2023 North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance Cup Coming to Salt Lake City

The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) announced it will host its annual LGBTQ+ softball tournament in Salt Lake City May 26-28, 2023, at the Salt Lake Regional Athletic Complex.
 
The top elite A and B division teams from NAGAAA organizations all over the United States and Canada will compete to determine the NAGAAA Cup Champions. The tournament also allows teams to qualify for the Gay Softball World Series. The games are open to the public and the entire community will be invited to cheer on the teams and join in a big party to bring the entire community together in support and unity.
 
Salt Lake was chosen by NAGAAA over other locations, not only for its natural beauty but because of the warm welcome extended by the entire culture. Salt Lake has an active and robust population that is excited to be involved in the event and organizers were impressed with how beautifully everyone here comes together.
 
“Salt Lake was the complete opposite of our expectations, we were so surprised at everyone’s friendliness, and their loving, welcoming attitude of acceptance.” said John Deffee, NAGAAA Commissioner. “This warm reception will be a big piece of our memory of our time here. With 45 years as an organization, we are built and founded on community. What started with a shared passion for softball turned into something much more profound. We change people’s lives and allow them a safe place to unapologetically be themselves. And that’s what we found in Salt Lake.”
 
With more than 80 percent of NAGAAA’s teams located on the West Coast, attendance is expected to be robust. With an estimated 1,100 attendees, NAGAAA is anticipated to have an estimated economic impact to the community of more than $1 million.
 
“We enjoy an open-minded, inclusive culture, where kind, open-hearted people embrace their differences and encourage new perspectives," said Clay Partain, managing director of Sports Salt Lake. “Hosting NAGAAA in Salt Lake is a perfect example of this. Here, progressive ideals, traditional roots and modern industries pull together to make a different, better way and we are excited to extend a warm welcome to them."
 
"We're proud to welcome the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance to the NAGAAA Softball Cup here in Salt Lake City," said Tanya Hawkins, Co-CEO at the Utah Pride Center. "LGBTQ+ representation in athletics is critical to creating a safe and welcoming place at sporting events. In welcoming NAGAAA, we hope that every participant enjoys the competition and camaraderie on the field and takes the opportunity to enjoy one of the most LGBTQ+ affirming cities in America."

Bringing NAGAAA here has required a team effort from the community. Partners include: Visit Salt Lake, the Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, Salt Lake Pride League, Utah Sports Commission, SLC Stonewall, LGBTQ Chamber, and Communify.me.

GDASA: Denver's LGBTQ Sports Association

Looking for a safe and positive atmosphere for the LGBTQA community through engaging social and competitive sports within Colorado?

Greater Denver Area Sports Association welcomes and encourages everybody to join and participate. And more leagues are coming soon!

The MileHighGayGuy 2013 Year In Gay Sports Retrospective:

By Todd Craig and David Smith

2013 saw hard-fought progress for LGBT equality on several fronts: in federal law books, in the church pews, and amongst the population as a whole for starters. Yet on the hardwood courts and the grass fields of the sports world where Americans prefer their athletic heroes with equal parts testosterone and John Wayne bravado, the discussion about gay rights and gay acceptance erupted like it never has before.

One of the biggest sports stories of the year, and the one that ushered gay rights to the forefront of the sports world, was the coming out of NBA basketball player Jason Collins. The story, which broke on the May 6 cover of Sports Illustrated, began with the line, “I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.”

Of course, athletes have been coming out of the closet for years, and coming out on the cover of a magazine hasn’t been unheard of either. Yet, none of those celebrities stood seven feet tall. Nor had they out-muscled the NBA’s best over the course of a twelve-year career on the hardwoods. None of those magazines happened to be Sports Illustrated either.

The story served as flash point for the sports media, athletes, and the country as a whole. Reactions twittered in from athletes all over the sports world. The vast, overwhelming majority proved positive and supporting. Even the story of writing the story became a part of the news cycle. Gone, it seemed, were the Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova days of tearful admissions, lost sponsors, and tabloid stalkers. The sports world, it seemed, had evolved.

Even before Collins had come out, Nike offered a sponsorship to the first openly gay athlete who is currently active, even going a step further by producing and selling products and merchandise to celebrate Pride and the LGBT community. From shirts to rainbow shoes, making a significant statement at LGBT and Non-LGBT events all year.

As the discussion reverberated throughout the sports world, more athletes and more sports became involved. Professional soccer player Robbie Rogers came out of the closet and then came out onto the field to play as an out and proud gay athlete. Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer, announced his orientation to the world before a big fight, even going so far as to pose in a rainbow pride undies at his weigh-in.

Rumors also swirled that the National Football League would also soon have its own openly gay player. Sports Illustrated's lead football writer Peter King used the Jackie Robinson movie 42 as an analogy to the trailblazing place where the sports world was with gay rights. His football website for Sports Illustrated even went as far as to detail two gay former NFL players’ lives, their coming out processes, and feelings about the out players playing in the NFL here.

This weekend! Gay Bowl XII Denver 2012

Gay Bowl XII in Denver takes place this weekend (September 21-23) and promises plenty of action for gay sports fans in the Mile High City.

According to their website,"The Denver Gay Bowl is expected to be the largest Gay Bowl to date, drawing as many as 40 teams with as many as 600 players (and their many supporters) from cities across the U.S. and Canada.  Participating will be former NCAA athletes and even former NFL players."

Gay polo, anyone?

The Gay Polo League is the sole international polo league to be primarily comprised of lesbian and gay players. GPL's mission is to provide the GLBT community with the opportunity to develop and refine the necessary skills for participating in this exceptional sport.

The first-ever International Gay Polo Tournament takes place this year on April 3rd in Wellington, Florida - click here for event information, VIP seating and sponsorship opportunities.

Denver Gay Sports: DATE

Saturday tennis with the Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts is at City Park from 9 -11 a.m. on courts 1-6 and 11. Court 1 is for less experienced players.

Monday tennis is at City Park from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Remember to bring water to stay hydrated and a can of tennis balls.

Also, the group will be holding a potluck picnic and BBQ after tennis at City Park this Saturday, July 25.

Summer schedule for DATE

Saturday tennis now moves to mornings at Denver City Park. Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts have seven courts permitted from 9-11 a.m. every Saturday through the end of August.

They'll be on courts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 each week. All players are welcome to show up early (and many do) but court permits do not start until 9 a.m. so you will need to work around other players before then.

DATE's court permits are included on the back of the facility use signs posted by each of the gates. Remember to bring water with you and stay hydrated while you play.

Monday tennis also continues next Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Denver City Park. DATE has four courts permitted on Monday evenings (courts 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Climb the DATE Ladder

Today is the last day to sign up for the DATE singles and double tennis ladders if you want to be placed by level. You can still sign up after May 12th, but will be placed at the bottom of the ladder and you will need to work your way up to your level. Please contact Steve Kelliher directly at sgkelliher@gmail.com if you want to play on the ladder or have any questions about it. You must be a DATE member to play on the ladder.

DATE tennis ladder coming up

The Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts' tennis ladders for both singles and doubles will be starting on May 15th. You must be a member of DATE (with your dues submitted) in order to play on the ladder and access the private areas of the DATE website (including the member roster and tennis ladders). For more information or to sign up for the ladders, please contact the DATE Ladder Czar, Steve Kelliher at sgkelliher@gmail.com.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is Number One for biking

Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has helped write the history of mountain biking and is now home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Today, some of the sport’s most thrilling chapters are still unfolding in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, with both classic and cutting-edge events and backcountry trails straight out of mountain and road biker fantasies.

In fact, the readers of Bike magazine named Crested Butte the Best Destination in an article about the “33 Best Rides in North America” that appeared in the March 2009 issue. Crested Butte’s Teocalli Ridge received the Best Climb nod, Deadman’s Gulch landed the Best Tight ‘N Twisty accolade, and the infamous 401 Trail received an honorable mention for Trail of the Year.

Also, riding Crested Butte was the number one item on Mountain Bike Action’s “100 Things Every Mountain Biker Needs to Do” list in the magazine’s March 2009 issue.


Lots more - including informaiton on a ton of rides - after the jump.

Biking is fully engrained in the experience of visiting and living in Gunnison-Crested Butte. Townie bikes are common forms of transportation, even in winter, and many people just park their cars as it’s easy to ride a two-wheeler to epic trails, museums, concerts, shops, restaurants and nightlife. In fact, two of the state’s biggest summer rides will be passing through, with Ride the Rockies overnighting in Gunnison on June 15, and Bicycle Tour of Colorado spending two nights and a day off in Crested Butte on June 24 and 25.

Pitch in to help local riders with trail work days organized by the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, www.cbmba.org, and Gunnison Trails, www.gunnisontrails.com, and maybe they’ll show you a favorite ride or two. To view trail reports and sign up for email trail report newsletters, visit www.coloradomountainbiking.info.
2009 biking events

April 30 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Gunnison
May 7, 14 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Gunnison
May 24 Original Growler Mountain Bike Race, Gunnison
May, June & August Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Gunnison & Crested Butte
June 6 National Trails Day – Trail Work Day with Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, Crested Butte Area
June 15 – 16 Ride the Rockies Overnight Stay in Gunnison
June 20 – 21 9th Annual Wildflower Rush Mountain States Cup Race, Mt. Crested Butte
June 24 – 26 Bicycle Tour of Colorado, Overnight Stays & Day Off in Crested Butte
June 24 – 28 29th Annual Fat Tire Bike Week, Crested Butte
June 27 – 28 Bridges of the Butte (24-hour townie tour), Crested Butte
June 27 Loco-Motive Adventure Race, Gunnison
July 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6, 13 PowerAde Pinnacle Summer Race Series, Mt. Crested Butte
Aug. 15 – 16 7th Annual 24 Hours in the Sage, Gunnison
Aug. 22 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series, Crested Butte or Gunnison (TBA)
Sept. 12 – 13 33rd Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, Crested Butte
Sept. 17, Oct. 8 & 29 Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series

GUNNISON GROWLER MOUNTAIN BIKE Series, Gunnison, April - October
The fourth annual Gunnison Growler Mountain Bike Series will take place on select Thursday evenings this spring, summer and fall (April 30; May 7 and 14; Sept. 17; Oct. 8 and 29) at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area in Gunnison. A race also is tentatively being planned for Aug. 22 on the 401 trail in Crested Butte; if permits are not secured, it will be held at Hartman Rocks. This classic mountain bike race/fun ride series is for all ages and abilities with men’s and women’s divisions in four categories: single-speed open, beginner, sport and expert. The races begin at 5:45 p.m., with registration starting on-site at 4 p.m. The cost is $15 per race. Proceeds benefit Gunnison Trails. For more information, visit www.gunnisontrails.com or call Brian Riepe at (970) 641-1804.

Original growler, Gunnison, May 24
Kick off the mountain biking race season on Memorial Day weekend in Gunnison. Dave Wiens, the local racer who made big headlines last year by beating Lance Armstrong in the Leadville 100 and has plenty of other impressive victories to his name, is one of the organizers of this second annual mountain bike race so you know it has to be good. Register for the full race, which includes two 32-mile laps at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreational Area or the Half Growler to cover one lap. Each lap will climb around 4,000 vertical feet, so participants must be proficient single track riders and in good shape. The race starts at 7 a.m. and will be followed by food and fun for participants. All proceeds benefit Gunnison Trails. To register, go to www.GunnisonTrails/events/growler. The cost is $45 with a cap of 200 riders.

For people looking to really challenge their minds and bodies over the weekend, take part in the Sage Burner Trail Race, a 25K and 50K running race at Hartman Rocks on May 23, organized by Western State College at Hartman Rocks. Find out more at www.western.edu/sageburner.

9th Annual Wildflower Rush, Mt. Crested Butte, June 20 – 21
Come discover what real Crested Butte single track is all about at the 9th Annual Wildflower Rush, the fourth stop on this year’s Mountain States Cup (MSC) regional mountain bike racing series.

Held at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte, the event begins with a Cross Country race on June 20, featuring a 10-mile course on the Butte’s legendary web of winding single track, climbing 1,800 feet per lap. A free Shimano Kids Race also will be held on Saturday. On June 21, the Crested Butte Downhill and new Super-D will give racers plenty of challenges. For more information and registration, visitwww.racemsc.com.

29th Annual Fat Tire Bike Week, Crested Butte, June 24 – 28
Voted Best Festival in Bike magazine’s third annual reader poll, Fat Tire Bike Week not only celebrates Crested Butte as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, it is the world’s oldest mountain bike festival. This year, FTBW coincides with a Bicycle Tour of Colorado visit and Bridges of the Butte, bringing road, mountain and town biking face to face in a town that embraces them all.

During FTBW festivities, local riders lead beginner, intermediate and advanced tours on Crested Butte area’s trails, and there is plenty of time to socialize at the daily expo with demo bike test rides, live music, and a beer garden and food court. The gutsy and entertaining Chainless Race down Kebler Pass is an annual favorite, and the new Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race will cover 40 miles of classic Crested Butte single track. Other highlights include a historic townie tour, cycling celebrity party, Project Rwanda benefit concert, and townie bike facelift parade. For information, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (800) 545-4505 or visit www.ftbw.com.

Bridges of the Butte, Crested Butte, June 27 - 28
This 24-hour townie bike tour takes riders on many of the bridges in downtown Crested Butte and runs from 3 p.m. on June 27 to 3 p.m. on June 28. Enter as an individual and cruise all 24 hours or enter as a team. There is no limit to team size, and costumes are encouraged but not required. This unique event benefits the Adaptive Sports Center. Registration costs $24 per participant with pre-registration preferred. Register online at www.adaptivesports.org. For information, call (970) 349-5075, ext. 107.

Loco-Motive Adventure Race, Gunnison, June 27
Team Salmon – Crested Butte has traveled the world on the adventure racing circuit and is helping the Gunnison River Festival come up with a dandy mix of kayaking the Gunnison River, running 11K and biking 25k at Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreational Area, and ringing the bell to finish at Gunnison Whitewater Park. The festival runs from June 26 – 28. For more information about the Loco-Motive Adventure Race, which starts at 9 a.m., visit www.gunnisonriverfestival or call (970) 596-7094.

PowerAde Pinnacle Race Series, Mt. Crested Butte, July 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6, 13
This recreational racing series created in 1998 by Crested Butte Mountain Resort is geared toward fun and competition for beginner to expert riders split up into 12 racing categories. The races consist of varying lengths and difficulty on Mt. Crested Butte’s network of trails and single-track and take place on five Thursday evenings in July and August at 5:45 p.m. At the ski area base, a free Shimano Youth Series for kids is offered at the same time. Food, beer and prizes follow every race. For more information (970) 349-2221 or visit www.skicb as summer nears.

7th ANNUAL 24 HOURS IN THE SAGE, Gunnison, August 15 – 16
Gunnison’s Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area is the backdrop for a 24-hour relay bike race where individual entrants and teams ride a 13-mile loop continuously from noon Saturday, Aug. 15 to noon Sunday, Aug. 16. The person/team in each category with the most laps wins. A 12-hour race that starts at midnight and finishes at noon also is offered. Additional highlights for the weekend include live entertainment, the World Townie Championships (with entrants riding single-speed bikes with mandatory fenders and either horns or fuzzy seat covers) and more. The event typically attracts approximately 200 racers, with proceeds benefiting community projects in Gunnison. To register or for more information, contact (303) 507-1148 or visit www.24hoursinthesage.com.

33rd ANNUAL PEARL PASS MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR, Crested Butte to Aspen, Sept. 12 – 13
The 33rd annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour, the oldest mountain bike event in the world, runs from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass on Sept. 12 – 13. In 1976, the first group of 15 or 20 cyclists from the Butte rode one-speed town bikes over the 12,705-foot Pearl Pass to Aspen in response to a group of Aspenites riding their motorcycles over Pearl Pass and parking them in front of the old Grubstake Saloon (now the Brick Oven) in Crested Butte. The Crested Butte rowdies pulled up in downtown Aspen in front of the historic Hotel Jerome upon arrival. By the early 1980s, the expert ride had grown and become a weeklong event known as Fat Tire Bike Week. Today, Fat Tire Bike Week is held in June and the Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour is in September to honor the origins of mountain biking in Crested Butte. For information, call (970) 349-6817 or visit www.mtnbikehalloffame.com.


DATE kicks off new season this weekend

* click to embiggen and read or find out more about Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts here

Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts get ready to kick off 2009 season

The first weekend in May will mark the start of the new season for Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts. Just like last season, DATE will be playing on Saturdays and Mondays at Gates Tennis Center and Denver City Park.

On Friday, May 1st, DATE will have a Kick-Off Party at Game-Set-Match which will include snacks and beverages and specials on tennis wear and gear to get you ready for the season. This will be a great opportunity for new players to meet current members and for continuing members to reconnect.

The first tennis date will be Saturday, May 2nd from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm at Gates Tennis Center and the first beer bust of the year will be Sunday, May 3rd at the Wrangler from 4 pm to 8 pm.

College wrestler reinstated, undefeated after gay porn scandal

A University of Nebrask wrestler who was dismissed from his team after it was discovered he had filmed solo porn videos for a gay website has been reinstated by the college wrestling governing body and has since been undefeated.

Vote Colorado's G-Force as Outsports.com's Best Gay Sports Team in the World

Colorado's elite hockey team G-Force is one of the last 16 teams vying to be named Outsports.com's Best Gay Sports Team in the World and they are trying to make it to the Great 8 for the next round of voting.

Go to www.votegforce.com and place you vote for G-Force.

Voting for this round is open until midnight tonight.

G-Force needs your votes

Colorado's elite gay hockey team, G-Force, is in the running to be named Best Gay Sports Team in the World by Outsports.com but need your votes to clinch the title.

They are currently behind in votes and need you to take just a few seconds to go here and vote for them.

The mission of G-Force Hockey is to break down negative stereotypes about gay athletes by enlightening the GLBT and mainstream communities as to the parity in skill, competitiveness, teamwork, pride and courage that exists between gay and heterosexual athletes. The team has been featured on ESPN.com and even has their own documentary, 'Out of the Neutral Zone'.

Voting ends tomorrow night so be sure to vote here and to tell your friends to vote.

Vote G-Force for Outsports' Best Gay Sports Group

G-Force sailed through the first round of voting in the Outsports Best Gay Sports Group poll and are now falling behind in Round Two.

Be sure to take a minute and vote for G-Force (again) as the 2008 gay sports organization of the year www.votegforce.com and help them move from the field of 32 to the sweet 16.

Denver Gay Flag Football

Established in June 2008, the Denver Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League (DGLFFL) is an organization of men and women that promotes the positive social and athletic enjoyment of flag football. Early registration is open now through February 15. Visit www.denvergayflagfootball.com for more information. Man, this sounds fun. I don't seem to have any spare time these days but this might just be too tempting an activity to pass up. -via Colorado Queer Straight Alliance

Join the Gay and Lesbian Sierrans and get OUT and about in Colorado

The Gay and Lesbian Sierrans of Colorado are always looking for new outings leaders and event organizers. Would you like to organize a hike on your favorite trail or take a fun group to a great restaurant or movie? Organizing these events is really not as difficult as it might seem. Contact Jacob at jacob.morgan@rmc.sierraclub.org to learn how to get started.

I wouldn't mind hiking behind homeboy in the blue shorts.

Look at them thick legs.

Nice.

Elitch Lanes: The Best Bowling in Denver

Tired of the same old New Year’s Resolutions? Get in shape, eat better, stop smoking, get off heroin – always the same old stuff. How about something new in 2009 – something like “have more fun”? Well, look no further than Denver's historic Elitch Lanes bowling alley.

Never bowled before? No worries. Remember, the goal is to have fun. Everybody throws a few gutter balls now and then – and nobody’s looking. The object of bowling is pretty simple – roll a ball down a lane and try to knock down as many pins as you can. But as simple as it sounds, it’s anything but boring.

And if one of your resolutions is to cut down on your spending, you’ve come to the right sport. Bowling is one of the few affordable sports left – no special outfits or equipment required – so you can bowl as often as you want. The shoes you need are available for rent at the lanes, and balls are supplied – so all you need to do is bring yourself.

Elitch Lanes has lots of specials, too, so let’s get this party started and find out all about them after the jump.




Monday’s special is Bowl Your Butts Off – any three hours of bowling is just $7, and shoes are included. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 p.m. to close, check out Quarter Mania, with an entry fee of $5 and 25 cent games, shoes, and hot dogs. And Wednesday (except New Year’s Eve) is College Nite from 8 p.m. to close, with $1 games, $1 shoes, and $1 drafts, and you don’t have to be a college student – or even look like one – to partake. If you’d rather bowl at another time, regular bowling prices are $2.95 per game and $3.50 shoe rental before 6 p.m., and $4.50 a game and $3.50 shoe rental after 6 p.m. Call Elitch Lanes for reservations so you know you’ll have a lane when you arrive.

If you decide to take your bowling to the next level, get a group of friends together and try out the Pizza & Beer League. Teams of four can choose from Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday night, with leagues starting in January, May, and September. For $12 per person, each team gets a large pizza and a pitcher of soda or beer, along with three games of bowling per team member. You can also schedule a birthday party or corporate party at Elitch Lanes. There are various party packages to choose from, so make your next party something unique, with some real fun that your guests will actually remember.

Why choose Elitch Lanes? First of all, it’s locally owned and operated, rather than a corporate entity. And you always know what you’re going to get. “We don’t change programs,” says owner Cal Eikenger. “We’ve had the same programs for six and a half years. And guess what? We don’t change hours of operation. We’ve had the same hours of operation for six and a half years. And we’ve had almost the same staff for six and a half years. It’s consistency.” Plus, Elitch Lanes is gay friendly, so you know you’ll be welcomed and treated right. And it’s a great place to take a date.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff, regular hours, consistent specials, and affordable fun – what more could you want? And fun is your new resolution, right?

So why start the year out with a strike against you – the same old resolution that you know you’re going to break – when you can start the year out with a strike in your favor and money to spare. Start the year out at Elitch Lanes, and support the local businesses that support you.



Calling all Snowbunnies

The new CQSA group 'Snowbunnies' is for anybody interested in winter activities, regardless of gender or orientation. Whether you're into boarding, skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, or just sipping hot chocolate in the lodge, 'Snowbunnies' is the group for you.