Sports
YEAR IN REVIEW 2016: Sports
Local LGBT sports leagues celebrate banner year
It was another successful year for the LGBT sports teams and clubs in the Washington metro area. Whether they were playing locally or competing in cities around the world, our local LGBT athletes continue to be a force to be reckoned with.
In June, it was announced that Team D.C., the information clearinghouse for roughly 35 local LGBT sports teams, would be bidding for the 2022 Gay Games.
Six months later, the bidding process continues and the list has been whittled down to nine cities; Washington, San Francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, Salt Lake City, Guadalajara and Hong Kong. Three finalists will be announced on March 1.
Look for multiple D.C. teams to compete at the Sin City Shootout (25 sports) in Las Vegas in January and the World OutGames (32 sports) in Miami in May.
The Federal Triangles Soccer Club traveled to Portland in August where they captured the Division 1 title at the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship XXII.
Federal Triangles (Photo courtesy Triangles)
The Washington Wetskins water polo team snagged the silver medal in the rec division at the International Gay & Lesbian World Aquatics Championships in August in Edmonton, Canada.
In July, players from the Capital Tennis Association won their second straight title at the 25th Atlantic Cup by defeating players from Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.
The D.C. Titans of the Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League notched second place in the D Division at the 40th annual Gay Softball World Series in Austin in August.
The District of Columbia Aquatics Club won the medium-team title in Edmonton, Canada in August at the International Gay & Lesbian World Aquatic Championships.
D.C. Aquatics (Washington Blade photo by Kevin Majoros)
At the Bingham Cup (rugby) in Nashville in May, the Washington Renegades B Team won their division to take the Mark Bingham Shield.
At that same Bingham Cup, the Washington Scandals won their first match as a team.
Members of the Washington Scandals celebrate their historic win at the Bingham Cup rugby tournament in Nashville in May where they won their first match as a team. (Photo courtesy of the Washington Scandals)
Along with their successes at out-of-town tournaments, many of the teams hosted their own tournaments in D.C. and ran their own leagues. Registrations for new seasons will begin for many of the teams in January 2017.
The LGBT sports community of D.C. continues to evolve and thrive and this year’s new additions included Stonewall Yoga, Baltimore Flamingos Rugby and the relaunch of Lambda Divers Scuba.
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.
Unconventional homes becoming more popular
Out dancer on Alvin Ailey’s stint at Warner Theatre
This queer comedy show will warm you up
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
AIDS Healthcare Foundation sues Fla. over ‘illegal’ HIV drug program cuts
Two gay men face deportation to Iran
Defunding LGBTQ groups is a warning sign for democracy
Blade welcomes spring intern
Van Sant returns with gripping ‘Dead Man’s Wire’
