Ardent patron of Gay Games

 In 2005, Joseph La Pat was moved when told the story about a South African women's soccer team.

The team, whose players had been persecuted in their country because they were lesbians, were enthusiastic about the possibility of coming to Chicago to compete in the Gay Games VII but lacked the money to pay for their passage.

Mr. La Pat and his longtime partner, Dick Uyvari, immediately wrote a $1,000 check to the team, then later sent $5,000 more. By the time the games started in July 2006, Mr. La Pat and Uyvari had contributed $75,000 to fund the journeys of swimmers, soccer players and runners from South Africa, Croatia, Papua New Guinea and other countries.

"Joe was always the quiet one, but when he heard the story of the South African soccer team, he became a passionate advocate to bring them to the U.S.," said Tracy Baim, co-vice chairwoman of the Chicago Gay Games board. "He believed strongly in the mission of the Gay Games, and he and Dick were our biggest allies." Ardent patron of Gay Games
Chicago Tribune, United State