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
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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”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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”
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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”
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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’”
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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”
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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