Sports

Pride season play time

Local gay sports groups have bounty of summer activities planned

Published

15 years ago

June 9, 2011

The Rainbow Spinnakers in action on a recent sailing expedition. Its members have activities planned every weekend throughout summer. (Photo by Kevin Majoros)

Pride month is upon us and the D.C. sports clubs are all in full summer swing. Following are some highlights of activities for the coming weeks.

June is a great month for sailing in the Delmarva area. The Rainbow Spinnakers head out every weekend and some weeknights. You can learn to skipper or just relax as a passenger. For more info, visit rainbowspinnakers.org.

The Lambda Divers have two scuba diving trips lined up for fall. Join them in Grand Cayman or Cozumel for either the whole week or just the weekend. You can meet the divers every third Sunday at Nellie’s Sports Bar between 5-7 p.m. for happy hour. The next happy hour is June 19. They can also be found at lambdadivers.org.

The District of Columbia Aquatics Club is hosting the 20^th annual Swim for Life event on June 25 at Rolph’s Wharf on the Chester River. There will be 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-mile swims contested that day. Proceeds from Swim for Life support a number of small local organizations assisting individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as the Chester River Association, which advocates for the health of the Chester River. Visit swimdcac.org for details. On a side note, the swimmers will be heading to Honolulu, Hawaii from July 6-10 for the International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics Championships. Good luck swimmers.

The D.C. Gay Flag Football League is currently between seasons but members are keeping in shape by cross training in Ping Pong. The fourth Thursday of each month this summer they will be paddling away at Nellie’s Sports Bar at 7:30 p.m. Entry fees are $15 for singles and $25 for doubles. The next paddling is June 23. Contact Master JJ at [email protected] as spots will fill up.

The Lambda Links Golf Club is hosting its second tournament of the season on June 11 at the University of Maryland golf course. Members have room for 40 golfers and tee times start at noon. Cost of the event is $80 which includes green fees, prizes, range balls, gift and cart. Contact Matt at [email protected].

The Adventuring outdoors group is hosting another ride in its series of Arlington Evening Bike Rides on June 14. Using bike trails and bicycle friendly residential streets, the ride is a 19-mile loop and will visit the swanky Lake Barcroft neighborhood in Fairfax County. At the end of the ride an optional social dinner will be held at Rocklands Barbeque. The group will meet at the Clarendon Metro station elevator entrance (Wilson Blvd. and Highland St.) and the ride will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Bring a helmet, water and the $2 trip fee. Contact Lee at [email protected].

Not convinced all these summer sports are for you? The D.C. IceBreakers will skate on Wednesday at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Cool off on the ice with the skaters starting at 8:15 p.m., then join them for a social after the skate. Details are at dcicebreakers.com.

On Sunday, head over to the sports row at Capital Pride where you can mingle with the athletes from the various LGBT sports clubs. During the course of the day, different teams will be tending bar in the beer gardens at the west end of the festival. Join them as they do their best to coax a tip from your wallet to benefit their team. Happy Pride!

Sports

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay

Games to take place next month in Italy

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2026

Staff reports

(Photo courtesy of Crave HBO Max)

“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.

Sports

Capitals to host 10th annual Pride night

Pre-game block party planned at District E

Published

2 weeks ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

2 months ago

December 11, 2025

Michael K. Lavers

(Photo by fifg/Bigstock)

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.