News :: Sports

Play ball!

Play ball!

  • by BAR staff
  • Mar 22, 2023

The San Francisco Gay Softball League opened its 50th season under stormy skies March 19. The opening ceremonies took place, but an exhibition game between the league and the San Francisco Police Department was postponed.

SF Gay Softball League celebrates 50 years of breaking barriers

SF Gay Softball League celebrates 50 years of breaking barriers

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Mar 1, 2023

The San Francisco Gay Softball League is celebrating 50 years of uniting the LGBTQ and athletic communities.

Brittney Griner's drama in a comic: basketball star's life told visually

Brittney Griner's drama in a comic: basketball star's life told visually

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Jan 24, 2023

Brittney Griner's inspirational life story has now been immortalized in a new comic book published by TidalWave Comics, "Female Force: Brittney Griner."

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian prison

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian prison

  • by Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade
  • Dec 8, 2022

Russian authorities have released WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Jock Talk: If you believe in human rights, do not watch the World Cup

Jock Talk: If you believe in human rights, do not watch the World Cup

  • by Roger Brigham
  • Nov 11, 2022

For the first time in four decades, I will not watch a single minute of the men's soccer World Cup. Not one vuvuzela-shrieking minute.

US LGBTQ sports leader Rick Peterson dies

US LGBTQ sports leader Rick Peterson dies

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Aug 30, 2022

Rick Peterson, a gay man and a former co-president of the Federation of Gay Games, died August 15 after he was pulled from the water while swimming in Lake Washington in Seattle.

Out in the World: Ruby spreads his message in Europe: 'You can be gay in baseball'

Out in the World: Ruby spreads his message in Europe: 'You can be gay in baseball'

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Aug 18, 2022

Bryan Ruby is spreading his love of baseball and bringing visibility to LGBTQ ballplayers in Europe this summer.

Russian court convicts Brittney Griner, who's sentenced to 9 years in penal colony

Russian court convicts Brittney Griner, who's sentenced to 9 years in penal colony

  • by Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade
  • Aug 4, 2022

A Russian court on Thursday found WNBA star Brittney Griner guilty of charges that she smuggled drugs into the country.

Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia

Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia

  • by Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade
  • Jul 7, 2022

WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday pleaded guilty to charges that she smuggled drugs into Russia.

Swimming body effectively bars trans athletes

Swimming body effectively bars trans athletes

  • by Eric Burkett
  • Jun 22, 2022

The world governing body for competitive swimming, FINA, has banned most trans female athletes from participating in elite levels of competition.

Iced, iced, baby: The Lavender Tube on Winter Olympics successes and scandals

Iced, iced, baby: The Lavender Tube on Winter Olympics successes and scandals

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Feb 22, 2022

Beijing 2022 was the best Winter Olympics and the worst all at once. It was the queerest Winter games ever, with a lot of out lesbians, some out gay men, the first nonbinary competitor and queer medalists galore.

Guadalajara in talks to co-host next Gay Games

Guadalajara in talks to co-host next Gay Games

  • by Roger Brigham
  • Feb 15, 2022

Organizers in Guadalajara, Mexico are in negotiations with the Federation of Gay Games to become a co-host of the Gay Games next year.

Frozen '22: The Lavender Tube on Winter Olympics, 'Euphoria' and 'SNL's trend queens

Frozen '22: The Lavender Tube on Winter Olympics, 'Euphoria' and 'SNL's trend queens

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Feb 8, 2022

The Beijing Olympics 2022 are incredibly exciting. Among the competing out athletes are freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, skeleton Olympian Andrew Blaser, speed skater Brittany Bowe and figure skater Jason Brown.

Jock Talk: News flash: B.A.R. sports columnist retires

Jock Talk: News flash: B.A.R. sports columnist retires

  • by Roger Brigham
  • Jan 5, 2022

I wrote my first sports column for the Bay Area Reporter 15 years ago this week.