International Gay Bowling Organization


The International Gay Bowling Organization represents over 5000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members from Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. The organization was established in 1980 to provide a collaborative sporting group within the LGBT community. The organization embraces the ideals of Unity, Fellowship and Communication. By 2019, the group had more than 8,000 members.

History

leagues, like bowling, began emerging in the United States in the 1970s, primarily as a social outlet for men and women who wished to fraternize with other homosexual amateur athletes in a non-bar atmosphere.
Over the past 30 years, the organization has dealt with topical issues such as increasing participation by women, memorializing members who have succumbed to AIDS, raising funds for charitable organizations and the ongoing pursuit of increasing membership worldwide.

How IGBO Works

IGBO is a membership-based organization of member leagues, tournaments and individuals. Leagues and tournaments join IGBO to network and promote their events across the organization. Individuals can become a part of IGBO by joining a member league or individually as an associate member.
IGBO conducts business through a board of elected volunteers and a series of committees. Twice annually, in November and May, IGBO conducts a conference to gather representatives from member leagues and tournaments and conduct business.

Host Cities for Past Conferences

Host CityAnnual ConferenceMid-Year Conference
Detroit, Michigan, USA2019
San Antonio, Texas, USA2019
Reno, Nevada, USA2018
Denver, Colorado, USA2000, 2007, 2018*
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA1994, 20092007, 2017
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA2002, 2017
San Francisco, California, USA1987, 2016
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA2015
Omaha, Nebraska, USA2015
Jacksonville, Florida, USA2014
Tucson, Arizona, USA20141994
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, USA1982, 19921985, 1989, 2013
Tampa, Florida, USA20131991
Seattle, Washington, USA19842012
New York City, New York, USA2012
Rochester, New York, USA2011
Toronto, Ontario, CAN1991, 20111997
Washington, DC, USA1988, 19992010
Columbus, Ohio, USA2001, 2010
Syracuse, New York, USA2009
San Diego, California, USA2003, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia, USA1993, 2008
Detroit, Michigan, USA1992, 2006
Kansas City, Missouri, USA2006
Calgary, Alberta, CAN2005
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA20051981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1990
Fort Worth, Texas, USA2004
St. Louis, Missouri, USA2004
Phoenix, Arizona, USA2003
Auckland, New Zealand2002
Houston, Texas, USA19812001
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA2000
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA1999
Los Angeles, California, USA19901998
Cleveland, Ohio, USA1998
Nashville, Tennessee, USA1997
Orlando, Florida, USA1996
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA1996
Lexington, Kentucky, USA1995
Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN1995
San Antonio, Texas, USA1993
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA19891986
Miami, Florida, USA1988
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA1987
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA1986
Louisville, Kentucky, USA1985
Chicago, Illinois, USA1983