Local League Brings Youthful Spirit to LGBT Sports Scene

Kickball and Capture the Flag are no longer sports of the past. Active adults can partake in related elementary school activities all year round in and around West Hollywood thanks to the Varsity Gay League (V.G.L.) 

“The idea was developed four years ago while wandering through Griffith Park Zoo. My friend and I were remembering how much we liked activities from our childhood and decided to try a game of Capture the Flag,” league manager Will Hackner said. “We looked up some rules, found a space and we were off.”

Around 40 people showed up to their first game of Capture the Flag at Pan Pacific Park near The Grove, Hackner said. Considering the event a success, two more games were scheduled and the V.G.L. capture the flag “season” was born.

“We've grown rapidly with more events, more structure, and more fans,” said Hackner, who has also organized Beer Olympics and other drinking game tournaments in addition to the more athletic events like paintball. “The goal now is to take it to the next level so that we can financially do bigger events and league play.”

While the V.G.L. allows anyone to play, it is geared toward the LGBTQ community as an alternative to the traditional West Hollywood social settings. The league was even featured on LOGO’s travel show Bump.

“The events are a good way to meet people outside of the usual bar scene, get some fresh air and exercise, and reclaim a little of your childhood,” said Ryan Rembaum, a frequent attendee and participant at V.G.L. events.

And because of the niche market, the amount of interest has grown, said Hackner.

"We get new players in all the time. Many of them are people who just moved here, or really wanted a new social outlet,” Hackner said.  “Add to that the players who have shown up time after time and we are just blessed.”

This year’s capture the flag season kicks off this Sunday, May 22 at noon, with new players arriving at Pan Pacific Park at 11:45 a.m. to learn the rules. The games will be followed by a flip cup tournament at nearby Gym Bar at 4:30 p.m.

"The first game of any season is always the most exciting, because we haven't played in such a long time,” said Hackner, who expects 80 to 100 people to attend.

“Sneaking around, running, jumping, screaming and sometimes tackling” are common tactics on the field, according to Hackner. “Usually there is a fair amount of blood, crying and broken dreams,” he jokes.

But the physical activity is just an added draw for V.G.L. event attendees.

"I’m going to see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while and it will be good exercise,” Rembaum said. “I mean, it's not boot camp and you have control over how much, so people of all different fitness levels can participate – from athlete to social butterfly.”

While the innagural games of capture the flag were free, there will be a $5 charge for participants on Sunday, a sign that the V.G.L. is becoming a more established organization in the community.

“I have to look at it as a business now, more than just a bunch of friends getting together. But that always comes with growth,” Hackner said. “My hope is to create an all-year-round business that has lots of different events each month for different kinds of adults. Everything from niche events like Quidditch, lazer tag, Ghosts in the Graveyard, rock climbing, to our main staples.”

But for Hackner, the goal is to make memories, not money.

“I really believe that the LGBTQ community is a strong one, but they don't have many opportunities to actually feel like a community outside of gayberhoods and bars,” he said. “I want to find a new way to excite and unite and remind all of us what its like to be a kid again.”