The Gay Rugby Podcast

Episode 20 of The Gay Rugby Podcast drops us right into the middle of DTLA Proud Festival 2025, recorded on August 24 at Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles. The episode features Richard Suarez-Tascon of Rebellion Rugby, where he helps lead alumni and RugBAE engagement, and the conversation zeroes in on the rivalry and shared DNA between rugby culture in New York City and Los Angeles.With the festival celebrating its tenth year of LGBTQ+ community and pride in Los Angeles, the setting underscores the larger conversation: why inclusive rugby matters, how grassroots clubs in LA have taken shape, and what lessons can be learned from New York’s long-standing tradition of gay rugby. Richard speaks from his perspective with Rebellion Rugby about the challenges of building visibility in sports and the opportunities for connection across cities and communities.The episode captures the energy of two different rugby worlds colliding, one built in the intensity of New York, the other shaped by the laid-back sprawl of Los Angeles, while tying it back to the bigger picture of representation and belonging in the game.

Episode 19 of The Gay Rugby Podcast features Lauren Doyle, a former USA Women’s Rugby Sevens star and three-time Olympian who represented Team USA in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris. Doyle opens up about what happens when the Olympic dream ends, the adrenaline fades, the medals go into storage, and suddenly you’re left facing the world outside of sport. She speaks openly about the post-Olympic blues, the mental health struggles athletes face after retirement, and the disorienting shift of entering the workforce with no experience beyond the game.But this is also the story of Doyle’s life beyond rugby. She reflects on coming out as a lesbian athlete, how she told her family, and what it meant to compete as a gay woman in rugby at the highest level. Doyle shares her connection with teammate Ilona Maher, the power of LGBTQ+ visibility in sport, and the way identity off the field can be just as defining as performance on it.This conversation isn’t just about rugby, it’s about resilience, identity, and the cost of chasing greatness. If you’ve ever wondered what life after the Olympics really looks like, or how athletes navigate the intersection of mental health, sexuality, and elite sport, Lauren Doyle offers a rare, unfiltered look.

Pride as a Form of Protest” isn’t just a rallying cry - it’s the reason DTLA Proud exists. Formed as a more diverse, grassroots response to the mainstream West Hollywood Pride, the festival brings queer culture back to the center of Los Angeles with intention and bite.In this episode of The Gay Rugby Podcast, filmed live at DTLA Proud festival 2025, we talk with Eric Solis and his husband Dennis Caasi about why Pride still matters as activism. Eric - a longtime organizer and creative producer - traces the roots of LGBTQ activism in Los Angeles, while Dennis dives into the behind-the-scenes work of building an event that’s equal parts joy and queer protest tactics.From the history of Pride protests to the tension between Pride visibility and gentrification, this conversation shows how DTLA Proud has become more than just another festival | it’s a stage for culture, politics, and radical visibility. Recorded near Olvera Street, the birthplace of the city, the episode connects past and present: Stonewall to Silver Lake, marches to music, rugby to resistance.

In Episode 17 of The Gay Rugby Podcast, we pull charts, pull no punches, and let LA stand-up Kevin Sullivan read the scrum like it’s written in the stars. From Aries flankers who live for collision to dreamy Pisces fullbacks who can’t stop chasing the offload, we map out rugby zodiac signs with a wink, a whistle, and a little queer magic. Kevin (an openly gay comic you’ve seen around the Hollywood Improv and on the Two Broke Gays pod) drops into our locker room to talk astrology, identity, and why inclusive rugby keeps rewriting the playbook. If you’re here for LGBTQ sports stories, queer athletes, and the wild overlap between astrology and rugby culture, this one’s your new north star. We talk inclusive rugby, how clubs like LA Rebellion turn game day into community, and why astrology somehow explains everything from World Rugby news to the weirdly accurate rugby memes clogging your feed. Along the way, Sullivan drops stories that make the huddle feel more like a late-night set at the Hollywood Improv.If you’re here for LGBTQ sports, queer athletes, and the overlap between comedy, rugby, and astrology-you’ve found the right podcast. Episode 17 isn’t just a conversation, it’s a reminder that the game’s always been bigger than the scoreboard.

From dating app dopamine to locker room breakdowns, the messy overlap of rugby and mental health. Episode 16 of The Gay Rugby Podcast is less polished highlight reel and more raw post-match debrief. We dig into using dating apps for validation and rugby and mental health, pulling no punches on how those late-night swipes blur into dating app addiction, how the highs of a “like” hit feel like a dopamine loop, and why those same patterns leave players limping emotionally by Monday practice.We ask the uncomfortable question: is this toxic behavior? The answer takes us back to the childhood, where trauma first wired us to chase approval and into the present, where we mask it with locker room jokes and humor as a coping mechanism.The conversation sprawls out like an open pitch: seeking validation online, online dating burnout, the weight of hookup culture burnout, and how gay men’s mental health too often gets hidden behind “I’m fine, mate.” We talk queer masculinity, body image in the gay community, and the uneasy marriage between sports culture and toxic masculinity. Rugby is supposed to be an escape, but the algorithm follows you onto the field, whispering about abs, likes, and worth.But this isn’t just a therapy session in boots. It’s strategy talk: carving out space for LGBTQ athletes’ mental health, building mental fitness for rugby players, and exploring what it looks like to attempt a dating app dopamine detox or rewire toxic dating patterns. We’re finding scrums of support in the queer rugby community-proof that identity runs deeper than algorithms, and recovery can be a team sport.

An Olympic rugby prop eats like it’s a full-time job. For Episode 15, Elliot Norris joins us on The Gay Rugby Podcast to find out what it really takes to get through a day on that kind of fuel.We hand him the daily meal plan built for an elite front-rower: thousands of calories spread across precision-timed meals, heavy carb loads before training, protein spikes after, and recovery shakes that taste like ambition mixed with chalk dust. It’s a diet designed to keep a body anchored at the heart of an Olympic scrum.Elliot approaches it with equal parts curiosity and skepticism. He’s no stranger to eating on camera, his own audience knows him for high-energy food content and an unfiltered personality, but this is another level. We set the table, roll the mics, and watch as the lines blur between mukbang spectacle and candid conversation.In between bites, Elliot talks about his life as a content creator with a massive online following: the balancing act between being “on” for the camera and staying grounded, the grind of turning creativity into a career, and the surprising ways food bridges the gap between his world and ours. There are moments of laughter, deadpan honesty, and a few long silences when the sheer volume of food demands all his focus.The Gay Rugby Podcast has always been about more than the sport-it’s about the people who make it what it is, and the stories that unfold where sport collides with real life. This time, the backdrop just happens to be a mountain of food and a guest willing to take on a completely different kind of challenge.If you’ve ever wondered what an Olympic rugby prop eats in a day, or wanted a front-row seat to the intersection of elite athletic routines and internet-era storytelling, this episode serves it up-messy, human, and honest.

The Gay Rugby Podcast dives headfirst into the chaos surrounding the Run It Straight Challenge reaction, peeling back the layers of a viral trend that’s become as controversial as it is captivating. Episode 14 doesn’t hold back-we talk about the brutal clips flooding feeds, the adrenaline‑hungry crowds, and the moment it all turned dark in New Zealand after a young man’s death.The conversation moves from laughter to unease as we ask the question no one in rugby wants to touch: has New Zealand, the sport’s spiritual home, turned rugby into a sideshow? Watching those run it straight rugby reaction videos feels like scrolling through modern gladiator games-raw hits, bone‑jarring collisions, fans egging it on like it’s entertainment. And then there’s the fallout: the run it straight challenge controversy, the whispers of blame, and the headlines that made the world wonder what went too far.We talk about the ugly beauty of the game, the way Kiwi rugby culture has always flirted with danger, and how this viral craze-these run it straight challenge highlights-pushes the boundary between passion and recklessness. We break down footage, swap stories from the LGBTQ+ rugby scene, and wrestle with the uncomfortable reality of watching young players throw themselves into each other with no padding, no plan, and too often, no way back.It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s the kind of rugby reaction video that won’t leave you with easy answers-and maybe that’s the point.

Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna just got back from Boston with bruises, stories, and a hangover or two, and they’re spilling it all on Episode 13 of the Gay Rugby Podcast. The NORAM Cup isn’t just another weekend of rugby - it’s the beating heart of the gay and inclusive rugby community, a mash‑up of bone‑crunching tackles, sideline laughter, and late‑night socials that feel more like a family reunion than a sporting event.In this episode, they unpack exactly what happens at a rugby tournament when you throw together teams from across North America under the banner of International Gay Rugby. From pool play battles and knockout rounds to the electric buzz of the all‑trans match - only the third of its kind in history - the weekend pulsed with milestones. The Fog’s A‑side steamrolled through pool play and knock‑out rounds, ultimately defeating the Washington Renegades in the final to become North American champions-an achievement they proudly crowned on their website as “2025 North America (NORAM) Cup Champions”Jack and Ozzie paint the full picture - the pre‑match nerves, the post‑match beers, the camaraderie that lingers long after the final whistle. It’s a ground‑level look at the NORAM Cup that goes beyond scores and stats, showing why gay rugby tournaments have become some of the most welcoming, chaotic, and unforgettable weekends in sports.Whether you’ve laced up for a match yourself or just want to know what really goes down when hundreds of players and fans converge on one city, this episode gives you the inside story of an LGBTQ rugby tournament that proves the game is as much about community as it is about contact.

Dre’s been one of our teammates for years — but he’s also Mr. Mega Woof 2024, a staple in West Hollywood’s go-go scene, and one of the most magnetic performers we know. So when he invited us to learn a few moves, we showed up… completely unprepared.What started as a friendly tutorial turned into a full-on spectacle: a bunch of sweaty rugby players trying to keep up with a seasoned go-go dancer. There was glitter. There were body rolls. There were a few pulled hamstrings. And somehow, it turned into the most unexpectedly wholesome moment of queer team bonding we’ve ever had.This wasn’t a joke, and it definitely wasn’t just a gay dance challenge — this was the overlap of gay rugby culture, inclusive sports culture, and the kind of masculine dance challenge you don’t usually see outside of a late-night club in the Castro. And yeah, it turns out go-go dancing for beginners is way harder than it looks.You’ll see Dre Thee Cyborg dancing, coaching, roasting, and teaching us how to move like we mean it. You’ll also see some very awkward attempts at men’s go-go dancing, plus a few rugby locker room comedy skits that came out of it.Filmed at Jam in the Van, hosted by Jack Higgins & Ozzy Luna.

Before rainbow laces, viral TikToks, and international tournaments, there was a handful of gay men in Los Angeles brave enough to build a rugby club from the ground up—one scrum at a time. In Episode 11 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, hosts Jack Higgins and Ozzy Luna sit down with Gabriel Galluccio, co-founder of the Los Angeles Rebellion, to trace the untold story of queer rugby in Southern California.Galluccio, a sports producer who worked behind the scenes at Fox Sports, didn’t set out to become a community trailblazer. But after witnessing the silence around HIV, the isolation of gay athletes, and the aftermath of 9/11, he helped launch what would become a safe haven for queer men on the field—a place where strength, identity, and belonging weren’t contradictions.It was the heroic actions of Mark Bingham, an openly gay rugby player who lost his life on Flight 93, that became the catalyst for the first international gay rugby tournament. In 2002, the inaugural Bingham Cup brought queer athletes together from across the globe—transforming grief into legacy, and visibility into power.This episode doesn’t just chart history—it revisits the early 2000s, the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, and how rugby became more than a sport for many gay men. It became resistance. It became joy. It became home.Whether you're a player, a fan, or someone who's never touched a rugby ball, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like the locker room wasn’t built for them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.