Our HLMs

Recognising exceptional service to our community

The status of Honorary Life Member was established to recognize individuals who have served as FGG Delegates or Board Members, and whose contributions the FGG wishes to honour. It may be awarded to any number of individuals, at any time.

A nominee should be a former board member who has shown exceptional service to the FGG during their tenure, and who has gone beyond the normal tasks and duties of a member of the FGG Board of Directors. A nominee may also be a long-time delegate or volunteer who has never served on the Board but who has offered distinguished service.

Honorary Life Members receive a certificate and an FGG Medal of Honour.

Featured HLMs

  • Shamey Cramer

    he/him • Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Officer of Ceremonies (2011-2016), Officer of Development (2015-2017)

    First attended: Gay Games I, San Francisco 1982

    Writer/Executive Producer of Gay Games 9 Cleveland+Akron 2014 Opening Ceremony, including the President Obama welcome video; Writer/Producer of the "Passing The Torch" web series chronicling the first forty years of the Gay Games”

  • Stephanie Johnstone

    she/her • Woodstock, ON, Canada

    Served as The Female Vice-President of The Federation for a term, and member of DANCOM Committee, Site Selection, Co-Chair of the Sports Committee

    First attended: Gay Games III Vancouver 1990

    “I won a Gold Medal at Gay Games XII Chicago 2006.”

  • Les Johnson

    he/him • Washington DC, USA

    VP of Membership, VP of External Affairs and Chair of the Tom Waddell Award committee

    First attended: Gay Games VIII, Cologne, 2010

    “I’m a dedicated team player who oversaw the effort of joining marketing, communications and external affairs into one strategic direction in order to best achieve FGG goals and objectives.”

  • Doug Litwin

    he/him • Sausalito, CA, USA

    Board member from 2003 - 2022, and now FGG Archivist

    First attended: Gay Games II, San Francisco, 1986

    “I believe I have made major contributions to marketing the Gay Games brand for the FGG and for several host organizations, as well as assisting numerous Board members with many related tasks.”

  • William “Bill” McManus

    he/him • Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    Officer at Large, VP of Membership and VP of Member Services

    First attended: Gay Games VII, Chicago, 2006

    “By serving on the Board of the FGG, I hope I had a hand in changing the world for the good”

  • Paul Oostenbrug

    he/him • Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Vice President of Membership

    First attended: Gay Games IV New York City 1994

    “Membership in the Assembly doubled during my terms in office and the Scholarship Program operated stably and served a growing number of people”

  • Kile Ozier

    he/him • Portland, OR and San Francisco, USA

    Director of Protocol and Ceremonies from 1996 - 2000

    First attended: Gay Games I, San Francisco, 1982

    “In 1994 I Commissioned and Recorded Official Fanfare and Processional (Eric Schorr), Official Anthem (‘Take the Flame’ by Henry Krieger - Tony Award winning composer for ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Sideshow’”

  • Kate Rowe

    Sydney, Australia

    Served as VP Diversity and VP External Affairs (included maintaining and developing the Ambassador Program)

    First attended: Gay Games IV New York 1994

    “Energetic, passionate, organised, innovative, open minded, challenging”

  • R. Tony Smith

    he/him • Denver, CO, USA

    FGG Officer of Communications 2014-2018

    First attended: Gay Games IX Cleveland+Akron 2014

    “Along with serving the board IN 2014-2018, I was also fortunate to have been selected to be on FGG's 2026 Site Inspection Team for Munich, Valencia and Guadalajara. I worked to elevate the communications for the site selection process, media coverage and information published for Gay Games General Assembly members and supporters.”

Other HLMs

With immense gratitude we also celebrate the hard work and contribution of the following Honorary Life Members

Roger Brigham

Charlie Carson

Richard Cobden

Tom Cracovia

Kurt Dahl

Gene Dermody

Pam Duys

Martha Ehrenfeld

Teresa Galetti

Richard Hogan

Shawn Kelly

Susan Kennedy

David Killian

Charles King

Alan Lessik

Derek Liecty

Armin Lohrmann

Jerry Lovell

Roberto Mantaci

Brent Minor

Rose Mary Mitchell

Peter Moews

Laura Moore

Kelly Murphy-Stevens

Michael Myers

Brent Nicholson Earle

Joseph Pasquarella Smith

Gilles Pettigrew

Manuel Picaud

Martyn Pickup

Jeffry Pike

Eric Richter

Roz Quarto

Emy Ritt

Sophia Rodriguez

Kate Rowe

Adelina Santiago

Larry Sheehan

Rob Smitherman

Sara Waddell-Lewinstein

Annette Wachter

Kathleen Webster

Thomas Wilson

Paul White

Michael Witt

In Memorium

The Federation remembers with gratitude the following deceased HLMs

Ivan Bussens

Michael Clarke

Margaret (Peg) Grey

Leviathen Hendricks

Debra Kent

Herb King

Paul Mart

Stephen Mumby

Marc Naimark

Rick Peterson