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Gays Games Supporter Joe La Pat Dies

With great sadness, the Federation of Gay Games announces the loss of Joe La Pat, a long-time supporter of the Gay Games who died suddenly and unexpectedly in his home Sunday, June 29.    An Army veteran and a long-time supporter of Chicago charities, La Pat and his partner of 39 years, Dick Uyvari, were frequent backers of numerous gay organizations, including the Center on Halsted and Gay Games VII in Chicago.
 
When Chicago decided to re-bid for the Gay Games, Dick and Joe were among the earliest supporters, loaning seed money - in a gigantic leap of faith - so that the initial expenses could be covered.  Their support could have ended there, but did not.
 
When Dick and Joe heard about the Chosen Few South African women's soccer team in late 2005, they offered to help underwrite scholarships for the team to attend Gay Games VII.  Chosen Few's members live in Soweto, with few resources to attend an international tournament.  As time moved on, it was clear that the entire GGVII scholarship program needed additional support, not just for Chosen Few, but also for the Bura team from Croatia and individual athletes from South America, Asia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Europe, the United Kingdom, and even from parts of the United States.  So Dick and Joe stepped up more than the Gay Games organizers could have hoped for to underwrite the remaining scholarships.  In total, Dick and Joe provided 75% of the funding for the Gay Games scholarships. 
 
In 1964, La Pat enlisted in the Army and served with distinction, including a tour in Germany, where he was a member of the military police.  
 
On May 25, 1969, La Pat and Uyvari met at the Castaways bar in Milwaukee, and it was love at first sight. They were together for 39 years, until La Pat's death. They liked to comment that they met exactly five weeks before the Stonewall Riots in New York that sparked the modern gay-rights movement.
 
As a couple, La Pat and Uyvari were key supporters of the Center on Halsted building campaign. They also were part of the Strike Against AIDS bowling benefits, and made available a property that became the first location used by Chicago House, a residence for people with AIDS. In 2006, they were critical financial supporters of Gay Games VII, underwriting the scholarship program that helped to bring athletes from around the world. They also helped retire the Gay Games debt by creating a matching fund.
 
“Without the support of Dick and Joe, the Gay Games could not have brought in athletes from South Africa, Croatia and beyond,” said Tracy Baim, co vice-chair of the Chicago Gay Games board, and a friend of the couple. “Joe was always the quiet one, but when he heard the story of the South African soccer team, he became a passionate advocate to bring them to the U.S. He believed strongly in the mission of the Gay Games, and he and Dick were our biggest allies.”
 
 “He always was a pillar of support in the background that allowed me to be the front guy,” Uyvari said. “Without him I could not have done any of the things I did.”
 
His generosity for family, friends and community, was limitless, even when it meant personal sacrifice for him. He was a gracious host, “an All-American man who also loved taking care of the home,” Uyvari said. “He loved gardening, cooking, anything around the house.”
 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the South African soccer team and Scholarship Program at: http://teamchicago.org/federation.html
 
Memorial services are pending in Racine, Wisc., and Chicago. Information will be posted here when available.
 
For a 2007 video interview with La Pat, see www.ChicagoGayHistory.org.
 
Source:  adapted from Windy City Times text and Gay Games VII Book by Tracy Baim.

Michelle Ferris, Cycling World and Olympic Silver Medalist, Named Gay Games Ambassador

Federation of Gay Games names the elite Australian athlete to join international roster of sports and cultural stars promoting the quadrennial Gay Games

Australian Michelle Ferris, one of cycling’s all-time sprint stars with multiple world and Olympic medals to her credit, has been selected by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) to be the newest Gay Games Ambassador, an international group of prominent individuals supporting the Gay Games.

Ferris will promote the upcoming Gay Games VIII around the world
at sporting events and public gatherings in collaboration with the FGG. Although retired from elite competitions, Ms. Ferris continues participating in Masters cycling events and is looking forward to
competing at her first Gay Games in Cologne.

Michelle Ferris Press Release: English version »  

Cape Town, South Africa selected for 2008 annual meeting
Press Release: English version »      Version francaise »

Gay Games IX 2014 bidding cycle begins
Press Release: English version »      Version francaise »  
RFP Document: English version»

Legacy Awards honor Kopay, NCLR, EGLSF and Provenzano
FGG honor pioneer out athlete David Kopay, the National  Center for Lesbian Rights, the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation, and journalist Jim Provenzano during 25th Anniversary celebration.

• The 25th Anniversary Legacy Dinner Photo Gallery
• SF Community Day Photo Gallery

Thank you to our 25th Anniversary Legacy Dinner Sponsors