IGBO, an international gay bowling organization with over 8000 members worldwide, continues to grow as the number one and official bowling organization for the LGBT community on the planet. We have members currently in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and United States of America. Currently we are reaching out to several European countries to expand our presence and bring together the global community to the sport of bowling in its various forms.

IGBO is rich and diverse, reflecting the organizations ideals of Unity, Fellowship and Communication. From it’s original six member cities in 1980, to over 250 member leagues and tournaments worldwide, IGBO has grown into the largest International Gay and Lesbian sports organization in existence today. The amazing growth of Gay bowling is not surprising, as it is one sport that truly does not discriminate among its participants. Whether young or old, male or female, wheelchair bound or deaf, strong or weak, tall or short, bowling is a sport that virtually any living person can enjoy whether recreationally or as a member of a league. Gay and Lesbian leagues began emerging in the United States in the ’70’s, primarily as a social outlet for men and women who wished to fraternize with their “family” members in a non-bar atmosphere. IGBO was created out of a desire to unify all of the gay leagues, and open lines of communications between them, as well as promote the sport through league and tournament participation. 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.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

IGBO – The sports membership organization of choice for the gay community worldwide.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

IGBO, an international gay bowling organization, provides educational services, communication avenues, and social opportunities to promote the sport of bowling and to enrich lives of individuals through leagues and tournaments worldwide.