Compete August 2017

GSWS MORE THAN SOFTBALL

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AUGUST 2017 • VOL. 11 NO. 8 $3.95 • COMPETENETWORK.COM

AUGUST 2017 Volume 11, Issue 8 PUBLISHERS Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com Patrick Gamble • patrick@competenetwork.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com Sports Editor David Smith • davids@competenetwork.com Health Editor Dr. John Sutherland • johns@competenetwork.com Style Editor Bobby Ciletti • bobby@competenetwork.com Graphic Design Assistant Matt Boyd • mattb@competenetwork.com Field Ambassador Alfonzo Chavez • alfonzo@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Ian Colgate, Jared Garduno, Jeff Kagan, Kelli Kulick, Miriam Latto, Bryan Lee, Brian Patrick and Jeff Sloan Staff Photographer Ariel Stevens • ariel@competenetwork.com Sales & Partnerships Jared Garduno • jared@competenetwork.com Administration Bethany Harvat • bethany@competenetwork.com Copyright © 2017 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved.

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COURTESY OF NAGAAA ARCHIVES

18 NAGAAA – 40 YEARS OF LOVE, FAMILY AND GAY SOFTBALL

• LOVE AND SOFTBALL • SOFTBALL IS A FAMILY AFFAIR • KNOXVILLE WOMEN MAKE GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES HISTORY

KICK–OFF

10 LEFT FIELD

Speed Read, Grandstanding, Thumbs UP/DOWN

17 OP-ED

The Importance of Softball

DEPARTMENTS 24 MVP

Yusef Cichy-Parker

27 INTERVIEW

WeHo Sports Festival Turns Three

31 ATHLETE

New Mini-Series on Trans Athletes Now on Olympic Channel

SPORTS 34 36 38

One Team—One Dream The Lazy, Hazy Days of Softball Gay Softball World Series Celebrates in Austin

OVERTIME

40 HEALTH

Love and the Impersonal Personal Brain

42 GYM BAG 44 EVENTS 46 STYLE

Bag Trends and Tips

COMPETE ONLINE

Check out Compete stories, videos and more online at: competenetwork.com

COVER ATHLETE Seth Melani SPORT Softball fan PHOTOGRAPHER Courtesy of NAGAAA Archives

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 5

BY ERIC CARLYLE

WITH YOU

THE VALUE OF TEAM SPORTS @CompeteEric

H

aving grown up playing baseball, I understand the value of team sports. When you play a game with eight other people on the field you quickly learn the importance of working together.

I was lucky to have played the game with my brother and two of my cousins. I first played Little League at the age of nine. I started in the outfield but quickly moved infield where I played first base. I was right handed but my left handed cousin taught me to pitch. Not knowing any better, I was a right-handed batter who pitched as a leftie. Thankfully, I only had to fill in and pitch a couple of times!

My strength was really in the batter’s box. I had a lot of natural power when I connected with the ball. When I got up to bat I was often able to hit a double or better. Although I do remember a time I slid into first and completely missed the base by a yard. Luckily, I crawled to the base before I was put out.

As we put together this very special issue celebrating 40 years of NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic AlIiance, I want to acknowledge the importance of team sports since it was baseball (and later rugby and soccer) that taught me a lot about teamwork. The organization has provided both opportunity and access for the LGBTQ community to participate in organized softball competition in safe environments throughout the U.S. and Canada – now that’s real teamwork.

While I was fortunate to play sports growing up, many athletes that will play in NAGAAA’s 41st Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) next month missed out on an early opportunity to play on a team. Some people didn’t think they were athletic enough, some didn’t have the money to play and perhaps others simply didn’t know how much fun team sports can be. But thanks to the efforts of groups like NAGAAA and their GSWS 2017, many of those athletes now have the opportunity to play and excel in sports.

Maybe I should grab my cleats and hit the baseball field this year.

With You,

Eric Carlyle, SDL Publisher/CEO eric@competenetwork.com

PS: Speaking of teams, Patrick Gamble, our associate publisher is moving on to a new opportunity. He has been an important member of our team since 2013 and while we will miss his dedication to Compete and the LGBTQ community, we wish him well in his new endeavor!

While we won’t be working with Patrick anymore, he will forever be a dear friend to everyone at Compete and we dedicate this issue to him.

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| COMPETE | August 2017

BY CONNIE WARDMAN

FROM THE CATBIRD SEAT

COMPETE EDITORS

BASEBALL: OUR NATIONAL MIRROR

W

@CompeteConnie

hether you play baseball or its (almost) twin, softball, of all the sports that offer us a mirror to who we are as a nation, this is the one sport we always nostalgically refer to as the American or national pastime.

Many books have been written about the pros AND the cons of using the game as a metaphor for the health of our society at any given time.

In his “Baseball” book and documentary, renowned American filmmaker and producer Ken Burns said that baseball is a metaphor for democracy while Robert Elias, both the editor and a contributing writer to “Baseball and the American Dream: Race, Class, Gender, and the National Pastime” contends that it’s a metaphor for sexism.

But enter NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance that formed in 1977 to provide safe spaces for LGBGQ men and women to participate in organized softball. From its inception the organization has welcomed women as members. Already facing discrimination for being gay, softball players weren’t willing to discriminate against lesbians wanting to play in a safe environment.

After all, in 1977 Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official in a major city when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. But that stirred an immediate and virulent backlash with Anita Bryant becoming a face of that anti-gay bigotry that culminated the next year in Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone being assassinated.

As a result of years of discrimination, NAGAAA is one of many LGBTQ sports organizations that also welcomes straight or ally players. While professional baseball may reflect some of the negative aspects of sports, like homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism and sexism, the international organization continues to welcome all those who play softball for the love of the game. So to all NAGAAA’s board members, officials, member city leagues, teams and members, Happy 40th Anniversary!

While much of this issue is devoted to softball, don’t miss the other interesting stories on the upcoming WeHo Sports Festival and the launch of "Identity," an original mini-series on transgender athletes produced by Vice Media for the Olympic Channel. Our sports reporter David Smith interviewed Greg Groggel, the brains behind the series.

Our Health and Style editors also weigh in on safe sex and the latest bag trends and tips – all-in-all, lots of good reading in this issue to enjoy!

Keep Smiling,

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDL Editor-in-chief connie@competenetwork.com

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SPORTS EDITOR David Smith With a B.S. in exercise science and nutrition from MSU Denver, David is ACSM, AFAA and AFPAI-certified and a medal-winning swimmer who conquered obesity by losing over 50 pounds.

HEALTH EDITOR Dr. John Sutherland A graduate of Harvard and the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. John Sutherland is a board certified internist and cardiologist and the founder of the North Mountain Cardio programs for health and well-being.

STYLE EDITOR Bobby Ciletti A graduate of Boston University, Bobby is a lifestyle and travel expert and founder of TheDaysoftheChic. com, an online destination for simply elegant living.

Twitter @bobbyciletti

ASANAseries.org September 16th - 23rd, 2018 LOGO & AD DESIGNED BY:

LEFT FIELD

KICK OFF

SPEED READ ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION INITIATES GENDER IDENTITY TRAINING

Online gender identity training is now required for all minor hockey associations across the Canadian province of Ontario, part of the Ontario Hockey Federation’s commitment to educate its over 30,000 coaches and trainers about gender identity and transgender inclusiveness. Explaining the gender spectrum, the training also provides scenarios where they learn about accommodating transgender athletes’ needs, going from a comfortable changing room to dealing with potential discrimination.

Coaches who have taken the training claim it’s very helpful but there are challenges, such as a physical revamping of outdated facilities and questions on how drug testing will change to accommodate trans athletes taking required hormones. Heather Paquette, a mother with two sons in minor hockey is happy with the training since it mirrors a lot of her values, saying "I think it's evolution and it's bound to come."

GARETH THOMAS CHALLENGES HOMOPHOBES Retired Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas has challenged homophobic internet trolls to repeat their abuse to his face in a new BBC Wales documentary. Thomas, who came out in 2009, has addressed internet homophobic football (rugby) fans who have posted abuse about the Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. The documentary coincides with the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexual acts between consenting male adults in the U.K. and follows Thomas’ personal work to eliminate homophobia in rugby and to gauge potential support for a gay player to come out today.

RYAN LOCHTE – RIO CHARGES DROPPED: ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR COMEBACK AT END OF BAN A Brazilian appellate court has dismissed a criminal case against six-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ryan Lochte who, after a night of heavy drinking claimed that he and teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jimmy Feigen and Jack Conger had been robbed at gunpoint by police at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Lochte has announced plans to return to international competition upon completing his ban imposed by the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Swimming for the incident. On social media he said he’s targeting the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Referring to his son Caiden born on June 8, he later tweeted, “It’s been a long suspension but it’s over, I’ve learned and became a better man from it …. now let’s go #2020 #teamtyr #2020isforyoucaiden."

WEDDING OF ELENA DELLE DONNE AND FIANCÉE IS FIRST SAME-SEX DREAM WEDDING FOR THE KNOT Elena Delle Donne, the 2015 WNBA MVP is well-known not just for her basketball prowess with the Chicago Sky and now the Washington Mystics but also for her close family ties and willingness to devote her time and talents to helping others.

Delle Donne announced her engagement to long-time girlfriend Amanda Clifton in 2016. They have been selected as The Knot’s 2017 Dream Wedding couple, making their's the first same-sex wedding the company has chosen to honor.. Since 2000 The Knot

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| COMPETE | August 2017

has partnered with NBC’s “The Today Show” to offer Dream Weddings.

To honor the couple’s desire to give back, the November 3 wedding in New York City will feature sustainable choices by keeping the environment in mind with all post-celebration extra food given to homeless shelters and flowers to local hospitals.

Rather than gifts, the couple will be creating a charity registry on TheKnot.com to enable family, friends and fans to contribute to the Elena Delle Donne Foundation. Clifton is the director of the foundation that benefits the special needs community and those afflicted with Lyme disease. Delle Donne was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2008 and she devotes much of her free time caring for her older sister Lizzie who was born deaf, blind and autistic.

NFL READY FOR OPENLY GAY PLAYER Ryan O’Callaghan, the former Patriots and Chiefs lineman who retired from the NFL in 2011, recently came out as gay on Outsports. In an interview with Sports Illustrated O’Callaghan said that the league has changed since he was playing and that today’s NFL is ready for an openly gay player.

ALLY LACROSSE PLAYER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CYBER BULLYING LGBTQ COMMUNITY On Sunday, June 25th in support of equality and LGBTQ rights, Paul Rabil, a straight professional lacrosse player for the U.S. Men’s National Team posted a picture on Instagram of his lacrosse stick on which he’d drawn rainbow colors. He was shocked to see the number of hateful comments he received, saying he had “flashbacks to my adolescent sports days, particularly the ‘locker room talk’ that occurred. There was gender, racial, religious and sexual orientation epithets flung around, pseudo-protectively labeled as ‘trash talk’ between opponents.”

Saying that silence is unacceptable, he now calls on people who see cyber bullying on any social media page to consider taking positive action in three ways: 1. Write a supporting comment on your friend’s post.

2. Join a dedicated Facebook page and submit examples of positive acts that promote a better culture of diversity and equality on and offline.

3. Report bullying to the internet service provider and block those accounts.

CONGRATULATIONS GO TO …

Sue Bird, WNBA star point guard for the Seattle Storm who announced that she is gay and since last fall has been dating Megan Rapinoe, star midfielder of the Seattle Reign who came out in 2012. Congratulations also go to openly gay British race walker Tom Bosworth for winning the world record for the fastest one mile race walk.

WIMBLEDON UNDIES CHECK In a case of tradition gone awry, Wimbledon is so serious about its all-white dress code that three junior boys players were required to pull down the waistbands of their shorts on the court so officials could check the color of their underwear.

KICKOFF

GRANDSTANDING LETTERS TO COMPETE MAGAZINE

SHE’S GOT SPIRIT (JUNE 2017) I was really impressed by your recent article on Atlanta Dream basketballer Layshia Clarendon. She seems to be laid back, smart, athletic – a real dream! As a huge WNBA fan I hope to see more of Layshia and other players featured in Compete.

Rick Jenkins

COMPETE READER SURVEY Favorite Softball Equipment Glove 15%

Mooresville, Indiana HOT DOC (JULY 2017) OMG! Your July cover featuring Dr. Babak Dadvand is my favorite! Dr. Dadvand is not your typical LGBT magazine cover model but that is what makes it so refreshing. When you say “diversity” you really mean it. I’m excited to see what other covers you come up with in the future.

LEFT FIELD

Bat 45% Ball 40%

Shane Lemon Los Angeles

TALK TO US! Submissions to Compete should include the writer’s name, address and contact phone number and should be sent by email to letters@competenetwork.com. Letters may be edited by Compete and become the property of Media Out Loud, LLC.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 11

KICKOFF

LEFT FIELD

SPORTS QUIZ

A. USA beat China for the gold; Australia finished 3rd with Japan in 4th place.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

?

Q. Who won the Olympic gold medal in softball at the 1996 Atlanta games?

Source: www.funtrivia.com: author, avenger

SCOTT FRANTZ, OFFENSIVE TACKLE FOR KANSAS STATE

CONOR MCGREGOR AND FLOYD MAYWEATHER

… for coming out publicly as gay in an interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Already an NFL draft prospect, he said he’s never felt so loved and accepted in his life after telling his team’s coaching staff and teammates. He’s sharing his story to inspire other LGBTQ kids who fear not being accepted.

… for McGregor using a racial slur when referring to Mayweather in the run-up to their boxing match this month and Mayweather choosing to respond by using a homophobic slur. Those who say there’s no real harm in this trash talk and call it “entertainment” clearly don’t understand its negative impact on those who are black and LGBTQ!

SEATTLE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS … for joining with Athlete Ally in a coordinated effort to support human rights and LGBTQ equality. It included MLB’s Seattle Mariners, NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, MLS’ Sounders FC , WNBA’s Seattle Storm and National Women’s Soccer League Reign FC. It’s the first time a city’s pro sports teams have partnered to support the LGBTQ community.

GUS KENWORTHY, OPENLY GAY FREESKIER … for making ESPN’s iconic “Body Issue” for 2017. It features elite athletes in a variety of sports posing in the buff; athletes also open up about why they’re proud of their bodies. To see all 23 featured athletes, go to www.espn.com/ espn/feature/story/_/page/body/espn-bodyissue-2017.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 13

nagaaasoftball.org (636) 3NAGAAA

gsws2017.org

Photo courtesy of the NAGAAA Archives

Join NAGAA for the Gay Softball World Series in Portland and check out the scenery!

Photo courtesy of the NAGAAA Archives

nagaaasoftball.org (636) 3NAGAAA

Play Out at a NAGAAA Tournament

Upcoming 2017 Tournament Dates

Northern Classic. .................................... Toronto ON ................. 08/04/17 - 08/06/17 K-Town Klassic . ....................................... Knoxville, TN ................08/05/17 - 08/06/17 Indy’s Hit & Run Softball Tourn . ........... Indianapolis, IN ............... 08/11/17 - 08/13/17 Pacific Cup Intl. Softball Tourn ............. Vancouver BC ..............08/26/17 - 08/27/17 Sacramento Camelia Softball Classic .. Sacramento, CA ..........09/01/17 - 09/03/17 Gay Softball World Series ..................... Portland, OR ............... 09/03/17 - 09/10/17 Tournaments listed as of 7/26/17. For a complete list of NAGAAA tournaments and dates, visit nagaaasoftball.org.

IT’S ALMOST HERE!!

2017 Gay Softball World Series Portland, OR - Sept. 3rd to 10th

Congratulations to the Hall of Fame 2017 Induction Class Tim Bias, Portland DebraJean Lowrey, Dallas Warren Mitchell, Boston Brian Redar, Chicago Larry Ruiz, Los Angeles Chuck Saylor, Memphis

Dug Sharpe, Seattle Tony Timmons, Los Angeles Rick Twomey, Boston/LA/San Francisco Gary Vien, Chicago

LOOK WHO’S ON THE

NAGAAA TEAM...

Thank you to our 2017 National Presenting Sponsors

NAGAAA COMMISSIONER

BY CHRIS BOLTON

MORE THAN JUST SOFTBALL: IT’S ABOUT PLAYING ON A TEAM PHOTO COURTESY OF NAGAAA ARCHIVES ASK ANYONE WHO HAS EVER ATTENDED THE NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) and you will hear the often-repeated phrase, “it’s more than just softball.”

Yes, it’s a 10-day event that includes a day-long Board working session; two days of international delegate meetings; and an evening of meetings for committee chairs, managers and coaches. Yes, there is an Opening Ceremony welcoming all the participating teams from the U.S. and Canada. Yes, there are other great events like our annual Hall of Fame dinner, a Charity event, team dinners and lots of social time. And finally, yes, there is definitely softball — five, fun-filled days of great softball competition at all levels, from the serious teams to the “let’s go out and play our best” teams in six divisions (A, B, C, D and two Masters divisions).

But the GSWS is more than great events and awesome softball. It’s a fun vacation with team mates. It’s a place to catch up with old friends and make new ones. It’s a time for our non-blood family members to reunite. It’s an opportunity to fall in love (and sometimes out of it). But most importantly, more often than not it’s a chance to be the athlete you always wanted to be but never got the opportunity to develop or even try while you were growing up.

Being able to be with athletic, like-minded people who are playing softball in a safe and welcoming environment is what the GSWS is really all about.

It’s inviting and encouraging the child who got bullied in elementary school and never got picked for sports to play on a team and be welcomed. It’s saying OK to the teenager who didn’t want to go out for sports in middle school because he feared locker room harassment or worse, being outed, to play on a team without fear. It’s growing into your athleticism as a young adult but still

“I joined a team telling them I was straight because I still didn't want to admit it to myself,” he confessed.

fearing acceptance and athletic ability to develop that ability by playing on a team. No matter what your level or ability, softball has a place for anyone who wants to come out and play on a team.

“I was that child, that teenager and even that young adult.” As commissioner for NAGAAA, I hear this all the time from our members. It’s clear that gay softball changes lives.

One player from Minneapolis told me he had played baseball in college but was petrified that his teammates would find out he was gay. So he kept that secret buried deep inside him. He shared with me another familiar phrase – “I always tried to act so macho but deep down I knew I was different.”

Surfing the internet one day this player saw gay softball teams that were looking for players.

“I went to try out and I had no idea that the competition was so good. I joined a team telling them I was straight because I still didn't want to admit it to myself,” he confessed. “After playing the season with a great bunch of guys, I went to the Gay Softball World Series that year in Columbus, Ohio.”

He concluded by telling me that “I went to the opening ceremonies where I was in awe of the 5,000 athletes hugging and holding hands in public. Tears came to my eyes and I knew at that moment I was with my family. Later that week I came out to my team where I received amazing support. I have no doubt without gay softball I would still be in the closet today pretending to be someone I wasn’t.”

Gay softball really is about more than softball. Rather than just an ordinary game, it’s a game of life where you can find acceptance, love and support as you discover your true identity and come to accept that you no longer need to live in fear of being outed, that you can finally accept and be proud of who you were born to be.

The Gay Softball World Series is a friendly place where people can feel welcomed and included for who they are while also playing some great softball! Join us. Come out and play in Portland at the 2017 GSWS (gaysoftballworldseries.org). I’m looking forward to welcoming you to our growing membership.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

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Photos courtesy of NAGAAA Archives

NAGAAA – 40 YEARS OF LOVE, FAMILY AND GAY SOFTBALL

BY CONNIE WARDMAN

T

his year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance.

While the organization celebrated the 40th anniversary of its flagship tournament, the Gay Softball World Series last year, this year the celebration is about the organization itself, about the leagues and teams of its member cities in the U.S. and Canada and the men and women who for the past 40 years have regularly played their hearts out for the game they love.

A gift for a fortieth-year wedding anniversary is a ruby, historically considered to represent love, energy, passion and a zest for life. While NAGAAA isn’t in the wedding business technically, the ruby couldn’t be a more perfect representation of what NAGAAA members feel they get from the organization. Thanks to NAGAAA member Jeff Sloan, here are three stories of gay and straight softball players that illustrate that love, energy, passion and a zest for life members experience on a regular basis.

As NAGAAA members arrive in Portland, Oregon for the annual Gay Softball World Series on September 4-10, there will intense excitement for the games to begin. But for the many players who count NAGAAA as their adult family of choice, they’ll also be sharing stories, laughter and a beer or two as they reminisce about what they love most – gay softball!

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LOVE & SOFTBALL

L

BY JEFF SLOAN

ove is love. It makes us want to share our feelings, Series, just being a part of a local LGBTQ softball league can experiences and passions with one another. In many provide limitless benefits. Gay softball can be life-changing cases, that love blossoms into a lifetime of partnership and world-altering in the most positive of ways. “I am lucky and memories. We never know when that moment will that I found gay softball so quickly after coming out,” said hit. The moment when you fall in love – it could happen Derick. while enjoying a night out on the town, running errands, at The ability to visualize and experience other LGBTQ church or even at a softball tournament. people excelling and achieving in athletics is powerful.

For Derick White, it was the latter and not the former.

Only LGBTQ people understand what it is like to come out It was a blistering hot Texas day in September of 2014 and tell their story. Playing gay softball allows people to let when Derick first spotted the future love of his life. The their guard down to be who they are in a safe space. “When NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series gathered a record 165 I first came out, I honestly thought that there wasn’t anyone teams together for a week of competition, fun and memoelse like me. I was finally able to be myself and play a game ries. But in the D Division I loved with others who were tournament there was like me,” Derick explained. something special brewing.

Derick and Brad’s “We had just finished relationship gradually playing our last tourney grew stronger after the game of the day on Thursday tournament. The two began and I glanced up and saw this a long-distance relationtall handsome man looking ship for some time with at me,” Derick said. UnforgetDerick flying to Dallas and table relationships often Brad flying to Kansas City. start with a glance or stare, They would plan weekend a passionate look shared getaways together to some between two strangers. Little of their favorite destinations, did they know that from the like New York City. Finally, L - Derick Taylor-White; R - Brad Taylor-White Derick moved to Dallas to moment they locked eyes they would be nearly inseparable from then on. be with Brad and start a new chapter in both of their lives.

Derick’s counterpart in this new love affair was Brad Eventually, a job transfer took them both to Minneapolis Taylor. Brad lived in the Dallas area and played for a where they’ve settled further into their beautiful union.

Dallas team from the tournament host city. Their budding It was in Minneapolis on a Saturday evening in June in relationship would hit a few speed bumps from the start. front of family and friends and many that they had both Their respective teams played each other the very next played softball with that they said their vows. They pledged day with the game resulting in a protest that ousted Brad’s their undying love for one another and combined their last team from the tournament. Additionally, Derick suffered names to Taylor-White. It was a beautiful ceremony for two damage to the PCL in his knee and played the rest of the beautiful people who were brought together by gay softball. tournament on that injured knee. However, through pain Both grooms had a former softball teammate in the and heartache, competition and loss, the bond between wedding party, further solidifying that it wasn’t just their them was undeniable. Their feelings for each other not only relationship that was forged through playing ball. NAGAAA persevered, they continued to blossom. is about relationships, family and making memories that Softball is a fun game, but gay softball and the Gay Softwill last a lifetime. This has been Derick’s experience, too. ball World Series is special. It brings together individuals “Thanks to NAGAAA, I have family all over the country. who at many times have felt left out or marginalized in our I wouldn’t change that aspect of playing gay softball for often-polarized world. Outside of the Gay Softball World anything.

“Trying something new can be intimidating but you will “We had just finished playing find that most people love to play and are genuinely accepting of new players. I owe a lot of my smiles and laughs our last tourney game of the day to playing in NAGAAA. Plus, I found my husband and I on Thursday and I glanced up couldn’t ask for a better award than that,” Derick said.

Sports can be daunting and so can falling in love. Luckand saw this tall handsome man ily for Derick and Brad, they met both those challenges and looking at me," will now have the rest of their lives to reap the rewards.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 19

SOFTBALL IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

BY JEFF SLOAN

T

he infield played a little slower than normal. Then country playing ball with a predominantly gay team at the again, that is how dirt usually tends to play after Gay Softball World Series. However, she had built up a nearly ten inches of rain soak the ground over the bond with this group of men – a bond that went beyond a course of a week. It was on that slow infield and rainsoftball team. She was not just a teammate, especially not soaked ground that three people cashed in on a truly to Daniel and Sammy. She was their mother and the three unique accomplishment. of them embarked on their tournament journey as a family Charlene Dunne traveled to Austin, Texas to compete and as a team. in the NAGAAA 40th Annual Gay Softball World Series in “Their team needed a pitcher,” said Dunne. “I thought August of 2016, just like thousands of others. Thousands that it would be amazing to play ball with my sons,” she of players and coaches made the trek to Texas to try and added. Charlene came through for her boys, just like she realize their dream always has. Softball was of a championship. old hat for Charlene.

Daniel & Sammy She grew up one of Byrom also made the seven children, but trip from the Kansas her mother always City area down made sure that the to Austin for the kids could play sports. tournament. Their Softball runs in the team, the Kansas family, which made it City Cocktails had even more special that just wrapped up the they got to share this Heart of America experience together.

Softball League’s “We have such a strong C Division regular bond,” Daniel said. season title and Daniel and Sammy after several strong naturally gravitated tournament showtowards sports from an ings, they were ready early age with support to go for a World from their mother. “She Series title. never pressured us.

It’s not unusual She just wanted us to for teams to get close be who we are,” added Pictured L-R: Sammy Joe Byrom, Charlene Dunne, Daniel Gene Byrom Daniel. once they’ve been around each other for a while. The word “family” is used a Once she answered her sons’ call to play, the team knew lot by NAGAAA teams to describe the bond they feel with they had an experienced and accurate pitcher to go along one another. In the LGBTQ community, family is often with Daniel’s all-around ability and Sammy’s speed. Mix chosen outside of blood relation by necessity or choice those ingredients with a group of talented players and they due to the many unsupportive parents too often jaded by had the makings of a championship team. The tournament ignorance, stubbornness or religious ideologies. Young was grueling as the rain wrecked the pool play schedule men and women are thrown out of the house or ostracized and drastically changed the playing format. Time limits by their blood relatives because of who they are and who were slashed to get more games in between rain events. they love. Friends and teammates are family in gay softball!

Some games were even played by one pitch rules where a It might have seemed strange to see someone like batter only got one pitch to get a hit or take a walk. If the Charlene, a straight female from a conservative area of the pitch was a strike it became a strikeout.

Through it all, the Cocktails stuck together and so did a mother and her sons. The team got by some tough “I thought that it would opponents in the early part of the double elimination be amazing to play ball with tournament before finding themselves in the C Division championship game on Saturday afternoon at the end of my sons,”

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a long week of games. With no losses in tournament play they came up against the hometown Austin Outlaws for the title. The pressure of a title hanging in the balance didn’t slow the Cocktails down one bit as they won the championship game by run rule.

One could imagine the pride felt by Charlene after working with her sons to win the tournament. But if you bring up her boys in conversation you can tell that she’s proud of them every day. “My sons are very gifted and I will be right beside them every step of the way. I’m the proudest mom ever,” said Charlene. It was an emotional event for everyone involved as they stood together on the field and had their pictures taken as the champions. The celebration moved to the trophy tent as hundreds gathered inside to witness the championship trophy ceremony. As the trophy was hoisted, there were more than a few tears shed by this family. “I cried knowing how special the moment was. Not

many people can say they won a World Series with their Mother,” explained Sammy.

It was clear on the field and in their lives that these young men had unwavering support from their mother.

That support allowed them to reach their potential, both athletically and as human beings. The role that strong family support can play in the lives of young people is immeasurable. For Daniel and Sammy, it helped shape them into the people they are today. “I think our story sends a message to people around the country to get involved with your parents and let them be a part of what you do, because you never know what good can come of it,” said Sammy.

NAGAAA softball players are each other’s family, but the Kansas City Cocktails took the meaning of family to whole different level in winning the 2016 Gay Softball World Series championship. NAGAAA is a family affair and you must experience it to feel it.

Pictured L-R: Mommas Boy Daniel, Momma Charlene, Mommas Boy Sammy

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 21

KNOXVILLE WOMEN MAKE HISTORY AT GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

BY JEFF SLOAN

D

allas Series 2014 will be remembered for what a relatively smooth week it was and the great planning that went into what was undoubtedly one of the best Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) events in history.

But another historically significant event also took place within the D Division in Dallas.

The women’s division split from the NAGAAA structure in 2007 and the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) was created strictly for women. There had not been an all-female team competing at the GSWS since that restructuring. And according to common knowledge within the gay softball community, there had never been a team completely comprised of women playing in the Open Division at the GSWS since the tournament began in 1977.

However, the NAGAAA website reveals how strongly the organization values the meaning an “Open Division” has to its membership. The words, “Open Division” are listed below the logo on the front page of the website, another reminder that everyone is welcome within the rules set by the instruments of governance; women are no exception.

Enter the Knoxville Fuzion to Dallas Series 2014. The Fuzion, an all-women’s team from Knoxville, Tennessee qualified for the GSWS out of the K-Town Softball League as one of that league’s two D Division GSWS representatives along with the Knoxville Cyclones. The Fuzion finished tied for third place in their hometown league’s D Division and the team had good showings at several NAGAAAsanctioned tournaments prior to the World Series in 2014.

Brandi Crass is a K-Town Softball League executive board member and Fuzion manager. “Our team has been a member of K-Town for nearly seven years. Although we played in the open division in the fall league, this past spring was our first season to compete for a NAGAAA World Series bid. We feel our league has always been supportive of Fuzion,” said Crass.

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After a tough regular season schedule in Knoxville and some tournament play throughout the year, Fuzion was ready to compete at the GSWS. The Fuzion’s pool play grouping was one of the most competitive in the entire D Division tournament. But after dropping its first two games of pool play, the ladies from Knoxville were able to get past the Chicago Jox 13-7 to secure their first World Series win as a team.

Fuzion members knew they could compete at an international tournament but getting to the World Series wasn’t a team goal initially. “In all honesty, winning the bid to World Series was the furthest thing from our minds. We entered the Open Division to help better our level of play by competing with different teams than we were accustomed to playing in the Women’s Division,” added Crass.

NAGAAA is truly one big family. And while there are disagreements and competing points of view from time to time, everyone is accepted for who they are and for the unique talents that they bring to the sport. Crass told us that this World Series was no different. “While at the World Series we realized we were a bit of a buzz when many of the teams came to our games to show support for our ladies. In turn, we also stood by their sidelines, cheering them on. We were blessed with the support of our local teams who came to cheer us when scheduling would permit,” Crass said.

There has been talk for years about NAGAAA bringing a women’s division back into the fold. However, no real progress has been made on the topic. For opponents of a NAGAAA women’s division, the Knoxville Fuzion went a long way toward making the case for one. If the Open Division is truly “open” and an entire team of women can play in the open division, then is a women’s division necessary in NAGAAA? Folks that are critical of that line of thinking surely can’t use a lack of competitiveness as their argument after the showing these ladies from Tennessee made at Dallas Series 2014 in spite of their loss.

Regardless of whether or not a women’s division being added by NAGAAA is imminent, the Knoxville Fuzion manager wants to savor her team’s place in history while looking ahead to the future. “Every time we step on the field our intention is to win. If those wins lead us to the 2017 World Series we would gladly consider a trip to Portland.”

The Fuzion’s win/loss record at the 2014 GSWS couldn’t be less important. But what the Fuzion represented there couldn’t be more important. This group from Knoxville proved that NAGAAA is a place for everyone – gay, straight, bisexual, transgender; men AND women.

YUSEF CICHY-PARKER

AUGUST 2017

TEAM COMPETE MVP

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY’S INCLUSION IN SPORTS DIVERSITY? The LGBTQ community has made great strides to help change the landscape of sports by promoting positive change and growth. We need to continue to make sports a safe, inclusive environment for athletes, coaches and spectators of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This work needs to continue to take place both on and off the field.

GREATEST ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS: My greatest athletic achievement occurred during the 2015 Gay Softball World Series in Columbus, Ohio. I had the absolute best game of my softball career against the Dallas Toxic. We ended up losing the game by a few runs but that was my best hitting at that level.

GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Marrying my husband.

WHAT’S YOUR DAY JOB: Project management for Comcast.

OTHER SPORTS PLAYED: In high school I played JV and Varsity Tennis. In the military I played on our Company’s Flag Football team.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN SPORTS: First sport I played (competitively) was slow pitch softball when I was in the Cub Scouts. I enjoyed every aspect of the game – practices, games, scrimmages and camaraderie. It was also the first time I owned a Louisville Slugger.

WHY YOU LOVE SPORTS: Love the camaraderie and the competition amongst friends/ opponents. Everyone working toward a single goal.

BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: I’m far too modest for this question. My husband would say my smile. Apparently it gets me out of trouble.

INTERESTS/HOBBIES: Big sports fan, both playing and watching, Sci-fi movies … and eating!

FAVORITE TEAM: Michigan Wolverines (football) – GO Blue!!

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Serena Williams.

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Married.

CURRENT SPORT(S) PLAYED: Softball and tennis.

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Portland, Oregon.

HOMETOWN: Detroit, Michigan.

AGE: 42.

To be included in our MVP section, e-mail: MVP@competenetwork.com

Photos courtesy of NAGAAA Archives

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BY CONNIE WARDMAN

WEHO SPORTS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES YEAR THREE PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAVO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 1-4 because the WeHo Sports Festival (WSF) is returning. Back for its third year, it’s bringing some competition, fun and festivities for the LGBTQ sports community over what is otherwise a quiet Labor Day weekend in the Los Angeles area. There will be basketball, dodgeball, soccer, tennis and both regular and sand volleyball athletes ready to test their mettle in the quest for gold, silver or bronze medals.

It will again be held at UCLA’s various sports facilities although locations for certain sports may shuffle a bit this year due to the school’s pre-planned summer renovation schedule. The good news is that all will be back to normal next year with some wonderfully upgraded facilities because the school trusts the WSF staff to put on a successful event. There are also several other sports that

Eric Gonzales

have expressed interest in participating next year, namely running, rock climbing and women’s softball.

The festival’s added value is that it has blossomed into a good relationship between UCLA and the community in which it’s domiciled, which is not always the case with university towns. But a multi-sport festival doesn’t just happen without a lot of behind the scenes efforts by a number of dedicated people in the community, one of them being Eric Gonzales, executive vice president and treasurer of the Los Angeles Volleyball Organization, Inc. (LAVO) and executive director of the WSF. The greater Los Angeles area is home to a large number of gay sports leagues and teams. To Eric it didn’t make sense that no one was holding a multi-sport tournament right in their own back yard. And with the Labor Day

(Contiunued on page 28)

www.CompeteNetwork.com

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BY CONNIE WARDMAN

INTERVIEW

weekend being a traditionally slow time, a tournament that weekend seemed like a win-win for gay and allied athletes and fans as well as shopkeepers and vendors in the area, turning it into a holiday destination spot.

Eric is quick to point out how much support the WSF has gotten from the City of West Hollywood, saying it would never have gotten off the ground without their vision of the festival’s potential for bettering the local community and their trust in LAVO’s leadership to pull it off. And that continued trust has enabled the WSF to enter its third year with a bright future.

Thanks to that foresight, the WSF is now one of LAVO's annual tournaments. The festival is an inclusive celebration of athletes, competition and community with a growing touch of LGBTQ national, even international pride as news of it continues to grow. Much of the WSF’s ability to stay on track over the first couple of years is thanks to the skillful handling by Eric and LAVO’s president, Ray Robles.

Formed just seven years ago as a non-profit LGBTQ inclusive volleyball organization, LAVO has a membership base of over 2,500, a veteran board of directors and dedicated volunteers. As the largest holder of sanctioned tournaments for NAGVA, the North American Gay Volleyball Association in the west, LAVO has had lots of experience running tournaments during its short existence.

Ray has been a competitive volleyball player for the past 20 years. And with a degree in kinesiology from Long Beach State and a Master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix, he also brings experience from a 10-year career in the health care administration field to LAVO.

(Continued from page 27)

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Until his move to L.A. seven years ago, Eric hadn’t been much involved in sports. He used his degree in business management and economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz to launch a career in the hospitality industry, working in human resources, payroll, taxes and accounting. Based on their complementary backgrounds, the two men make a strong team, with Ray organizing the tournaments and Eric handling the logistics.

They bring that same skill set to the WSF. The first couple of years of any new venture provide a learning curve that can make or break an event, depending on how closely those running it pay attention. But you learn from your mistakes and change your model to make it better each year. This year they’ve added festival mugs that attendees can show at participating establishments for discounts; again, a win-win for everyone.

Eric says he discovered that some of the special touches he thought would be important to all the athletes and spectators really weren’t. An example is providing free shuttles so people wouldn’t have to find parking places. It turns out that very few people used it during the first two years, opting instead to drive or Uber. That’s now money that can be better used for something else.

It’s certain that once the Kickoff Party begins at the Andaz Hotel’sMezzanine, the vibe will run through all the competitions to the Closing Party at the Flaming Saddles Night Club when all the gold, silver and bronze medal winners are crowned. After that it’s time to party and turn a fun-filled Labor Day Weekend into a real happening!

Ray Robles

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ATHLETE

BY DAVID SMITH

OLYMPIC CHANNEL’S “IDENTIFY” SHARES TRANS ATHLETES’ STORIES PHOTOS COURTESY OF OLYMPIC CHANNEL FIVE ATHLETES, FIVE SPORTS AND FIVE STORIES; each of them are making history for openly sharing their love and passion for their sport and simply being who they are. But these five are transgender athletes who are making their mark on history one spike, stroke, slap shot, punch and step at a time.

At the end of June on the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the Olympic Channel, an initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched a new documentary mini-series called “Identify” that shares the stories and experiences of five transgender athletes, all of whom are playing a different sport. In their individual journeys participating as openly trans athletes, there are some familiar names and some less familiar names featured.

Each segment reveals an insight into their struggles as well as their triumphs of growing up transgender, and how they all channeled their love for sport into their personal identities.

Highlighted are athletes Chloe Anderson, volleyball; Schuyler Bailar, swimming; Harrison Browne, ice hockey; Pat Manuel, boxing and Chris Mosier, triathlon/duathlon.

Each segment of “Identify” lets the athletes do the talking by sharing their personal insights and journeys. You also hear from family, friends, coaches and teammates who share intimate views of how each athlete grew and prospered as an individual as well as the impact that athlete has made on them, helping them to learn, understand and grow.

The focus for all the athletes featured in “Identify” is about their love for sport and how it impacts their personal identities. The one constant in each athlete’s life has been sport. No matter what else they might have faced day-inand-day-out they could always count on the love for their

sport to carry them through even the hardest of times. In fact, this is a struggle most athletes can relate to. Sport is just as much an integral part of an athlete as is being straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Facing an even greater struggle than most to become whole, asking a trans athlete to give up one part of the self to pursue another essentially sabotages the quest for wholeness.

Swimmer Schuyler Bailar recalls that on his women’s high school swim team he was one of the fastest swimmers. Needing to choose between transitioning and swimming, essentially he felt he had to give up part of his identity; for awhile it seemed that the two couldn’t coexist. Fortunately that wasn’t the case after he was invited to join the Harvard men’s swim team based on his attitude, work ethic and overall love for the sport.

Greg Groggel, director of original programming for the Olympic Channel is the brains behind the “Identify” series.

He and Nina Horowitz, the in-house Vice Media director/ creator of the series worked together to ensure that each athlete’s story will reach millions of people via the Olympic Channel's reach. These stories will inspire and encourage more youth to take up sports, something that has been and continues to be a barrier for many trans youth. Greg’s purpose for sharing the stories of these up-and-coming trans athletes is so current and future trans athletes finally have role models who are like them, actual trans athletes they can emulate.

There have been a number of trans athletes in the past who have competed in a variety of sports with varying levels of success. Unfortunately, after coming out as transgender these athletes faced enormous amounts of bigotry, ignorance and criticism – a stigma that continues today. It resulted in many retiring from sport when they couldn’t find support or available competitions. Despite their struggles, many of these athletes helped pave the road for today’s trans athletes who, as scientific, social and legal attitudes on transgender issues are changing, are more willing to be open about their personal transition journeys.

With strength and resilience, these more recent trans athletes somehow block criticism and hatred to keep moving forward. And in the process they have created more trans-inclusive policies and clarified previous grey areas that have affected trans and intersex athletes from a young age up to current elite athletes. The combination of their openness and new medical research has begun to break down discriminatory competition rules at the highest levels and establish ones that are more trans-friendly.

Schuyler Bailar

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 31

BY DAVID SMITH

ATHLETE

Pat Manuel

and Harrison, the other four athletes featured in “Identify” have been deeply inspired by Chris and could relate to him on their own personal journeys.

Most importantly, he is continuing to compete in triathlons/duathlons for Team USA. Greg Groggel hopes this effect will continue to grow and expand as more athletes come out and share their stories.

While he was producing “Identify”, Groggel noted that as the five participants came out and continued to pursue sport as openly trans athletes, they received an overwhelming amount of support from their coaches, teammates, friends, parents and other people within the community. This certainly represents a major shift in attitude toward the trans community in general, particularly for trans athletes. By sharing these stories on a highprofile outlet like the Olympic Channel, this series is bound to have a profoundly positive effect on the trans community.

“Identify” shows the world that regardless of your gender identity, you can pursue the sport you love and succeed while competing as your authentic self ... on every level. The next generation of athletes carrying the torch for the Olympic movement will be one of the most diverse.

By sharing these stories and creating these connections, we are reminded that sport embodies the values of the Olympic Movement, “Friendship, Respect and Excellence.”

It truly is for everybody.

Follow the Olympic Channel on social media and visit their webpage at www.olympicchannel.com. It is an outlet to share the best moments, highlights and stories from the Olympic Games and to keep the excitement and spirit of the Olympic Games going throughout each Olympic celebration and during the four-year Olympiad between each of the Games.

Special thanks go to Greg Groggel, Ian Fried and Catherine Philbin with the Olympic Channel and to Nina Horowitz with Vice Media for their valuable contributions to this story.

In November 2015 the IOC met and agreed upon a more inclusive set of guidelines regarding eligibility requirements for transgender and intersex athletes wanting to compete, one that still maintains the principles of fair play without compromising human rights. This updated policy does not require gender reassignment surgery, stating that female-to-male athletes wishing to compete in the male division can do so without restriction.

Athletes wishing to compete in the male-to-female division must maintain a specific limited amount of testosterone within their blood for at least one year prior to their first competition. This is to maintain consistency with the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure fair sport and also to accommodate female athletes with hyperandrogenism or excess levels of androgens (male sex hormones).

Chris Mosier, Compete Magazine’s 2013 Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year is one of today’s best known and highly respected transgender athletes. Always frustrated by a lack of trans athletes he could use as role models, he decided to be open about his journey, using it to help other potential trans athletes. After he won a place on the U.S. Men’s Team in the June 2015 Duathlon National Championship, Chris began his quest to change restrictive IOC trans participation guidelines. His own international sport organization as well as many other national and international groups used original IOC guidelines that required both internal and external reconstructive surgery prior to competing. Without a change, Chris would not have been able to compete with his Team USA teammates at the international championships in Spain later that year.

That change has opened the door for trans athletes to participate in a variety of sports at all levels on a global basis. It also has been aided by Nike and other sponsors showcasing Chris in ads and ESPN the Magazine's 2016 “Body Issue” including him as the first transgender athlete. Shuyler, Chloe, Pat Harrison Browne

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| COMPETE | August 2017

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BY CONNIE WARDMAN

SPORTS

2013 GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES: ONE TEAM – ONE DREAM EDITOR'S NOTE: NAGAAA has been thrilling players and fans alike for 40 years while Compete Magazine is just in its 11th year. But we’ve been just as thrilled to share stories of NAGAAA leagues, teams, players and their tournaments with our readers for the time we’ve been in business.

In a “hats off” to NAGAAA’s look back at its 40th anniversary, we follow suit with three sports stories from three different years. The friendships old and new, the competitions, the excitement of winning and the disappointment in losing, the memories that will never fade – all reasons why Compete salutes NAGAAA and their Boys and Girls of Summer.

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU COMBINE America’s favorite summer sports pastime with gay athletes? The 37th annual Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) being held in Washington, D.C. August 26-31. How appropriate that the world’s largest predominantly gay summer sports tournament is being held in the U.S. capital this year since it marks the 50th anniversary of Reverend Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was this speech that inspired the tournament’s title, “One Team – One Dream.”

The “One Team,” otherwise known as NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, has been around since 1977 promoting participation in softball by both gay men and women. And thanks to the growing support movement by straight allies, it also includes non-LGBT playPhoto courtesy of NAGAAA Archives ers, making the organization a true model of diversity and inclusion. Currently representing more than 800 teams in 41 separate leagues or member associations across the U.S. and Canada, the organization’s membership exceeds 12,000.

True to its mission of inclusion, NAGAAA has five different divisions of play that give everyone who wants to swing a bat and throw a ball the opportunity to get involved. The divisions – A, B, C, D and Masters – begin at A for the most skilled players and go to D for those recreational players with a lower skill level. The Masters level is for players 50 years of age and older who still want to compete.

Hosted this year by CAPS, the Chesapeake & Potomac Softball league representing softball players from the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas, their members have put together not only a great tournament but also a

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fun-filled social calendar for those who are ready to party after a hot, steamy day on the field. They’ve also got the support of several key local media, tourism and LGBT support organizations to lend a helping hand, notably the Washington Blade, Team DC and Destination DC, according to Wayne Williams, president of the DC Series 2013 delegation.

Monday’s opening ceremony features DJ Seth Cooper rocking the Bullpen and the annual T-shirt swap. Although he’s a well-known DJ who has headlined the White Party in Miami, Ascension in Fire Island and many more big LGBT events, he’s also here to play for his team during the GSWS, the Chicago Dragons.

Other fun events include afternoon pool parties at the penthouse pool at Vida Fitness, attendance at the annual Nats Night Out where the Washington Nationals welcome the LGBT community and of course, the big talent show.

Proceeds from the talent show this year are being donated to PETS-DC, a local non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with HIV/AIDS and their companion animals.

Wednesday evening is the 2013 NAGAAA Hall of Fame Dinner where eight members of the organization will be inducted into their Hall of Fame. Held at one of the area’s premier dining destinations, the Sequoia Restaurant also offers a panoramic view of the Potomac River and the Kennedy Center.

Here are all the NAGAAA Hall of Fame inductees and their geographic areas: • Chris Balton – Memphis • Dan Cleveland – Atlanta • John Deffee – Phoenix • John Haas – Boston • Terri Goddard – Kansas City • Frank Delgado – Los Angeles • Scott Young – Tampa • Chip Brown – Washington, D.C. Come the closing ceremony and the after party on Saturday, another very successful GSWS will undoubtedly be added to NAGAAA’s list of achievements. But the organization remains busy, not just planning for next year’s tournament but also for expanding into new cities, helping new gay and lesbian softball leagues to grow and stabilize so they can grow into contributing NAGAAA members.

BY IAN COLGATE

SPORTS

THE LAZY HAZY DAYS OF SOFTBALL WHEN YOU THINK OF GAY SOFTBALL, WHAT comes to mind? If you are like most gay softball enthusiasts, the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) should be bouncing like ground balls in your head.

Yes, if it’s August, then the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, better known as NAGAAA, is busy with its annual celebration that brings in teams from all over the U.S. and Canada. So mark your calendar for August 17-22.

Founded in 1977 and boasting over 800 member teams and 45 member leagues between the two countries, NAGAAA is the largest softball organization dedicated to promoting amateur athletics for the LGBT community.

Keeping its focus on the importance of both gay and lesbian participants, NAGAAA inducted its first woman into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

The organization was formed to encourage gay men and lesbians to participate in competitive softball but with the steady growth of straight allies, it also encourages allied players to be part of the fun. NAGAAA started its Hall of Fame in 1997 as a way to honor the achievements of people and member cities that are committed to growing the sport of softball among the LGBT sports community.

The organization’s focus has always been on several things. In addition to promoting athletic competition and good physical health, it encourages the formation of new gay leagues and helping them during their start-up process.

Another focus is on encouraging the bonds of friendship that come from meeting and playing with athletes from other areas. Players who have met over the years at the GSWS have formed lifetime friendships. It also provides an opportunity for LGBT athletes to play and socialize together for a common goal.

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At both the local and organization levels, fund-raising activities at the GSWS and at local tournaments support national and local AIDS organizations and other charities. But the most high profile event produced each year

by NAGAAA is the Gay Softball World Series. It is held in a different membercity each year and Photo courtesy of NAGAAA Archives monies raised go to the host city.

This year’s host city is Columbus, Ohio which also hosted the GSWS in 2010. Large sporting events like the GSWS require cities with sports facilities able to handle such large numbers of teams and fans. And Columbus fits the bill on that score with 31 softball diamonds that are all in one location – Berliner Park, currently the largest softball complex in the country.

In 2010 the economic impact on the city of Columbus came out to over $5 million. It brought with it huge windfalls for the Columbus area, both in improvements to parks and sporting venues and in cash flow from participants and spectators to the local businesses. Additionally, Columbus received significant media exposure for its inclusiveness.

Details can be found at gsws2015.com

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SPORTS

GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES TURNS 40 IN AUSTIN THE GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES (GSWS) is celebrating its 40th birthday in Austin, Texas this year from August 15-20. With 180-plus teams from the U.S. and Canada participating, that means an influx of 5,000 sports fans to Austin; some 3,000 players and approximately 2,000 fans. As the major annual tournament of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA), there are still some competitions going on among the organization’s 43 member cities to see which teams will head to Austin for the 3Cs –competition, camaraderie and celebration.

With the theme of Deep in the Heart [of Austin], the Austin GSWS 2016 committee is hard at work ensuring that everyone who comes to town has a fun and memorable experience that will last far beyond this year. That shouldn’t be difficult to achieve since Austin is consistently voted as a top gay city in North America.

The City of Austin is in Travis County and both are excited to welcome the GSWS to the area as is Softball Austin, the local softball league. “Softball Austin is eager to welcome our NAGAAA friends and family for the 40th GSWS,” said Commissioner Albert Rodriguez. “The Austin GSWS committee has been working hard, and while there is still a lot of work to do, we are confident the plans we have in place will provide a great experience to all the GSWS attendees. We can’t wait to show you that NAGAAA and softball are firmly entrenched Deep in the Heart of our city and our league!”

A twist to mark this birthday celebration comes in the opening ceremony. Rich Segal, Austin 2016 GSWS executive director and Austin’s liaison to NAGAAA’s 40th GSWS committee, says that “Rather than introducing the cities in alphabetical order we are going to bring them out by the year they joined NAGAAA. We feel this will be a proper and fitting way to get a quick and memorable glimpse into NAGAAA’s history.”

Headlining the opening ceremony will be singer-songwriter Kristine W. Adding to her recordsetting streak of most consecutive number one hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart will be songs from her new album.

According to Larry Davis, Austin GSWS 2016 events director, “… trust

us when we say she’s going to give it everything she’s got!”

The closing ceremony will be a block party with Grammy award-winning and Billboard’s number one DJ Dave Audé and other top Austin DJs spinning the night away.

HERE’S A PEEK AT THE WEEK: • • • • • •

Monday – Registration at host hotel, the Hilton Austin and Opening Ceremonies at Long Center Tuesday – Softball at the fields and Hall of Fame Banquet at Bullock Museum Wednesday – Softball at the fields and Casino Night Charity Event Thursday – Softball at the fields Friday – Softball at the fields and Street Party Saturday – Championships at the fields and Closing Ceremonies

Thanks go to Prudential, NAGAAA’s National Presenting Sponsor; Oilcan Harry’s, Austin’s Local Presenting Sponsor; and major sponsors, including Nissan, Coors Light, All American Athletics (official bat sponsor) and AD Starr (official ball sponsor) as well as the over 2,000 volunteers from a dozen LGBTQ non-profit organizations and the local Austin GSWS 2016 host committee for their willingness to make the GSWS a great event and birthday party!

Photo courtesy of NAGAAA Archives

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LOVE AND THE IMPERSONAL PERSONAL BRAIN STUDYING THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF SEXUAL

motivation, Professor Donald Pfaff writes, “[I]n projecting from discoveries about hormone actions on brain and behavior in animals, we can appreciate more fully how libidinal desires serve the human species well.” As an example of such service, consider the following: • •

•

1,237 athletes participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reported that the Brazilian government distributed nine million condoms during the 2016 Olympics.

45,000 condoms (350,000 male; 100,000 female) and 175,000 packets of lubricant were supplied to athletes in the Olympic Village – 40 condoms per athlete, on average. “This is considered sufficient to encourage athletes to practice safe sex while in Brazil for the Olympic Games,” said an IOC spokesperson.

As a mechanism to promote perpetuation of the species, human sexual desire is overkill on a grand scale; Charles Darwin, a father of 10, would feel vindicated.

But there’s also a downside to this gift of overly emphatic sexual brain circuits derived from ancestors who had no understanding of microbiology or of public health statistics like these: Per-act probability of acquiring HIV, per exposure Oral sex

0-1 in 2,500

Anal sex, insertive partner, circumcised

1 in 90

Anal sex, insertive partner, uncircumcised

1 in 161

Anal sex, receptive partner, no ejaculation

1 in 154

Anal sex, receptive partner, with ejaculation

1 in 70

A reality: put a large number of athletes together in one place and the biological mandate programmed into the human hypothalamus will guarantee that sex happens. A second reality: the Great Chain of Being includes N. gonorrhoeae and the HIV virus, and they'll also likely attend the party. A third reality: “Modest HIV transmission probabilities per sex act translate into substantial cumulative risks over time.”

Effective safer sex practices are out there. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using Truvada lowers HIV transmission likelihood by 99 percent – if the drug is taken faithfully.

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Post-exposure prophylaxis works similarly well. Condoms lower risk on average by 80 percent according to the CDC; the numbers are higher if condoms are used every time.

We know all this. So why did 39,513 Americans receive an HIV diagnosis in 2015, with 67 percent of these infections occurring in gay and bisexual men?

Neurobiology tells us that while sexual desire and arousal come from circuitry in the hypothalamus, safer sex practices are the purview of prefrontal cortical executive functions. And, to quote Dr. Pfaff again, “Lower drives can preempt higher drives in their demand for immediate satisfaction … this hierarchy makes good biological sense.”

Good sense for the species, that is, but not necessarily for the individual. (Natural selection, after all, also endowed the Pacific salmon with the gift of semelparity – suicidal reproduction.)

In addition to understanding our risks and options, an important step in protecting ourselves and others is to accept our sex drive as it is while also understanding just how impersonal its biological imperative can be. This may be challenging, given the appealing cognitions and emotions – excitement, intimacy, trust, assertiveness, kinkiness and so on – that it engenders. I'd guess that most of us have noticed how sexual arousal can make almost anything seem like a good idea at the time. As Emo Philips said, “I used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in my body. Then I realized who was telling me this.”

It's OK to listen to lust's siren song; we just shouldn't believe everything our crotch tells us. And a decision to reserve a location or weekend "to blow off steam" won't automatically suspend the laws of cause and effect, despite what ancestral drives may claim. Take it from someone who was a practicing physician during the Plague Years: in matters sexual, biological reality always wins.

It wasn't until August 1998, that the Bay Area Reporter had a week with no death notices to publish, an event it announced with the large red headline: "No Obits." Let's all see if we can keep from going there again.

HOT ITEMS YOU SHOULDN’T DO WITHOUT GYM BAG NEW BALANCE MEN’S 3000V3 BASEBALL TPU CLEAT

VARO ARC SOFTBALL TRAINING WEIGHT (JENNIE FINCH EDITION), 12 OZ

Go all out in the most comfortable and thoughtfully designed cleat in the game. The latest incarnation of the 3000 cleat features lightweight REVlite cushioning that helps you stay comfortable through extra innings. Plus, a new collar design that provides comfort and support whether you're at a full sprint or standing still. This low-cut cleat weighs just 12.3 oz.

Described as “a running shoe on spikes,” the 3000v3 incorporates REVlite foam for comfort close to the foot. The upper mixes an innovative combo of materials to provide support, breathability and protection.

Product details include a baseball data-driven insert, comfort collar, debris-free tongue, pro-level TPU outsole plate, synthetic nubuck/mesh upper and toe protect. Comes in black with white or grey with white. $79.99

Designed alongside gold Medalist Jennie Finch, the Varo arc is the only softball training weight to distribute weight over the bat's sweet spot. Its patented advanced weight distribution disperses weight to the end of the bat, creating a game-like swing that improves a player's mechanics and strengthens softball specific muscles. Air diffusion technology creates a lighter body with greater emphasis on natural wind resistance while its cushion-fit technology includes rubber-infused fins to eliminate friction on the bat that safeguards the barrel from rings and scratches. Its True-fit core ensures a precise fit to all types of fast pitch and softball bats. Comes in HyperLime Graphite or White Graphite. Sold and shipped through Amazon for $29.99.

www.newbalance.com CLAKIT STRAPPACKS™ Perfect for active and fit people constantly having adventures, a Clakit StrapPack™ is perfect to attach to a wide variety of things, from bikes, bags, camelbacks and anything else you might have. The pouch itself is small and lightweight, perfect for carrying your keys, phone, wallet,

extra cash or other small items. With its easily detachable shoulder clip, you can carry it with you wherever you go.

The clip is made out of industrial strength nylon (the same stuff used in the automotive and medical industries) and is designed horizontally to attach to the shoulder strap on your back pack, keeping your stuff easily accessible. The pouch is made out of a heavy duty, waterproof, 1000D nylon that will keep your phone and other items safe and dry during your outdoor adventures. $19.95.

www.clakit.com 42

| COMPETE | August 2017

www.amazon.com FRANKLIN CFX PRO SERIES BASEBALL BATTING GLOVES These major league gloves are designed to improve performance and increase grip on any bat in all weather conditions. Made with PITTARDS® DIGITAL sheepskin leather the CFX Pro Series batting glove provides long-lasting softness and tactility. Find the perfect color to match your team's colors from our extensive collection of custom batting gloves. Features include: floating thumb technology that increases glove flexibility and adaptability, a dual-layered lycra-flex bridge provides lightweight flexibility across knuckle back and side-flex areas and Tectonic fit inserts accommodate flex without adding bulk to back of hand.

PITTARDS® DIGITAL sheepskin leather maintains softness and tactility in all conditions and QUADFLEX creasing decreases material buildup between hand and the bat handle. One-piece leather palm maintains superior grip, provides smooth, seamless feel on any bat. Cost is $34.99 but can be customized for additional charge.

www.franklinsports.com

TRAINING TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

TM

WWW.SPORTSDIVERSITYLEADERS.COM SPORTS DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL IS A TRADEMARK OF MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC

OVERTIME

EVENTS

CURRENT EVENTS IN AUGUST FOR A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT COMPETENETWORK.COM/EVENTS

NEW OAKLAND LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OPENS

AQUATICS ACC Water Polo Pride Tournament Montréal, Quebec, Aug. 11-13

BOWLING San Diego Invitational San Diego, Aug. 4 Big D Classic Invitational Dallas, Aug. 11 Maple Leaf Classic Toronto, Ont., Aug. 11

FLAG FOOTBALL Mile High Bowl Denver, Aug. 4-6

RODEO Zia Regional Rodeo Santa Fe, Aug 11-13

SOFTBALL Northern Classic Toronto, Ont., Aug. 4-6 K-Town Klassic Knoxville, Aug. 5-6 Indy’s Hit & Run Softball Tournament Indianapolis, Aug. 11-13 Pacific Cup International Softball Tournament Vancouver, BC, Aug. 26-27

TENNIS Queen City Open 2017 Cincinnati, Aug. 11-13 New Hope Open 2017 Washington Crossing, Penna., Aug. 26-28

VOLLEYBALL Summer Splash Wisconsin Dells, Aug. 19

Sports Club at

Your Uptown Fitness Experience! www.sportsclubatcitysquare.com (Indian School Rd and 2nd Ave)

602-285-2929 44

| COMPETE | August 2017

FOUNDED BY LONG-TIME OAKLAND RESIDENTS and LGBTQ community organizers Jeff Myers and Joe Hawkins, the new non-profit Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, Inc. opened for business last month. Programs will begin at the Grand Opening on September 7 based on the Center’s mission: “The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Inc. is committed to supporting and enhancing the wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals, our families and allies.”

While there are an estimated 27 LGBTQ community centers in the state of California, this marks the first time in Oakland’s history that an organization has ever opened a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multigenerational LGBTQ community center.

The Center will have drop-in hours and host a variety of support groups. In addition it will offer the following: transgender advocacy services; a new Peacekeepers Alliance, a non-confrontational buffer between the LGBTQ community and those who protest LGBTQ events; HIV/AIDS/STI testing services and crisis lines for LGBTQ youth, elders and suicide prevention.

There is a program for LGBTQ victims of hate crimes since LGBTQ members are among the top two most targeted groups behind African Americans. There are mental health and substance abuse counceling services and referrals and an Aging With Pride program to promote a positive and healthy quality of life for elderly members of the community as well as an Advocacy, Leadership Training & Speakers Bureau.

The Center will conduct outreach activities at various festivals, colleges, pride events, and more to let the community know about the center and its services. To learn more or to volunteer, go to: https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/services

BY BOBBY CILETTI

STYLE

BAG TRENDS AND TIPS WE ALL DO IT BECAUSE WE ALL NEED IT – carrying around excess baggage, that is. And that includes both the physical and the mental baggage we all deal with.

While we all have ways of dealing with the latter, there exists a clear solution for the former – carry the right bag!

Most of us are living a multi-pronged lifestyle, always finding ourselves multitasking more tasks than we want to count. So having a bag is essential to staying organized or being prepared for what life throws at us. Different needs call for different bags and, as always, a necessity should not sacrifice style. So put down the messenger bag and carry something that supports your lifestyle instead of sacrificing your personal style.

OVERSIZED Oftentimes bags serve as the exclamation point to our style. A great way to achieve this is with an oversized bag.

The practical part of the oversized trend is capacity that allows for maximum storage. Just do not overstuff your bag – that never looks fashionable. Also be careful when selecting materials, colors or patterns when going for an oversized bag because there will be a lot of choices.

CLUTCH/POUCH/ENVELOPE This category could also be called strapless because these bags are held or tucked under the arm. Even though they have slim profiles they manage to be diverse in their function. From holding documents, files or tablets, they can transition to a day or evening out use and they free up your hands and pockets. You can stash phones, keys, wallets, gum, cash, a pen and paper. But again, a caution about overstuffing; it’s obvious and looks horrible with this type of bag.

STATEMENT STRAP For those who desire a bag that can go over the shoulder, consider personalizing a basic tote or duffle you may already own with a statement strap. This is a good way to upgrade a basic bag with a pop of color or texture that allows you to take more risks without investing in a very specific bag that may go out of style quickly.

BACKPACKS If you are seeking something practical, this is a category that may appeal to you. This does not mean breaking out your Jansport. From high end designers to Zara, everyone is offering stylish backpacks in a variety of materials and patterns. For a more dressed up look in a backpack, consider a leather one.

SMART BAGS Smart technology and mobile apps are still trending as more and more industries find ways to align their products with technology.

Some bags come with features like phone chargers so you always have extra battery life at your disposal.

BOBBY SAYS …

You have made an investment in a bag so take it a step further. Do yourself a favor and stay organized by using the compartments and pockets that come with your bag.

That way you are never seen rifling through your bag like you lost something. Use mini zip pouches to manage cords, chargers and small loose items, like change or pens. An emergency kit is also ideal – make sure you always have quarters, cash, stain remover, hand sanitizer and tissue on hand. It is never chic to be unorganized!

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