Come Out, Be Gay and Play

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As the weather continues to warm (or at least, we hope it will soon!) we at QSaltLake have found our minds turning toward the joys of summer: Utah Pride, outdoor concerts, neighborhood potlucks and, of course, balls – at least, the kind you can actually play with in public without getting weird looks or an arrest warrant. 

Whether you like baseball or soccer, swimming or hiking there’s a sports group out there that will let you play, work out and have fun in the company of other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. QSaltLake profiles a few of them here.

The Salt Lake Gay Athletic Association

Founded in 2005 by Mark Barr (who also leads the Gay Flag Football League), the association is an umbrella group for a number of leagues, clubs and teams catering primarily to gay and transgender Utahns – though straight people are welcome to play as well. When Barr began the organization he told The Salt Lake Metro (QSaltLake’s previous name) that SLGAA was an attempt not only to better the city, but also a way to better the lives and health of queer Utahns.

“Sports can boost self-esteem,” he said at the time. “This is just another outlet for people to meet new people, spend time with friends and engage in friendly athletic competition for LGBT people and our allies.”

Mountain West Flag Football

One of the first organizations to be founded under SLGAA, this flag football team was founded to promote the athletic, social and competitive spirit of American Flag Football.  It welcomes all players regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnicity, political affiliation, athletic ability, physical challenge or HIV status. The organization meets every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Sugar House Park’s softball field. League play will begin June 12.

Currently, the organization boasts four teams: Team Try-Angles, Team Jam (the new sports bar in the gay-friendly Marmalade Project in downtown Salt Lake City), Team Static Salon and one team whose sponsor is currently being determined. The league will also host this year’s Gay Bowl in which 17 national teams will compete. For interested players, league rules and waivers can be found at the group’s Web site, mwffl.org.

Mountain West Volleyball League

The Mountain West Volleyball League will begin playing June 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the sandlots on the east side of Liberty Park. Play will run until August or early September, if the weather stays warm enough.

“For the first two to three weeks it’ll be like an open play for people to get acclimatized and so I can get an idea of numbers,” said league coordinator Ralph Ingersoll. “Ideally we’ll break up into teams of fours and play a mini-tournament then go back to open play towards the end of the season.” Ingersoll describes the league as a way for people to “get together and hang out” in the middle of the week and added that there is “no heavy competition, but if people want to compete they can.” Play is open for anyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and there are no fees. For more information or to sign up email Intersoll at rogue_squadron60640@yahoo.com.

Pride Community Softball League

Batter up! The Pride Community Softball League’s season began in April and will run until August with breaks for summer holidays and, of course, Utah Pride. While the schedule is the same those who have played on one of the league’s teams in past years might notice a change this year: Salt Lake County is now working with PCSL. “For the first time in Utah history we are now a USSSA-registered league via Salt Lake County,” said Adah Maycock of PCSL. “It’s really a very monumental feat that the county is acknowledging and assisting the gay community in our efforts to maintain our identity as a gay league under their officiating.  They provide liability insurance, umpires, scorekeepers and field keeping [for the first seven weeks of play] and will even have trophies for the winning teams at the end of the year.”

This year, the league has 11 teams (including one for Q). Although teams have already formed this year, Maycock encourages latecomers to attend games and get to know the teams if they want to play on one. Teams can have up to 20 people on their rosters. The league will play the first half of the season at Valley Complex (5135 S 2700 W) on Sundays from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Jordan Park (1030 S 900 W) will host the league for the second half of the season. For more information visit leaguelineup.com/pcslutah or email pridesoftballlleague@yahoo.com.

Lambda Hiking Club

According to its Web site the Lambda Hiking Club is a group devoted to providing “friendly, safe and fun outdoor activities” to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender hikers over 18 and their straight allies, regardless of religion, political affiliation or HIV/AIDS status. Affiliated with gay-friendly ski group Ski OUT Utah, the hiking club is active though spring, summer and fall and keeps an updated schedule of activities – as well as how to stay safe while hiking and a list of things to bring – at its Web site, gayhike.org.

Queer Utah Aquatic Club

QUAC is one of the oldest gay-friendly sports organizations in the state. And with at least 120 active members, it’s also one of the biggest. Open to swimmers of any sexual orientation or gender identity, the group is also open to swimmers of all experience levels – even people who don’t know how to swim and want to learn. The group practices three times weekly and invites members to practice daily with the Utah Masters (visit utahmasters.org for schedules and locations). QUAC members can participate in a variety of activities including synchronized swimming, diving and water polo. Dues are $20 per year plus pool entry fees of $4.50. Those wishing to learn more about the group are invited to attend its barbecue at Club Sound on June 9 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The group will also hold an underwear auction at the club on June 6 and Aqua Aid, a benefit for the Utah AIDS Foundation on Aug. 24. For more information visit quacquac.org.

Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah

Since 2002 Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah has advocated for the state’s gender and sexual minority firearms owners and supporters and for the “legal, responsible and safe use of firearms” for self defense, shooting sport competition and recreation. Yes, shooting is a sport!

Due to members’ scheduling conflicts, SSSU founder David Nelson said the group no longer gets together for range shooting. However, he encourages members to visit the range alone or in small groups. As a second amendment advocate, Nelson’s monthly SSSU newsletter also contains news about gun-related events as well as local gay events. The group’s Web site at stonewallshootingsportsutah.org also boasts a list of gay-friendly instructors and ranges as well as information on purchasing firearms.

Gay Soccer

Described as “Just a group of people who gather to play soccer,” this group welcomes players of all sexual orientations, gender identities, ages and skill levels to play every Sunday at Sugar House Park at 2:30 p.m. For more information email sports79@netzero.net.

Gay Men’s Tennis

One of the only groups specific to gay men, Gay Men’s Tennis has been meeting “off and on for the last two years,” according to founder Jason Hawley. The season began May 18 and lasts until the end of September. “So far we’ve had about seven guys show up and we’re hoping to increase that number as the season goes on,” said Hawley. The group welcomes gay men of all skill levels to join them at the Taylorsville High School tennis courts (off 54 South and Redwood Rd.) each Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Although play is free, players are asked to bring their own equipment and extra tennis balls if possible.