The Gay Rugby Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Is rugby gay friendly? In the first episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we get into what it’s really like to be part of an inclusive rugby team. I went from a total novice to playing with the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby club, and it completely changed my perspective. If you’ve ever wondered how to join a gay rugby team or searched for gay rugby near me, this episode has answers.We’re breaking down the culture of LGBTQ rugby, the camaraderie, and why so many gay rugby players find a home in the sport. We’ll talk about Rebellion Rugby, the Bingham Cup, and what makes these teams more than just a place to play. Plus, we tackle the big questions: what is gay rugby, why gay rugby, and can straight guys play rugby? Spoiler—rugby is for everyone.

Does rugby truly welcome LGBTQ+ players? In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we tackle the state of inclusivity in sports, from grassroots clubs to the professional level. While rugby is often praised as one of the most inclusive sports, LGBTQ+ athletes still face barriers both on and off the field. We explore how far the sport has come, where it still needs to improve, and the role of inclusive rugby clubs in creating safe spaces for players of all identities.We also highlight the impact of gay athletes in professional sports, including Carl Nassib, the first openly gay active NFL player, and discuss how increased visibility is shaping the future of LGBTQ+ representation in rugby and beyond. Are professional leagues doing enough to support queer athletes? What challenges still exist for LGBTQ+ players in the sport? We break it all down with expert insights and personal stories from within the rugby community.

What’s it like coming out as a gay man in one of the world’s most traditionally macho sports? In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we sit down with players from inclusive rugby clubs to talk honestly about their coming out experiences, both on and off the field.These aren’t polished, PR-friendly stories—they’re the raw, real moments that shaped who these players are today. From confronting internalized fear to navigating homophobia in sports, we explore what it means to come out as a gay athlete in a game that hasn’t always made space for queer voices.We also look at how inclusive rugby teams have created a home for LGBTQ+ players around the world—and how the rugby community is changing for the better. Whether you’re part of the queer sports community, a current player, a fan, or just someone curious about what it means to live authentically in a team sport, this episode hits home.

In Episode 4 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, drag queen Natasha Hundreds sits down with hosts Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna to watch some of the most brutal rugby gameplay moments for the very first time. As alumni of the inclusive team Rebellion Rugby, Jack and Ozzie walk Natasha through the chaos of rucks, scrums, and savage tackles while she reacts in real time—with plenty of questions, confusion, and commentary.This is what happens when a drag queen reacts to full-contact rugby without knowing the rules—but all the personality, curiosity, and unfiltered reactions are fully intact. Jack and Ozzie break things down from a player’s point of view, while Natasha brings the humor and heart of someone trying to make sense of the madness on the field.If you've ever wondered what rugby looks like through fresh eyes—or how a drag queen reacts to seeing someone get body-slammed in the mud—this episode is for you. The Gay Rugby Podcast continues to mix sports, identity, and culture in a way that’s entertaining, inclusive, and totally unpredictable.

We brought our unapologetically gay rugby podcast to the madness of LA Sevens rugby, one of the biggest rugby events in Los Angeles, and sat down with The Rugby Guy to unpack what’s really going on in the sport. If you’ve been searching for an inclusive rugby podcast that covers more than just scores and stats, you’re in the right place.In this episode, we talk about what it means to show up queer in a space that hasn’t always welcomed us, while soaking in the full-throttle energy of sevens rugby highlights and crowd chaos. The Rugby Guy, known for his sharp takes and growing influence in the rugby podcast interview scene, joins us for a no-BS conversation on representation, identity, and why this game still matters.This episode is a window into the queer rugby community, where LGBTQ+ rugby stories aren’t a side note-they’re the main feature. From grassroots clubs to international sevens, we get into the culture, the conflict, and the joy that keeps players and fans-coming back.Whether you're a lifer or new to the game, these are the rugby fan perspectives that make the sport feel human. We’re not here to be polite-we’re here to tell the truth.New episodes drop weekly. Come for the rugby, stay for the reckoning.

The 2025 edition of LA Sevens Pride delivered two days of high-energy international rugby and an electric celebration of inclusivity at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. In this episode, The Gay Rugby Podcast recaps all the major moments from the tournament, on and off the pitch.South Africa’s men’s team took home the title with a 19-5 win over Spain in a breakout performance that saw the Spanish side reach their first-ever final on the World SVNS circuit. On the women’s side, New Zealand’s Black Ferns claimed the top spot with a dominant 29-14 victory over Australia, led by a hat-trick from Michaela Blyde. The USA women’s team earned a well-deserved bronze, further proving their growing strength in the global sevens scene.We also explore the atmosphere around LA Sevens Pride, including on-the-ground fan experiences, post-match interviews, and how the event continues to evolve as one of the most inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly rugby events on the calendar. This isn’t just a recap, it’s a reflection on where the sport is headed, and why LA Sevens has become a key stop for fans of both elite rugby and inclusive community celebration.Whether you were in the stands or following from afar, this episode brings you back to the sun, the speed, and the spirit of LA Sevens 2025.

Big guys. Bigger fails. Welcome back to The Gay Rugby Podcast. 🏉🐻In this episode, Jack and Ozzie attempt a brutal rugby workout — but it quickly turns into a rugby workout gone wrong when Jack’s dog Bunny decides to hijack the session. Between missed lifts, busted squats, and a very determined dog, it’s pure chaos (and a lot of laughs).We talk real rugby fitness, why bigger bodies bring big strength (and sometimes bigger wipeouts), and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in sports. Whether you’re into rugby, gym fails, gay bears, or just love watching two thick guys try to keep it together, this one’s for you.🏉 New episodes of The Gay Rugby Podcast every week — celebrating queer athletes, community, and a whole lot of muscle.Subscribe for more rugby workouts, fitness fails, and unapologetically gay rugby stories.

Episode 9 of the Gay Rugby Podcast drops straight into the action at NORAM Cup 2025 in Boston, where something unprecedented unfolded on the pitch: the third-ever all-trans rugby match. In a tournament known for celebrating inclusive sport, this year’s moment felt bigger-more urgent, more electric. Trans athletes came together from across North America, uniting in a game that wasn’t just about rugby, but about identity, visibility, and taking space in a world that hasn’t always made room.At the heart of the match was Val Pizzo, president of Baltimore Flamingos RFC and the founder of the All Trans Match. Val joins us in this episode to talk about how a radical idea—bringing together trans and nonbinary rugby players for one unified match-turned into a full-blown movement. From the first match in Charlotte in 2023 to Boston’s record-breaking showdown, the Trans Match has become a symbol of resistance and joy, one scrum at a time.Shot on location at the NORAM Cup, the largest LGBTQ and inclusive rugby tournament in North America, the episode captures what it means when community and sport collide. We go behind the scenes with players, reflect on the evolution of trans-inclusive rugby, and dig into what makes these moments matter—not just to rugby fans, but to anyone who believes sport should belong to everyone.The Gay Rugby Podcast is more than banter and breakdowns-it’s where the lines between grassroots rugby, queer culture, and collective resistance get blurred. In this episode, you’ll hear how International Gay Rugby (IGR) continues to back this growing wave of trans visibility in sports, and how clubs like the Baltimore Flamingos are building platforms that are reshaping what inclusive sport looks like.This isn’t just a game. It’s the start of something bigger.

North American rugby is changing-and the biggest tournament on the continent is leading the charge. In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna sit down with Quinton Leduc for an in-depth interview about NORAM 2025, the next major event in North America rugby. Hosted in Boston by the Boston Ironsides, NORAM Cup 2025 is more than just a rugby tournament. It’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ rugby, inclusive sports, and the queer athletes who are redefining what gay sports can look like.The NORAM Cup rugby event brings together teams from across the U.S. and Canada in one of the largest gatherings of its kind. With divisions for Men’s+, Women’s+, and a dedicated trans rugby match, NORAM Boston isn’t shying away from the tough questions-like “can trans people play rugby?” and “should trans women play rugby?” The answer, here, is a loud yes.In our conversation with Quinton Leduc-Vice Chair of International Gay Rugby (IGR) and VP of the Boston Ironsides-we explore what makes this Rugby tournament 2025 so unique. From his work with the IGR Clubhouse community to his vision for inclusive rugby in North America, Quinton offers rare insight into how this movement is being built from the ground up.We also look ahead to The Bingham Cup 2026, the global championship for IGR clubs and arguably the Super Bowl of gay rugby. Whether you’re deep into rugby in USA or just curious about rugby in America and how inclusive it's become, this episode sheds light on how North American rugby is evolving-and who’s driving that change.If you're into inclusive sports, want to hear about the future of gay rugby, or just love hearing passionate people talk about the community they've built through competition, this one’s for you.

When Brazilian rugby star Izzy Cerullo took the field at the 2016 Olympics, she had no idea she was about to become a queer icon. But after her then-girlfriend proposed on live television-mid-Games, mid-glory-Cerullo found herself at the center of a global moment that said everything about visibility, identity, and the politics of being queer on the world stage.

In Episode 10 of The Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna unravel how an impromptu proposal turned into a cultural flashpoint. Was it empowerment? Exploitation? Or just love in a very public place?

We get into the messy, beautiful truth: how queer athletes often become symbols whether they like it or not, how the media spins a moment into a movement, and why Cerullo’s story still hits hard nearly a decade later.

Expect candid talk about LGBTQ representation in sports, the unintentional politics of being visible, and what happens when your private life becomes Olympic history.

New episodes drop weekly. This one? You won’t want to miss.