Sports enthusiasm is in the DNA of Detroiters, and the LGBTQ community plays and cheers right along –playing hard on three different LGBTQ bowling leagues, a softball league, a tennis league, a golf league, a curling team, swimming groups, running groups and dozens of informal clubs and teams.
Here’s some info on several of the larger sports groups in the area:
Football
The Metro Detroit Flag Football League seeks to foster and augment the self-respect of all LGBTQ people and to promote respect and understanding of the larger community. MDFFL prides itself on the inclusive nature of its league.
Softball
LGBTQ athletes and friends take the diamond every Sunday as members of the Metro Detroit Softball League. MDSL fields more than 500 seasoned veterans and beginners, and has since the league was formed in 1985. After each game, winners and losers join together at a local LGBTQ bar for a celebratory after-game party. The players and fans welcome anyone to come join in the fun each Sunday.
In collaboration with leagues in Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, the Midwest Invitational Softball Tournament is held every Labor Day weekend.
Bowling
Little known fact: Michigan is the bowling capital of the world.
Motorcity Invitational Classic is an annual bowling tournament that attracts thousands of LGBTQ bowlers to Detroit from all over the Midwest for a whole weekend of sport and fun each March. Throughout the whole year, MIC helps organize about half a dozen Michigan LGBTQ bowling leagues. All the leagues welcome both men and women bowlers – just a love of the sport is required – and players can slot into any skill level.
If you’re interested in bowling, feel free to drop in at any of the leagues to watch – and maybe find yourself recruited onto a team.
Tennis
The Motor City Tennis Alliance started in 1991, and continues to welcome new players. It is made of gay, straight, bi and transgendered and transsexual people all coming together to play tennis in a fun, competitive and supportive manner. Includes all levels of play, from beginners to near-pro level, and offers singles and doubles. Drop in at one of their events to watch or play.
MCTA hosts the international Motor City Tennis Classic each year at Franklin Athletic Club in Farmington Hills.
Golf
There are more golf courses in Michigan than any other state in the nation. LGBT golfers can find leagues and outings on the links.
Michigan Golf Club is open to golfers of any skill level and all posted events specify if there is a minimum level of golfer invited. The website lists dozens of men’s and women’s events, lessons, social events, weekend trips, outings and tournaments.
Curling
OUTturn Curling League meets at The Detroit Curling Club in Ferndale. For more information, contact the Detroit Curling Club.
Running
There are several LGBTQ running groups and clubs in metro Detroit. One of the longest-running is Motown Frontrunners, which describes itself as “a group of masochists, enthusiasts, fanatics and other social beings dedicated to the fine arts of conversation (at times, while running) and eating with a little running thrown in for measure.” They run every week usually on Sundays, starting in Royal Oak.
