This thesis is the first comprehensive social history of the international Gay Games from its inception in 1980 up until 2002. These Games have become one of the largest
sporting, cultural and human rights events in the world, as well as the largest international participatory gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex
event. Particular attention is paid to the ways that gender, sexuality, sport and community are played
out within this history of the Games. Three historical research methods are used. These are archival and document analysis, oral history interviewing and the examination of secondary sources.