By Bret Wurletzer

It was the mid-70’s – Ancient History to some. The bar scene was the only scene! The only really organized activity was something called the Imperial Rose Court. (And that is a complete story in itself.) In the 70’s, you’d wait until 10 pm or later, because hardly anyone ever came out early than that. Then you’d stay out until the bars closed.

Except Sundays. “It’s Sunday, it must be Portland,” became the Pacific Northwest popular slogan. Sundays in Portland were one of the busiest days in the bars. You could drink 25 cent beer at the Family Zoo or The Grand Oasis, or even the Hunt Pub. Or you could run for some title like Mr. Dahl & Penne’s at the bar by the same name. Or you could see a really good show at Darcelle’s by some of the popular names of the day – like a young performer named Candi Wrapper.

You could be standing in a bar, cruising the front door to watch for the next pretty young thing or handsome hunk that would enter the door, ready to strike before all the other hungry bar patrons got their claws ready to snare new meat, and the next thing you knew, a bevy of vibrant, dolled-up beauties would prance into the establishment and start handing out flyers and asking for your vote. It was campaign time for Empress of the Rose Court. And in those days there were lots of candidates vying for that precious, sparkling crown.
In this environment, there was nothing else. There was no Gay Men’s Chorus. No sports! No bowling! No softball! Nothing. There was, however, the Portland Forum’s annual All City Picnic. Held at various places from Rooster Rock Park to Sauvies Island and elsewhere, the Picnic was the highlight of the summer season. Anyone who was anyone, or wanted to meet anyone, or wanted to be anyone, attended. And if you were really brave you would run for the highly contested “Groovy Guy” title. You had better fill out your stars and stripes speedo if you wanted to win.

But beyond that, good luck.

It was in this environment, that an unfamiliar face entered the community looking for some additional fun things to do in the gay community. If you didn’t look absolutely fabulous in a skimpy swimsuit or incredibly gorgeous in a gown, what could you do? It was in that culture that Tom Geil, aka Tom “Terrific” came up with the idea of starting an activity that would involved both men and women.

It was in 1975 that Tom Terrific thought through what he wanted to achieve. If he began a softball league, it would mean 9 players in the dugout, with nine on the field. And not all teams would be on the same field at the same time. And there definitely weren’t cocktails allowed on the fields, which had to be a “must” if the event was to attract any attention. After all this was Sunday. And if you couldn’t party on Sundays, no event was going to be successful.

On Sunday August 29th, 1976 the very first “Terrific Tourney” was held. Tom drug 28 participants out of the Dahl & Penne’s bar on the west end of the Morrison Bridge (some with cocktails still in hand), and they strolled to the east end of the bridge to Grand Central Bowl. The bowling alley was not quite ready for what came in the door.

Accompanying those 28 were queens in dresses who performed the duties of “Money Honeys” selling raffle tickets and entertaining the participants as they “worked” the lanes in heels, miming to the songs coming across the lane’s intercom.

What the bowling alley learned was that not only were these participants well mannered, and great fun, but they also spent their money in their bar, and they were great tippers. That was something the bowling house was not used to from regular Sunday patrons consisting mainly of families. With that event, the Terrific Tournament became a welcomed annual event at the bowling house, as well as in the community.

The once a year event began to attract higher numbers reaching well over 100. In the beginning, it was mainly individuals from the Rose Court system that attended the events. It was scheduled to coordinate with the annual campaigns for Emperor and Empress. Tom surmised that through the Court system he could reach a broader cross-section of the community because, after all, it was the only organized group marketing itself to the entire community.

All the candidates would field teams. And then all the bars and businesses began putting together teams. Heck…this is where a lot of people were spending their Sunday mornings – why not promote your establishment where the crowds are. Initially bar establishments were hesitant about this possible detraction from their bar business. But gradually they warmed up to the idea, that this could be good for business. The bars began lining up for what became known as “Bar Appreciation” events as bowlers packed in the bars after an afternoon of bowling.

One of the biggest, original supporters were Steve Suss of The Embers. Suss had three teams, The Embers All Nighters I, II, and III. Usually it was staff that had worked all night and hadn’t gone to bed yet. For them, the night life continued into the morning bowling as one continuous party. And the Embers usually reigned supreme as the Champions.
By 1979, the call was there for a regular gay community league. Participants wanted something more than just once or twice a year. Tom began planning every other week league (again because he didn’t want to take away from the bar scene on every Sunday). But that’s a whole different story. Stay tuned until next month for the next ten years of League formations, the first Gay Games contingent and more.