In the summer of 1990, Vancouver hosted the first Gay Games held outside the United States, spearheaded by a small group of the city’s amateur athletes in 1982. Featuring extensive material from the video archives of media activist Mary Anne McEwen, this exhibit retraces the fascinating eight-year journey of an event that had a lasting impact on LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Credit: Forward Focus Productions Ltd.
Source: Mary Anne McEwen fonds. Crista Dahl Media Library and Archive, VIVO Media Arts Centre, Vancouver, Canada.

Close up of Gay Games III medals won, and being worn by,Vancouver track athlete, Erik Graff, at  Swanguard Stadium, Burnaby.

Graff served as Captain of Team Vancouver’s mixed track team for Gay Games I in 1982. Medals were designed by Marie Belmont.