Arts & Entertainment
Covering the action
New online sports network devoted to LGBT athletic tournaments

(Photo courtesy of the CCE Sports Network)
The recognition of LGBT sports in the United States has reached new levels in the past few years with help from the support of advocacy groups, politicians and straight allies.
The emergence in 2012 of the CCE Sports Network is the latest stamp of validation for the growing LGBT sports movement. The CCE Sports Network is the nation’s only live web streaming sports network dedicated to the LGBT sports community.
The United States is home to more than 200 LGBT sports tournaments and the Network is presenting a portion of those events to athletes, family members, friends, fans and supporters all over the world.
The Network, which launched in May 2012, is the brainchild of Thomas Garnet and Adrian Uribazo who bring 17 years of video experience to their company.
“We had been searching for something new and different,” says Garnet. “We had been considering Pride Festivals, but that was already being covered.”
During the Miami Pride Festival, the pair stumbled across the tennis booth, which was promoting a tournament in Key Biscayne. The Sunshine Tennis Cup would become their first tournament coverage.
As of September 2013, the Network has filmed 12 live broadcasts in cities such as Miami, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Washington. The sports covered so far have been tennis, soccer, swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming. They recently covered the Capital Classic XXI tennis tournament in D.C.
“Our goal for 2014 is 20 tournaments,” says Garnet. “We are also planning on adding volleyball, flag football, basketball, rugby and softball to the sports line up.”
The network’s production workflow is set up for a multi-camera live web streaming, complete with play-by-play commentary, score updates, social media updates, live chats, commercials and music. Upgrades can be made to the broadcast to make it look and feel more like traditional sports television.
“Guest commentators have been a big hit for us,” says Garnet. “We invite player-athletes into the booth to give their own perspective and insight into the players and matches. It ends up being informative and funny.”
My first interaction with the CCE Sports Network was at the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships (IGLA) in Seattle last month. I walked into the natatorium, saw their equipment and was immediately intrigued. I finished my swimming races for the day and Kris Pritchard of the Washington Wetskins told me their next water polo match was that afternoon.
After returning to my hotel room, I logged onto the CCE website and there was the water polo match; live and with commentary. I was overwhelmed that this network has set up a platform to profile and recognize the skill, talent and athleticism of the LGBT athlete.
The stories that that emerged as a result of the CCE Sports Network coverage of IGLA were incredibly touching.
A water polo athlete went up to the commentator booth and asked to give a shout out to his brother, who was serving in the Paktika Province in Afghanistan and was watching his little brother play water polo on his iPad.
A sister got to watch her brother compete in swimming for the first time since high school and a father almost missed his flight at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport; he wanted to watch his little girl compete.
Similar stories were heard after the CCE coverage of the Capital Classic tennis tournament, here in D.C. From their Twitter feed:
@CCESportNetwork I’m thrilled w/ your coverage! I hadn’t been able to see my brother compete since HS! I still can’t get over how fun it was to watch my brother play again! I missed getting to cheer for him!
With the CCE Sports Network still ramping up their operations, there will be many more feel-good moments to come for athletes and their friends and families.
“By 2015, we hope to have weekly live tournament broadcasts along with our own monthly sports show,” says Garnet.
For now, CCE is working on gaining new sponsorships, building their video archives and acquiring connections in the European market. The visibility they’re providing in showcasing the athleticism of the LGBT sports athlete will certainly help to further the cause of the LGBT sports movement to rid the playing field of homophobia.
You can see the Capital Tennis Association players, the Washington Wetskins water polo players and the District of Columbia Aquatics Club swimmers in action in their video archives at ccesportsnetwork.com.
Friday, March 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, March 30
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, April 2
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
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