Claiming the Title provides a resonant — if brief — history lesson from Lgbt rights movement’s not-so-distant past. A short documentary about the history of the Gay Games and its legal battle to use the term “Olympics," it captures the flavor of 1980s activism in the United States.
The Gay Olympics/Gay Games were started in 1982 to serve as a healthy, positive community-building event, presumably one that would increase positive gay visibility to the rest of the world. Dr. Tom Waddell, a gay physician and Olympic athlete himself, started it all, and the first games drew thousands of athletes and supporters to the bay area to compete and celebrate.
Ample archival footage from the early events paints a very appealing picture. Athletes from all over the Lgbt spectrum compete for cheering, smiling, gay flag-waving crowds. Same sex couples embrace at medal stands and after races, making the games a wonderfully inclusive montage of queer goodwill.
The Gay Olympics/Gay Games were started in 1982 to serve as a healthy, positive community-building event, presumably one that would increase positive gay visibility to the rest of the world. Dr. Tom Waddell, a gay physician and Olympic athlete himself, started it all, and the first games drew thousands of athletes and supporters to the bay area to compete and celebrate.
Ample archival footage from the early events paints a very appealing picture. Athletes from all over the Lgbt spectrum compete for cheering, smiling, gay flag-waving crowds. Same sex couples embrace at medal stands and after races, making the games a wonderfully inclusive montage of queer goodwill.
- 10/1/2009
- by danieller
- AfterEllen.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.