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DERMODY APPOINTED FEDERATION OF GAY GAMES CO-PRESIDENT DURING A BUSY YEAR (New York - 7 August) Gene Dermody of San Francisco was promoted yesterday by the Federation of Gay Games' executive committee from Vice President to Male Co-President, succeeding Bill Wassmer of Seattle, who has stepped down. Dermody will serve until the Federation's annual meeting in October when the board of directors will hold elections. Wassmer served 21 months as a co-president and will continue as a member of the Federation's board. Federation officials cited management differences but declined further comment regarding the reason for the change. They said that Federation work would not be interrupted. "We're pleased Bill is staying on the board due to his business background and many years of Gay Games experience," said Sue Emerson, Female Co-President, of London. "Bill has raised our aspirations in terms of sponsorship and still has much to contribute to the future of the Gay Games. I'm also glad Gene has accepted the appointment to ensure continuity." Johannesburg is the site of this year's annual meeting, the highlight of which will be selection of the host for Gay Games VII in 2006. The 2006 candidate cities are Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Montreal. "It's a very busy year for us," Dermody said. "We just had a team finish a successful week of meetings with the hosts of next year's Gay Games in Sydney. This week we have other teams visiting the bidding cities for 2006, reviewing their facilities and meeting members of the bidding organizations. That's one of the strengths of the Federation now, the way we've spread the workload among various members of the board." The Federation board currently numbers 63 people, with 19 individual directors and 44 delegates from director organizations. Board members hail from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States. Many director organizations, such as the European Gay & Lesbian Sports Federation and International Front Runners, represent citizens of numerous other countries as well, and the Federation is looking to expand even more. "Our annual meetings provide an important outreach opportunity," Emerson said. "Johannesburg will be the Federation's first meeting in Africa, and we're already expecting visitors from several countries that have been underrepresented at previous Gay Games." The Federation's annual meeting runs eight days this year, with three days devoted to the bidding presentations and selection of the 2006 host. The remaining days will be filled with committee meetings, reports to the general session, and civic tours and receptions in and around Johannesburg. For more information about the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.com. The website for Gay Games VI in Sydney is www.sydney2002.org.au. Most of Sydney's Gay Games events will take place from 2-9 November 2002, with some cultural activities beginning 25 October.
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