Nashville LGBTQ+ basketball team wins Pride Cup
The basketball team, made up LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, defeated several teams in Orlando this month for the championship.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Nashville Peacocks are celebrating as this year’s champions of the Pride Cup.
The basketball team, made up LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, defeated several teams in Orlando, Florida, this month, including the Dallas Midwest Stormers, for the championship. Team leaders say this was a good opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies who enjoy sports, but it goes beyond basketball.
“When you finally find this group, and it’s just a brotherhood. You can’t help but to become close,” said Brandon Randolph, co-captain of the Peacocks.
The Peacocks have been around for almost a year. As they plan to participate in more tournaments, the team says they could use more ballers and support.
“We’re always willing to take new teammates, fans, people who want to be involved. People who just want to come hang out. I think it’s important to know that there’s sports inclusivity in Nashville for sure,” said Kevin DeMille, captain of the Peacocks.
The basketball tournament was put on by The United States Pride Basketball Association. For the last year, they’ve provided even more opportunities for LGBTQ+ athletes and their allies looking to play basketball. Teams who participate, like the Nashville Peacocks, are given more chances to engage and to support people within the community. The league has teams around the country including the New York City Ruff Ryders, teams in California, Illinois, and DC.
“We’re intentionally recruiting our younger generation of new athletes. We’re targeting cities, with the intent to help them grow and sustain recreational and social competitive leagues within their areas and ultimately, fostering a sense of community among individuals in reference to some of the educational resources and workshops,” said Brian Diaz, Communications Director of USPBA.
The organization wants to bring the community together through basketball by creating programs that tailor to sexual & mental health as well as mentorship. For the group, it’s about bridging the gap between sports and social support.
“We know that this is all connected to social development, mental health, and sometimes even psychosocial. Our intent is to offer the opportunity for individuals to have a space where they feel welcome safe, and more importantly, loved,” said Diaz.
USPBA believes the safe space it offers can help those people in the community who feel like they are alone and have nowhere to turn.
“We just want to make sure that people understand that we are family, and we’re a trusting organization. We do this out of love, we don’t do it for money. We do this because we want to make sure that what we didn’t have when we were growing up, there’s a space for it,” said Darius Binion, President of USPBA.
USPBA has more tournaments planned for later this year. They’re participating in the Big Easy Pride Classic set for September 7-8 in New Orleans. You can keep up with the Peacocks by clicking here, and USPBA by clicking here.
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