A photo by Chuck Dube from PSSA’s 2011 Opening Day
U.S. District Judge John Coughenour in Seattle has ruled that the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance has the right to limit the number of non-gay players on gay softball teams in the association, according to this report from MyFoxDFW.
NAGAAA, by the way, is the organization with which Dallas’ Pegasus Slowpitch Softball Association and North Texas Women’s Softball Association are associated. NAGAAA also sponsors the annual Gay World Series, being held this year in Chicago, Aug. 29-Sept. 3.
Judge Coughenour wrote in his ruling: “Plaintiffs have failed to argue that there is a compelling state interest in allowing heterosexuals to play gay softball.”
The judge did say, however, that the case — brought by three bisexual men on a San Francisco NAGAAA team — can go to trial because there were some questions over how NAGAAA applied its rule allowing no more than two non-gay players per team. Trial is set for Aug. 1.
The three men filed the suit after their eligibility was questioned by rivals during a 2008 Gay World Series game in Seattle.
How do you prove your gay or straight?
Well, I feel only gay should play in that league. I play in Houston and I wish it was only gay people in the league.
This ruling had nothing to do with straight people wanting to play in the league. This had to do with questioning the “gayness” of 3 bisexual men who play for a San Francisco team. The 3 men were disqualified from playing the World Series b/c they weren’t “gay”.
Jason: Ummm….
I don’t support straight teams limiting the number of gay members to two per team. I don’t support gay teams limiting the number of straight members to two per team. I oppose discrimination based on sexual orientation.
This bothers me a bit because who’s to say that if a gay person wanted to play on a straight team they wouldn’t be “disqualified” because they aren’t straight enough? It doesn’t seem right for a gay team to remove a straight person. I feel that if people from outside the community, whether they’re straight, questioning or absolute closet cases, should be able to swing their bats with pride and slam some balls deep in the outfield. Jason Bradberry…I can think of a few way. hehe