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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

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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

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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

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


References

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  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.
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