Looking to meet other LGBTQ people and be active in a safe environment? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite queer sports and athletic organizations in New York and surrounding areas. You’ll find everything from competitive sports and leisure activities to cheerleading and ping pong. If you’re gay and looking for community outside of the NYC bar scene, we’ve got something for you.
Big Apple Softball League
208 West 13th St
New York, NY 10011
212-696-7482
bigapplesoftball.com
The Big Apple Softball League is an LGBTQ softball league founded in 1977 by Badlands bar owner Chuck Dima and assisted by Rich Diaz, Mike Cary, Fred Howell, and others. The league has over 600 members and is absolutely free of discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Cheer NY Cheerleading
Felipe Hernandez
888-671-7312
cheerny.org
instagram.com/cheernewyork
Cheer New York is an all-volunteer, all embracing and non-body-shaming LGBTQ+ cheerleading group that was founded in 2001. Cheer NY raises money for local LGBTQ+ charities. If you wish to try out for Cheer NY, visit their Tryouts page, and fill out their form.
City Cruisers MC
Old Chelsea Station
PO Box 1614
New York, NY 10011
citycruisers.com
City Cruisers is a gay men’s motorcycle club who meet up to ride on the first Thursday of each month at 8PM. City Cruiser members have a wide variety of bikes — sportbikes, cruisers, sport-tourers, and dual-purpose bikes. The Cruisers meet at The Center on 13th Street, NYC, and there is an annual cost of $30 per year.
Fast and Fabulous Cycling
P.O. Box 23008, Ansonia Sta
New York, NY 10023
212-567-7160
facebook.com/groups/17369245978/
New York’s LGBT bike club. If you like bike rides, weekend trips, camping, kayaking and monthly dinners, you should definely inquire about membership. Click the link above to visit their Facebook group.
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Front Runners NY
P.O. Box 87
Ansonia Sta
New York, NY 10023
212-799-8781
www.frny.org
Founded in 1976, Front Runners New York is a 700+ member LGBT running club that is affiliated with the New York Road Runners. They provide beginners clinics, cross-country meets, fun run, group walks through Central Park, long runs and more.
Garden State Gay Bowling League
GSGBO is a Tuesday night bowling league that meets at Nationwide Hudson Lanes in Jersey City. They are sanctioned by the USBC (US Bowling Congress) and are a member of the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO); however, all skill levels are welcome.
Gotham Volleyball
P.O. Box 961
New York, NY 10034
212-388-8208
info@gothamvolleyball.org
gothamvolleyball.org
Gotham Volleyball claims to be the largest LGBTQ sports organization in New York City. They offer open play for players of all levels in a relaxed environment. They also offer division play and tournaments for the more serious volleyball players. If you’re already a player, or you’re interesting in learning or improving your game, you should definetely check out Gotham Volleyball.
Long Island Ravens MC Club
c/o Long Island Eagle
94 Clinton Ave
Bayshore, NY 11706
631-968-2750
liravensmc.org
If you are serious about bikes, into the the leather lifestyle and love to ride, you’ll love the Long Island Ravens Motorcycle Club. Their mottos is “Brotherhood, Loyalty and Pride
.” Join into a community with like-minded men, and ride with purpose. The organization raises money for AIDS/HIV and local gay causes.
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North Jersey Gay and Lesbian Bowling
AMC Brunswick Belleville Lanes
Belleville, NJ
201-452-4216
njglb.net
An an LGBT sponsored, handicap league of mixed bowlers – men, women, gay, straight, Bi and transgender — who meets on Tuesday nights at 8PM in Belleville. They are both members of the IGBO and USBC.
NY Gay Pool League
Multiple Locations
New York, NY
212-496-4585
nygpl.org
Whether you’re a 8-baller or a 9-baller, you find someone to play with at the NY Gay Pool League. The League meets a various locations around New York, including Boxers in Chelsea, Stonewall Inn, Society billiards, Phoenix, Hangar, Metropolitan Bar and Colony 274 in Brooklyn. NYGPL is the country’s oldest and largest pool league dedicated to the LGBTQ community.
NY Rambler’s Soccer Club, Inc.
Build camaraderie and play soccer. The NY Rambler’s Soccer Club is named after the famous Ramble of Central Park — an area of the park that was popular with gay men in the 1980s. In 1980, the New York Rambler’s became the first openly gay soccer club in New York. The club accepts all, regardless of skill level, sexual orientation, gender, race or religion, and takes part in numerous tournaments. Visit their Instagram page.
NYC Gay Basketball League
The NYCGBL, New York’s first gay basketball league, provides a safe and welcoming environment free from harassment and discrimination for members and friends of the LGBTQ+ community to play basketball and build camaraderie. The NYCGBL has both open play and tournament play.
Out of Bounds NYC & Team New York
PO Box 372, Times Sq Station
New York, NY 10108
oobnyc.org
Team New York was founded in 1999 as an umbrella organization for inclusive LGBTQ+ athletic organizations for coordinate and collaborate. Team New York was intended to provide a mechanism for local athletic organizations to coordinate for the Gay Games. Out of Bounds was founded in 2000.
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Pink Pong NY
Sunnyside, Queens
718-623-2926
pinkpongfoundation.org
Pink Pong NY is an LGBTQ table tennis organization in Sunnyside, Queens, open to players of all ages and skill levels.
Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society
sundanceoutdoor.org
sundanceoutdoor@yahoo.com
Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society is a meet-up for LGBTQ people who prefer non-competitive outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking, and to show appreciation for the natural world. The groups take road trips, and activities vary in duration.
Team New York Aquatics
212-691-3440 (hotline)
tnya.org
Team New York Aquatics is an all-inclusive LGBTQ aquatics club. If you like water sports—that is, swimming, water polo, diving, and synchronized swimming—then this is the club for you. TNYA accepts members of all skill levels, and practices in three boroughs. They offer clinics for beginners, and more intense training for experienced swimmers. Get wet and make some friends.
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Last modified: October 17, 2019
