Sports
Wide world of gay sports
Hiking, diving, skiing, skating among fall roster of local clubs
While the fall LGBT sports leagues are all in full swing, there are still many opportunities for individuals to get out there and get those heart rates pumping.
Adventuring Outdoors Group will visit Southern Rock Creek Park Hike on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The trip fee is $2. The hike will start at the Cleveland Park Metro (look for the trip leader’s trademark orange cap) and descend into the park on the Melvin Hazen Trail, passing an old stone quarry.
The hikers will then visit several attractions including the Jusserand Memorial, Pulpit Rock, Boulder Bridge and Peirce Mill. The total length of the hike will be approximately 5 to 6 miles, with several hundred feet of elevation gain, and should be appropriate for beginner/novice hikers. Bring beverages and bug spray. Contact [email protected] for more information.
A visit to Panorama-Marys Rock is slated for Oct. 16 at 8:30 a.m. The trip fee is $15. Marys Rock provides one of the most spectacular vistas in all of Shenandoah National Park. The hike will begin from the old Panorama area at Thornton Gap, where Route 211 crosses Skyline Drive between Sperryville and Luray, and climb steadily on the Appalachian Trail to the crest of the Blue Ridge.
After lunching at Marys Rock, the hike will continue on the Appalachian Trail to Byrds Nest No. 3, a stone day-use shelter. The hikers will circle back to the old Panorama area with the total length of the hike being 6.5 miles with 1,400 feet of elevation gain. Meeting place is 8:30 a.m. at the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. On the way home, the group will stop at a historic farm where Robert E. Lee and his BFF Stonewall Jackson may have had a crucial meeting. Bring beverages, lunch and bug spray. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more info.
Another active group that always has something going on is MYOB Adventures. Its members have a zipline and outdoor adventure course planned for Oct. 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Sandy Springs Adventure Park in Sandy Springs, Md. This is a three-hour tree top adventure open to 14 people at $80 per person. The group will carpool from Dupont Circle. Anyone who can drive gets a $25 discount. E-mail to [email protected] for more information.
Flying trapeze lessons will be offered on Nov. 6 at the D.C. Navy Yards. The two hour session is open to 10 people and costs $75. Time has not been determined. E-mail to [email protected] for more information.
Ski Bums D.C. has its fall meeting on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. It’s a great chance to meet members, who ski and snowboard, and see what the group has planned for its fall trips. Go to www.ski-bums.org for more information.
The Lambda Divers have a happy hour Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Nellie’s. It’s a chance to meet members and find out what international dives they have planned. Go here for more information.
The D.C. Ice Breakers, a local LGBT ice skating social group, skates Oct. 20 from 8:15 to 9:15 at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. Skating is $8 and rentals are $3. Go here for more information.
And the Capital Splats Racquetball group has sessions for players of all skill levels twice a month. E-mail to [email protected] for more information.
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.
Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.
Egypt
Iran, Egypt object to playing in Seattle World Cup ‘Pride Match’
Game to take place on June 26
Iran and Egypt have objected to playing in a “Pride Match” that will take place in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian Football Association on Tuesday said it told FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström in a letter that “it categorically rejects holding any activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran, scheduled to be held in Seattle, USA, on June 26, 2026, in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.” Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj told ISNA, a semi-official Iranian news agency that both his country and Egypt “protested this issue.”
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw took place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5.
Iran is among the handful of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death.
The State Department’s 2023 human rights report notes that while Egyptian law “did not explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, authorities regularly arrested and prosecuted LGBTQI+ persons on charges including ‘debauchery,’ prostitution, and ‘violating family values.’” Egyptian authorities “also reportedly prosecuted LGBTQI+ individuals for ‘misuse of social media.’”
“This resulted in de facto criminalization of same-sex conduct and identity,” notes the report.
The 2024 human rights report the State Department released earlier this year did not include LGBTQ-specific references.
Soccer has ‘unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs’
The June 26 match between Iran and Egypt coincides with Seattle Pride. The Washington Post reported the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Organizing Committee decided to hold the “Pride Match” before last week’s draw.
“As the Local Organizing Committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said SeattleFWC26 Vice President of Communications Hana Tadesse in a statement the committee sent to the Washington Blade on Wednesday. “SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs,” added Tadeese. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”
The 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death in the country. The 2022 World Cup took place in neighboring Qatar, despite concerns over the country’s anti-LGBTQ rights record.
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