-------------- begin included article -------------- Gay people can't play hockey, right? I mean, come on, it's a rough, violent game, and gays are artists and actors anyway. If you do see one on the ice, it must be a figure skater, not a hockey player. Well, thanks to the vision and efforts of Michael Storlie and Stan Willis, co-founders of the International Gay and Lesbian Hockey Association (IGLHA), gay and lesbian ice hockey players now have a "league of their own". Originally founded three years ago in Seattle, the IGLHA now has teams spanning both the United States, from Los Angeles to Boston, and Canada, from Vancouver to Montreal. New teams are constantly joining the league, and the IGLHA is seeking to expand into Europe as well. The full spectrum of ability levels is represented, from the beginning skater right up to Junior-A and ex-NHL players. During the regular season, most of the IGLHA teams compete in local leagues, where their year, Team Los Angeles came in first place in their men's league, and only then did they reveal their homosexuality to the other teams. Consequently, they gained much respect from their hockey playing peers, for both their on-ice ability and their courage. In Montreal, the existence of three all-gay men's teams allows them to compete against each other during the regular season, whereas geographics generally prevent IGLHA teams in the United States from doing the same. Occasionally, however, the IGLHA organizes tournaments which bring together its member teams for a few days of competition and comradery. Most recently, a tournament was held in Montreal on the weekend of April 2 - 4, 1993, at the Arena Camilien-Houde. Men's and women's teams from both Canada and the United States participated, including Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Toronto, and four teams from Montreal. Among the players were Junior-A hotshot Serg Dupuis and ex-Washington Capital's star Bob Girrard. The level of competition was quite fierce, and the gameplay was intense. In fact, were it not for the skating pink triangle person who would sometimes appear on the ice between games, casual observers would have no way of knowing that all the players were gay. Although there were a few fights, due to the traditional friction between Montreal and Toronto, most of the players conducted themselves with constant sportsmanship. Since the tournament schedule did not permit much time for socializing, the committee organized a party at a local bar on Saturday night. It was at this time that the players were able to come together to eat, mingle, and share thoughts and perspectives. The entire tournament proved to be an overwhelminly positive experience for all the participants -- a time where everyone could celebrate their talent as hockey players while acknowledging their common bond as gay and lesbian human beings. Due to the recent success of the IGLHA tournaments, ice hockey has been selected as one of the official sports for the upcoming gay olympic festival, known as Gay Games IV. Scheduled for June 18 - 25, 1994, the Games will take place in New York City, after previously being held twice in San Francisco, and once in Vancouver. The Gay Games Committee expects a record 15,000 athletes from more than 40 countries, as well as over 500,000 spectators, bringing millions of dollars of economic benefit to the City of New York. In early 1993, the Games were officially endorsed by heralded women's tennis star Martina Navratilova, who, along with many others, is working hard to make Gay Games IV a complete success. This year marks the first time that ice hockey has been included as one of the thirty sports in the olympic line-up. The IGLHA will be working very closely with the Games Committee in the next few months in order to finalize plans for this event. Participation is open to anyone, and new players and officials are quite welcome. In the event that there is no local team for a particular person, he or she can usually join the team closest by. If you are interested in getting involved with Gay Games IV as an ice hockey player or official, feel free to send electronic mail to glba@rpi.edu, or call the GLBA hotline, at (518) 276-2655. They can in turn point you to local IGLHA contact people. Gay Games IV will prove to be a fantastic time for all those who get involved, and the inclusion of ice hockey is an historic event. If you are a gay or lesbian person, and have been itching to get out those skates and sticks again, here is your opportunity. Don't pass up the chance to make new friends, compete in an intense atmosphere, and most importantly, break those stereotypes which have all too often pervaded the gay community. ---------------- end included article -----------------