Laurie Butterly Joins Gay Games Board of Directors
The former Pride WA CEO will serve as Director of Quality for the international organization.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in LGBTQ+
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Member delegates of the Federation of Gay Games have voted to appoint Laurie Butterly to the Board of Directors. Butterly will serve as the organization's new Director of Quality.
Why it matters
The appointment positions Butterly to oversee quality assurance and risk management for future international sporting events. Her background as a former CEO of Pride WA and co-chair of Perth's 2030 bid will guide her work in upholding participant wellbeing and inclusion standards.
The Gay Games maintain a 10-day event duration model that has been in place since the inaugural games held in 1982. The organization is currently preparing for the 2026 event in Valencia, Spain, followed by the 2030 Games in Perth, Australia.
The players
Laurie Butterly
She is the former CEO of Pride WA who previously co-chaired the successful bid to bring the 2030 Gay Games to Perth.
Federation of Gay Games
This is the international governing body responsible for organizing the quadrennial Gay Games which promote inclusion and sport.
The details
Laurie Butterly was selected for the leadership role during the Federation of Gay Games Annual General Assembly. In her new capacity, she is tasked with integrating rigorous risk management strategies and strengthening quality assurance across future host city planning.
Timeline
1982 marked the year of the inaugural Gay Games held in San Francisco.
2026 is the year the next Games will be held in Valencia, Spain.
2030 is the scheduled year for the Gay Games to be held in Perth.
Culture Shift
This appointment signals a shift in the leadership strategy for the Federation of Gay Games as it manages upcoming events in Valencia and Perth. It reflects a broader institutional trend of prioritizing professional risk management and quality standards in international inclusive sports.
The appointment ensures that participants and attendees at future games will see standardized safety and inclusion protocols in place. Readers involved in the local sports community can expect these quality assurance frameworks to influence how international inclusive events are structured.
The takeaway
The addition of a dedicated Director of Quality highlights the growing professionalization required to stage large-scale global inclusive sporting events. Future host committees will likely see more stringent planning requirements to ensure consistent participant experiences.
Further reading
For more updates on advocacy and events, explore the LGBTQ+ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Observer.
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