IGFSU and the Gay Games
IGFSU was founded in 1991 by Arthur Luiz and Laura Moore, as part of a successful bid to get figure skating into the Gay Games in New York.
In 1999, we became a member organization of the Federation of Gay Games. By then it had become clear that we needed sanctioning/ endorsements for skaters to partner in the Gay Games regardless of gender. Under the leadership of Bradley Erickson, IGFSU became a member club of ISI. We chose to do this because the ISI structure allows for partnering regardless of gender and does not penalize male skaters wearing skirts!
IGFSU partnered with Gay Games hosts in 2002 in Sydney, Australia, 2006 in Chicago, USA, 2010 in Koeln, Germany, 2014 in Cleveland+Akron, USA and 2018 in Paris, France running events unlike any other figure skating events.
The 2018 Gay Games in Paris included an ISU competition. This was groundbreaking for both ISU and the Gay Games, but did mean that ISU rules in costuming and partnering had to be followed in that portion of the competition.
For the Gay Games in Valencia 2026 a ISI competition is planned that will include multiple skating opportunities for each participant and welcomes all skaters, in singles, pairs and ice dance, as well as groups.There will be categories for beginners through international elite skaters. If you are training a program for ISU, you will be able to skate it in HK.
IGFSU remains active with the FGG today and is recognized as the official governing body of figure skating for the Gay Games.
We are excited to see elite figure skaters coming out. We strive to support LGBTQ+ skaters, coaches, judges. IGFSU encourages skaters to lobby their country's governing bodies to become more inclusive.
