Sports can be a great way to stay fit, get off the couch, and make new friends. But as a national movement pushes for restrictions on transgender athletes, it may be daunting to join a sport where you may not feel welcome.
Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, here are local sports organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community in Philly.
Are you interested in kickball? What about bowling? Bocce? Stonewall Sports offers all that and more in its recreational sports leagues. Stonewall also offers wellness programming such as yoga, if you’re looking for something more lowkey.
You don’t need a beach to still play this sport. If you’re new to volleyball or just want to play for fun, Queer Volleyball hosts casual meetups twice a month at either Clark Park or Blue Bell Park.
Philly Queer Hoopers invites players of all skill levels to participate in its weekly pickup games. The schedule changes each season. Currently, if you’re looking for some friendly competition, swing by Palumbo Recreation Center on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. If you want something less intense, you can join a session at Kingsessing Recreation Center on either Thursdays at 6 p.m. or Sundays at 4 p.m.
No, this group isn’t about pickling (though someone should make one for that). Pickleball has been having a moment and this group is making sure the queer community isn’t excluded. Pickle Me Queer originally started out on the tennis courts at 47th and Spruce Streets. The group’s home base is now Kingsessing Recreation Center. If you’ve never played pickleball (or still don’t exactly understand what it is), there’s an introductory lesson before each session. At the beginning of each month Pickle Me Queer releases its meetup schedule.
Philadelphia Falcons formed in 1989 as a small group playing soccer on South Philly softball fields. As time went on, so did the need for safe places for LGBTQ+ players. The group would later grow large enough to join leagues and out-of-state tournaments. The Falcons formed its women’s teams in 1998. The group now has over 500 members playing in men’s, women’s, and nonbinary teams.
The Philly chapter of Outloud Sports invites anyone to join a league, no try-outs required. The sports offerings vary but during the spring and summer, new and seasoned athletes can join leagues for cornhole, soccer, kickball, basketball, and billiards.
The Philadelphia Rugby Football Club is the third oldest historically women’s club in the country, having formed in 1976. Since then, the club has affirmed its strong stance in accepting players who are transgender and/or nonbinary.
Hanging out regularly with the PRFC is the Philadelphia Gryphons. Formed in 2003 as the first men’s rugby club in the city, the Gryphons are now a gender-inclusive team. Before each competitive season, the Gryphons organize a Rugby 101 on-boarding clinic. The team is a member of International Gay Rugby and competes in Division I play.
Fly high on this squad. Founded in 2019, Philly Cheer Elite is made up of LGBTQ+ members and allies. The team uses their cheerleading skills to raise funds for LGBTQ+ organizations.
The Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League first came together in 2009 at Tarken Recreation Center. Now the league runs local seasons each fall and spring and has two travel teams competing in the National Gay Flag Football League. GPFFL is transparent in its mission of combatting discrimination and creating spaces for LGBTQ+ athletes.
