Gay Sports Leagues Net Straight Players

Gay and straight men in New York are teaming up, literally: The city’s many gay-sports leagues feature scores of heterosexuals looking for competition and friendship. “I was reticent,” admitted one straight footballer. “I was used to a high level of play.” But he and others have since sidelined their hesitance, saying gay leagues are just as tough as mainstream clubs.

Hyper-competitive straight guys have flocked to the gay-sports leagues because, ironically, they lack rules stipulating that women must play, the Village Voice notes. One gay player complains that heterosexuals are “taking over the teams,” but another says straight guys can help dispel gay stereotypes and tell friends of their positive experiences: “That’s the biggest benefit of having them in the league.” (More gays stories.)