Atlanta rocks gay volleyball. Who knew? These guys did, and they welcome visitors from all over
By Mike Fleming
Unlike softball, rugby, flag football and even swimming, the steady tide of gay jocks playing volleyball often flies under the radar. With 25 years worth of tournaments, that should change.
That’s right. For Hotlanta Volleyball Association celebrates the silver anniversary of its Hotlanta Classic this weekend. Members of the North American Gay Volleyball Association from across the US will descend on our town for some serving, volleying, jumping and spiking.
A whopping three-dozen teams, several of them from right here at home, will compete in three divisions on Saturday and Sunday in Forest Park, and spectators and cheerleaders are encouraged. Team names get creative, with contenders playing under monikers like Gold Diggers, Justice League, Sassitude, Carb Explosion, Hit That, RuBalls, Wonder Puss, Set on My Face, Shade Explosion, Pony Play, Bitch Perfect, and Breeding Rainbows.
Since it’s a lesser-heralded event to many Gay-TLiens other than to the participants themselves, we decided to do a rundown of the Big 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where and Why.
Who
NAGVA teams from Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dayton, Nashville, Washington D.C., and Miami are set to flood the courts by day and our social spots by night. Be on the lookout for gay jocks you don’t recognize and give them a warm dose of Southern Hospitality.
What
Well, duh. We repeat: Volleyball tournament, y’all! Tall nets, tall guys, tall order for your Saturday and Sunday sports watching pleasure.
When
The 25th Annual Hotlanta Classic takes place July 29-July 30, all day. You know when else? Much of the summer you can join and play with Hotlanta Volleball Association. Visit hotlantavolleyball.org and facebook.com/HotlantaVolleyball.
Where
The tournament takes place south of town on courts in Forest Park.
Tsunami Volleyball
5163 Old Dixie Highway
Forest Park, Ga. 30297
Why?
Guys, games and gays. Because sports!
