Laura Moore and Kurt Dahl receive the Tom Waddell Award
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is proud to announce that Laura Moore and Kurt Dahl have been named the recipients of the 2026 Tom Waddell Award, the Federation’s highest honor. The awards were presented during the Opening Ceremony of Gay Games XII València 2026, celebrating two individuals whose decades of leadership, service, and dedication have helped shape the Gay Games movement.
Named in honor of Gay Games founder Tom Waddell, the Tom Waddell Award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the Gay Games and the global LGBTQ+ sport and cultural community. Since its introduction in 1990, the award has been presented just nine times, making it the most prestigious recognition bestowed by the Federation of Gay Games.
This year’s recipients were selected from six outstanding nominees following a comprehensive review by the Tom Waddell Award Sub-Committee, an international panel representing FGG member organizations, the FGG Board, Honorary Life Members, previous award recipients, and members of the Waddell family.
Laura Moore
For more than three decades, Laura Moore has been one of the driving forces behind LGBTQ+ figure skating and the Gay Games movement. As founder and President of the International Gay Figure Skating Union (IGFSU), she has championed inclusion within the sport while also serving the Federation through its Scholarship and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committees, helping hundreds of participants from around the world experience the Gay Games.
“My first Gay Games goal was modest. All I wanted to do was ice skate with another woman in a summer event! For over three decades, I have been driven to help create Gay Games opportunities for others, especially figure skaters and scholarship recipients. I thought doing the work was the greatest honor. My hearted exploded when I learned I was receiving the Tom Waddell Award.”
Kurt Dahl
Kurt Dahl has dedicated more than 23 years of leadership and service to the Federation of Gay Games, including seven years as Co-President during one of the organization’s most challenging periods. His continued commitment to governance, strategic planning, and supporting successive Gay Games host organizations has played an important role in strengthening the Federation for future generations.
“I am honored to not only have been nominated but also to have been selected as one of the 2026 award recipients. The gay games have been a major part of my life for the past 25 years, and winning this award means so much to me. I have met so many great people and my world has changed because of the Gay Games. “
Doug Litwin, FGG Archivist and Honorary Life Member, reflected on the significance of the award:
“The Tom Waddell Award is the highest honor the FGG can bestow on any individual. It has been awarded just 9 times in history. The dedicated all-volunteer selection committee works hard to execute a process which will solicit nominees and choose the recipients who exemplify the principles of the Gay Games and the spirit of founder Dr. Tom Waddell. It is truly exciting to be a part of this important process.”
The Federation of Gay Games congratulates Laura Moore and Kurt Dahl on this well-deserved recognition and thanks all six nominees for their extraordinary service, leadership, and lasting contributions to the Gay Games movement. Their collective work continues to inspire LGBTQ+ athletes, artists, volunteers, and communities around the world, carrying forward the vision and legacy of Dr. Tom Waddell.
For more information about the Tom Waddell Award, visit the Federation of Gay Games website.