The International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics Association (known as IGLA) is the international governing body for gay and lesbian aquatics clubs, representing the sports of swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo, and open water swimming. Member clubs are from 16 countries, with the majority of clubs in the United States and Canada. Past presidents of the association have included Scott Kohanowski (of Team New York Aquatics) and Gareth Johnson (of Out to Swim London).
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IGLA is one of the key organisations involved in the running of the Gay Games, which are held every four years. In years in which the Gay Games are not held, IGLA holds an international competition open to its member clubs. The organization is a part of the larger movement of a niche travel industry, LGBTQ sports tourism.
History
The IGLA name was chosen in 1987 to keep the community spirit of competition going from the recently held Gay Olympics that had started in San Francisco by Tom Waddell. The Gay Olympics was later forced to change its name to Gay Games but the event itself was successful in allowing LGBT athletes from around the world to compete in Olympic, exhibition and art events. To carry on the international aspect for the LGBT aquatics community the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics was named to hold a yearly international championship event. By Gay Games III IGLA was officially a part of the Games organizing.
Championships
The host cities for the championships have been: