Amateur queer athletes made strides in many sports leagues this year. (Photos by Kevin Majoros)

What a year it was for the LGBT sports community in Washington. The noncompetitive sports clubs offered a full list of recreational activities and the competitive sports teams left their mark on the national and world stage.

Gay Games 10 was contested in Paris with about 10,000 athletes from 91 countries vying for medals in 36 sports. Athletes from Team D.C. hauled in 234 medals in the sports of rowing, volleyball, soccer, swimming, road running, fencing, triathlon, track & field, basketball, open water swimming, dancesport, tennis, golf and bowling. 

Below are 2018 highlights from a select few of the LGBT sports teams:

D.C. Gay Flag Football League maintained its two-season league structure and sent multiple travel teams to tournaments around the country. In September, members sent four men’s teams and one women’s team to Denver where the Washington Generals were crowned Gay Bowl XVIII Division A champions.

Capital Tennis Association members traveled to tournaments, hosted league play throughout the year along with hosting their annual Capital Classic tennis tournament. In October they traveled to New York City where they won the Atlantic Cup for the fourth consecutive year defeating Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.

Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League players ran multiple leagues, traveled to tournaments and hosted their annual MAGIC tournament. In September one of their women’s travel teams, D.C. Swag, captured the championship title in the D Division at the 2018 ASANA Softball World Series in New Orleans.

Stonewall Sports leagues have expanded to 16 cities across the country with their latest addition being Salt Lake City. Members hosted their Stonewall National Tournament in New Orleans and also traveled to the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. Locally, they host kickball, dodgeball, bocce, climbing, billiards and yoga.

D.C. Furies played in the USA Rugby Women’s Premier League and hosted Ruggerfest with 36 teams in attendance. Their sevens team qualified and played in New York City in June at the USA Rugby Club 7S National Championships where they placed ninth.

District of Columbia Aquatics Club led the way at the Paris Gay Games in August with 121 medals and shattered 15 IGLA world records. In July, members hosted the 27th Annual Maryland Swim for Life open water event on the Eastern Shore.

D.C. Sentinels basketball team traveled to tournaments nationally and their weekly pick-up games continued along with the Washington D.C. Gay Basketball League. This year they introduced the Washington D.C. Women’s Basketball League.

Washington Scandals, Washington Renegades and the Baltimore Flamingos, all played in USA Rugby’s Mid-Atlantic Senior Men’s Division IV conference. They also traveled to tournaments including the Bingham Cup in Amsterdam in June. The Renegades Blues team captured the Bingham Bowl.

D.C. Strokes Rowing Club continued with multiple rowing programs and hosted its annual Stonewall Regatta bringing about 400 rowers to D.C. The Strokes raced sprints and head races throughout the year including the U.S. Masters Rowing Championships and Head of the Charles.

Federal Triangles Soccer Club hosted another successful season of the Summer of Freedom Soccer League along with competing in other District leagues and tournament play. They continue to run three tournaments per year.

A big welcome in 2018 to the LGBT players and allies competing in Rogue Cornhole, Gay Polo League, Old Dominion Dinkers pickleball, Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference and Potomac Curling Club.

Also offered locally are golf, sailing, roller skating, adventuring, hiking, bowling, cheerleading, cycling, triathlon, dancesport, darts, hockey, orienteering, racquetball, road running, walking, scuba diving, ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, skiing, volleyball, women’s roller derby, water polo and music ensemble.  

Information on the sports teams and sports clubs can be found at teamdc.org.