DC Gay Flag Football League

DC Gay Flag Football League
Sport Flag football
Founded September 2010 (2010-09)
Commissioner Brian Hotchkiss
No. of teams 20
Country United States
Headquarters Washington, D.C.
Official website dcgffl.org

DC Gay Flag Football League (DCGFFL) is a nonprofit LGBT flag football league consisting of 20 teams in Washington, D.C. It operates under the National Gay Flag Football League and competes in the National Gay Bowl.

History

The DCGFFL has its roots in the 1990s when a group of gay men began to play 7 versus 7 pick up flag football at the National Mall on Sunday mornings. Another group that played near Dupont Circle later joined. In 1994, the league formed as an organized unit.[1] In September 2010, DCGFFL premiered in its first season as an official league.[2] It operates under the National Gay Flag Football League and competes in the National Gay Bowl.[3][4]

Teams

Teams are composed of both men and women, as well as straight, gay and bisexual players. [5] competing in 4 conferences.[6] The Washington Generals are DCGFFL's all-star travel team.[1] Members of the League have organized a recreation league comprising 4 teams. It is designed to prepare players for the main competitive teams in the DCGFFL.[7] The League is open to people of any orientation. More recently, the number of heterosexual players joining DCGFF has increased.[8]

In 2010, DCGFLL had 90 players and 7 teams during its first season.[2] In 2011, DCGFLL had 200 players and 12 teams during its second season.[2] In 2014, DCGFLL had approximately 275 players and 20 teams.[9] In 2015, DCGFLL had approximately 270 players and 20 teams during its 10th season.[7] In 2017, DCGFLL has more than 300 players and 22 teams during its 13th season.[5]

Community involvement

The League releases a "Skins and Shirts" calendar, with proceeds going to support LGBT high school athletes in the local area.[2][4] Every season, DCGFFL takes a weekend off from games to host a day of service to volunteer for the local community.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Lanyi, Bettina (2013-09-19). "D.C. gay flag football league builds community, camaraderie". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  2. 1 2 3 4 DiMargo, Carissa (2011-08-10). "DC Gay Flag Footballers Debut Calendar". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  3. ↑ "Cherry Bombs profile". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  4. 1 2 "DC Gay Flag Football League produces 2017 calendar". Outsports. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  5. 1 2 "All star spotlight: D.C. Gay Flag Football". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  6. 1 2 "A tradition of giving back". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  7. 1 2 https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/09/19/this-team-was-just-hungry-dc-flag-football-squad-captures-gay-bowl-title/?utm_term=.00fe685c77f5. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ "More straight athletes joining gay leagues | sports | Washington Blade". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  9. ↑ Crary, David (2014-05-18). "Sam's saga likely to expand NFL's gay fan base". The Paducah Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-03 – via Newspapers.com.
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