This Labor Day Weekend (August 29th - 31st) the Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational Bowling Tournament is celebrating their 25th Anniversary (1983 - 2008) this year at the Gold Coast Bowling Center.  Over 400 gay bowlers from across the U.S. are expected to compete in the tournament this year.  Participants will compete for top honors and cash prizes to be awarded at the awards banquet on the last day of the tournament.


The Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational Bowling Tournament began 25 years ago with a more serious purpose, to raise money and awareness of the threat posed by HIV / AIDS.  In 1983 the HIV / AIDS epidemic was emerging as a global killer that prompted much activism from within the gay community.  Earlier that year organizers of Phoenix Regional Invitational Tournament (PRIT) convinced Ron Sperry, a Las Vegas resident to create a similar event here in the Las Vegas Valley.  The sister events have occurred over Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend respectively for the past 25 years.  It is a reminder of the not so distant past when friends and loved ones were afflicted by the disease and the champions that were raised up to save their friends and slow the spread of HIV.


Nearly 5 years ago Tournament Director, Ron Sperry was overheard in a Portland bar by Brent Lovett that the Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational Bowling Tournament would not continue.  Sperry was planning a move to San Diego and Lovett introduced himself, promising to make the tournament a piece of Las Vegas gay history, and the tradition continues


Times have changed, but we remember the international crisis that attacked our community.  The Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational Bowling Tournament is the longest running gay sports tournament to exist in Las Vegas and it represents a measure of where we've been and where we're headed.  The Las Vegas Showgirl Bowling Tournament has prompted community initiatives that will help establish other sports programs with the creation of the LVGA3 (Las Vegas Gay Athletics, Arts & Activities) website.


The Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational Bowling Tournament will be hosted on August 29th - 31st, 2008 at the Gold Coast Bowling Center.  4000 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, NV 89103 (702) 367-7111.


To participate in the tournament, please register online at www.lvshowgirl.net.


For more information please contact Terry Hernandez at (702) 966-3999 ext. 1018


Gold Coast Hotel & Casino