For Immediate Release
August 1, 2006

Contact: Don Romesburg, 415.850.8580

COOL DOWN, WARM UP
Gay Games VII & Outgames Athlete Reception at GLBTHS

SAN FRANCISCO—Join Bay Area athletes to celebrate their achievements at Gay Games VII and the First World Outgames at “Cool Down, Warm Up,” a special reception at the GLBT Historical Society on Thursday, September 7th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. This event will include the unveiling of Gay Games VII and Outgames additions to the Historical Society's acclaimed exhibit, “Sporting Life: GLBT Athletics and Cultural Change From the 1960s to Today.”

Raise a toast to Bay Area athletes and peruse “Sporting Life” for the new full set of medals, banners, team jackets, programs and other memorabilia from the big GLBT summer athletic extravaganzas.  These artifacts have been added to the more than 400 items spanning four decades already displayed. Athletes are encouraged to share their Summer 2006 memories and wear their medals, team shirts, and jerseys.

“We’ve re-designed the exhibit to celebrate this thriving community’s latest achievements,” said guest curator Jim Provenzano. “GLBT athletes continue to make history, and some of the first teams, like the Gay Games itself, started right here in San Francisco.”

At the seventh Gay Games, held in Chicago July 15-22, more than 600 Bay Area participants marched into Soldier Field wearing official Team San Francisco jackets. Hundreds of competing athletes won medals in each of the more than 30 sports that took place in Chicago. Since San Francisco hosted the first two Gay Games (in 1982 and 1986) Bay Area participants have most often been the largest of U.S. contingents at each of the quadrennial Games.  More than 50 Bay Area participants competed in the first Outgames, held in Montreal July 29 - Aug. 5. 

The reception also serves as a warm up for the GLBT Historical Society’s 22nd annual gala, “A Home for Our History, Gala 2006,” to be held Sept 28 in San Francisco at Terra, 511 Harrison St. Tennis legend Billie Jean King and former NFL player Esera Tuaolo will be the honored. Food, drink, live entertainment and a silent auction will also be part of this festive fundraiser.

“Sporting Life” will run through December 2006. Regular exhibit hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

WHAT: “COOL DOWN, WARM UP,” Gay Games & Outgames Reception at “Sporting Life”

WHEN: September 7, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

WHERE:  GLBT Historical Society, 657 Mission St. #300 (btwn New Montgomery/3rd), San Francisco (415) 777-5455.

The GLBT Historical Society is turning 21! The mission of the organization is to increase public understanding, appreciation, and affirmation of the history and culture of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other sexual minority individuals and communities. For more information, call (415) 777-5455 or visit www.glbthistory.org
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