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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Gay Sports Leagues Net Straight Players

Recruits say gay men nicer, just as tough

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(Newser) – 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.”

One of the big draws for straight men is that gay-sports leagues generally don't have rules on how many women must be on a team or how many have to be playing at any given time.
One of the big draws for straight men is that gay-sports leagues generally don't have rules on how many women must be on a team or how many have to be playing at any given time.   (Index Stock)
New York Gay Flag Football League has more than 200 members, including about a dozen straight guys who play every season.
New York Gay Flag Football League has more than 200 members, including about a dozen straight guys who play every season.   (Index Stock)
"This is by far the best league I've ever been a part of," one straight footballer says. "I'd never dream of leaving it just because I play with gay men. Unless they kick me out."   (Index Stock)
The gay Big Apple Softball League fields some teams that are more than half straight.
The gay Big Apple Softball League fields some teams that are more than half straight.   (Index Stock)
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