 participants taking part in over 30 sports and cultural events.
The European equivalent to the Gay Games is called Eurogames.
| Name | Location | Opening | Participants |
| Gay Games I - Challenge '82 | San Francisco, USA | August 28, 1982 | 1 600 |
| Gay Games II - Triumph '86 | San Francisco, USA | August 9, 1986 | 3 500 |
| Gay Games III - Celebration '90 | Vancouver, CanadaCanada historically the Dominion of Canada is the second-largest, and northernmost, country in the world. It is a decentralized federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories, governed as a constitutional monarchy, and formed in 1867 through an act of Confe | August 4August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. Events 1500-1899 1578 Battle of Al Kasr al Kebir Moroccans defeat Portuguese. King Sebastian of Portugal is defeated and killed in North Africa, 1990Events January January 3 Former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega surrenders to American forces. January 7 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public due to safety concerns. January 9 Lt Gen Bazilio Olara Okello The man who led the coup aginst Dr Apo | 9 500 |
| Gay Games IV - Unity '94 | New York, USA | June 18June 18 is the 169th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (170th in leap years), with 196 days remaining. Events 1178 Five Canterbury monks see what was possibly the Giordano Bruno crater being formed. It is believed that the current oscillations of, 1994 | 11 000 |
| Gay Games V - Friendship '98 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | August 1, 1998 | 14 700 |
| Gay Games VI - Under New Skies | Sydney, Australia | November 2, 2002 | 12 000 |
| Gay Games VII | Chicago, USA | July 15, 2006 |
The seventh edition was supposed to take place in Montreal in 2006, but the FGG removed their sanction after it and Montréal 2006 were unable to agree on the size of the games. The official Gay Games for 2006 have been awarded to Chicago. Montréal 2006 announced its intentions to continue a Games without the sanction of the FGG; this plan developed into the first edition of the World Outgames , sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association .