Rugby: The gay rugby world championships - The Bingham Cup

Where is the best place to be June 13 - 15th?  If you like men playing rugby then there really is no question: Dublin of course.  Commonly known as the Gay Rugby World Cup, the 4th Bingham Cup is begin held this year in Dublin, Ireland. 

The Bingham Cup is held in honor of Mark Bingham, one of the heroes of Flight 93 on September 11th 2001, and who played on the San Francisco Fog Rugby team.  It's held every other year and draws teams from all over the world to compete.

This year's hosts are the Emerald Warriors RFC, who happen to have in their ranks the current Mr. Gay Ireland, Barry Meegan. 

Source: The Bingham Cup

Photo courtesy of the Emerald Warriors RFC

Originally posted by Leo Parr

Comments

[Rick Clark]

My life was personally changed by Mark Bingham nearly five years after he gave his life along with the other 39 passengers of United Flight 93. After reading about Mark and with the help of his wonderful mother Alice, I found the strength to tell my family and friends I was gay. From that day forward life has been incredible.
I attended the Bingham Cup in 2006 along with Alice and a few of Mark's friends. It was an experience I'll never forget. I only wish I could be in Ireland this time around but my heart will be right beside them all.
Rick Clark.

[Brendan]

I was a rugby player long before I'd ever heard of Mark Bingham, but he was the first other gay rugby player whose name I knew. Hearing his story helped me accept myself as a gay man and a gay rugger, and helped ensure that I'll keep playing rugby until my body can't take it any more. By his actions and his example, Mark Bingham was and is a true hero.

[scott]

It's funny how both the Sydney, Australia and San Francisco, US Team don't consider themselves Gay Rugby Teams, yet the benefit from donor support for gay sport teams and events. Both teams fancy themselves as "all Inclusive", this reminds me of the days when I used to be "bi-sexual". Both of these teams A sides are made up of primarily straight players and have abandoned their gay roots.
Too bad boys. You're loosing a lot more on the pitch then you'll ever gain through a simple points in the winners column.
Scott, a disapointed gay rugby player.

[AndyB]

Scott -

I am a straight guy who plays for the Gotham Knights in NYC. I found my way to the team because its practices meshed with my schedule, without thinking one bit about who the players chose to sleep with. I feel incredibly lucky - I found my place with a great group of ruggers, and even better friends. The vast majority of our players are gay, even on the A side, but at the end of the day what matters most is that we support each other on and off the pitch, regardless of sexual orientation. I think that is what matters most.

[FanJake]

I am so touched by the comments here. I especially moved by a straight rugger who doesn't give to f's who his buddies hang with in their (pardon the pun) down time. Rugby is the sport of real men - and it's an incredible honor to also be watching people kick ass on the pitch who also believe in the inherent goodness of all the range of players and people. Wish I had these as role models when I was a kid. Bravo.