The Gay Rugby Podcast

Jack Higgins
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Rugby
  • Updated Weekly

Your go-to source for the international LGBTQ+ rugby community. Hosted by Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna of Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby, this podcast explores the world of inclusive sports, rugby news, and the stories behind players making waves in the sport. Born from the success of the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby team's social media, The Gay Rugby Podcast celebrates the intersection of rugby and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. From The Bingham Cup to international gay rugby events, Jack and Ozzie share insights, interviews, and updates from the global rugby scene.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Is Gay Rugby SO Popular in the UK? (And Where Is Gay Rugby League?) | Ep 64

    Why is gay rugby so popular in the UK? And if rugby union has built a thriving LGBTQ+ community, why are there no grassroots gay rugby league clubs?We sat down with Johnathan Alexander Zemlik at the Bingham Cup 2026 in Brisbane. A Kings Cross Steelers player who also plays rugby union and rugby league for multiple clubs, Johnathan brings a unique perspective to the question of why gay rugby has exploded in popularity across the UK - while gay rugby league clubs remain conspicuously absent.Jonathan reckons there are around 32 gay rugby teams in the UK. So what's behind the growth? It's about more than rugby. It's about finding your people, building friendships outside the usual gay nightlife scene, getting competitive, and having a place where you can show up as yourself.We also break down the differences between rugby union and rugby league, from 15 players versus 13 to scrums, lineouts and the six-tackle rule. Jonathan explains how rugby league's working-class roots shaped its history, why he thinks the sport has an inclusion problem, and what it could learn from the gay rugby community.Plus, we get into homophobia on the pitch, the Kings Cross Steelers' culture, a Guinness World Record rugby match that raised £125,000 for charity, and the fight to make rugby league more welcoming to LGBTQ+ players. Jonathan also shares his hopes for an inclusive rugby league team at Keighley Cougars.Could the next chapter of gay rugby be in rugby league?Subscribe to the Gay Rugby Podcast for more stories from the global LGBTQ+ rugby community, inclusive sport, and the people changing the game from the inside.

    Why Is Gay Rugby SO Popular in the UK? (And Where Is Gay Rugby League?) | Ep 64

  2. Oct 6

    A Gay Rugby Team Was Asked to Leave a Lesbian Bar | Ottawa Wolves Women's Rugby | Ep 63

    A gay rugby team was asked to leave a lesbian bar and we asked the lesbian rugby coach what they thought about it.In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack and Ozzie are in Brisbane, Australia, covering the 2026 Bingham Cup and Amanda Mark Cup, where we sit down with Emily Lynn Létourneau, president of the Ottawa Wolves, an LGBTQ+ rugby club from Ottawa, Canada.Emily takes us through her journey into rugby, from growing up in a small town in northern Quebec where rugby barely existed to becoming a player, coach, and leader within one of Canada’s LGBTQ+ rugby clubs. We talk about the growth of women’s rugby at the Bingham Cup, the rise of the Amanda Mark Cup, and why creating dedicated space for women and lesbians in queer rugby matters.But things get especially interesting when we talk about a viral moment involving a gay rugby team and a lesbian bar. Emily gives her perspective on whether gay men belong in lesbian spaces, why those spaces were created in the first place, and where the line should be when it comes to respecting queer spaces.Along the way, we get into the stereotypes surrounding lesbian rugby players, what gay men could learn from lesbians, dating within your rugby club, and what the future could look like for women’s LGBTQ+ rugby.Recorded in Brisbane during the 2026 Bingham Cup.The Gay Rugby Podcast is a comedy and culture podcast about gay rugby, LGBTQ+ sports, queer culture, community, travel, and the people making rugby a more inclusive place.Filmed, edited and produced by Jack HigginsExecutive Producer Ozzie Luna

    A Gay Rugby Team Was Asked to Leave a Lesbian Bar | Ottawa Wolves Women's Rugby | Ep 63

  3. Sep 28

    Why Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ Rugby Club Struggles to Recruit Japanese Players | Ep 62

    Why Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ Rugby Club Struggles to Recruit Japanese Players We sat down with Daniel, founder of the Tsurumi Brats, during the 2026 Bingham Cup in Brisbane, Australia, to talk about the unique challenges of building an LGBTQ+ rugby community in Japan. Tsurumi Brats are a Tokyo-based inclusive rugby club, and Daniel explains why Japanese and foreign rugby communities have often remained separate, the challenges of recruiting Japanese players, and how language and cultural differences can make it difficult to bring the two communities together. Despite having a large international player base, Tsurumi Brats are working to create more connections between Japanese and foreign players and build a rugby community where everyone can play together. We talk about gay rugby in Japan, LGBTQ+ rugby, Tokyo rugby, Japanese rugby culture, recruiting Japanese players, foreign rugby players in Japan, and the challenges of building an inclusive rugby club. Filmed during the Bingham Cup Brisbane 2026, the world's largest international celebration of inclusive rugby, where teams from around the world came together to compete and connect. Tsurumi Brats represented Tokyo and Japan on the international stage.

    Why Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ Rugby Club Struggles to Recruit Japanese Players | Ep 62

  4. Sep 21

    Why Are Straight Men Choosing Gay Rugby? | Sydney Convicts | Ep 61

    What happens when straight men join a gay rugby team?We sat down in Brisbane with James Morey, president and captain of the Sydney Convicts, to talk about why straight men are choosing gay rugby, what makes an LGBTQ+ rugby team different, and why the Convicts have become one of the biggest names in inclusive rugby.James has been playing rugby since he was eight and joined the Sydney Convicts in 2016. Nearly a decade later, he's leading the club both on and off the field and he's got a pretty good perspective on what makes a gay rugby club work.We get into what it was like joining the Convicts after playing traditional rugby, the freedom of being able to be yourself on the pitch, and why gay rugby teams aren't just for gay players. James explains why having straight players and allies is important to the club, and why some straight men simply don't connect with the macho culture that can surround traditional rugby.We also go deep on the history of the Sydney Convicts, Australia's first gay and inclusive rugby union club, the growth of gay rugby in Australia, the Bingham Cup, and how the global LGBTQ rugby community has grown into something much bigger than any one team.Plus: the biggest misconception about gay rugby, the Convicts' infamous reputation for playing hard and partying hard, their pathway program for people who've never played rugby before, their five Bingham Cup titles, and what it's like trying to manage more than 100 players at the world's biggest inclusive LGBTQ+ rugby tournament.This episode was filmed in Brisbane during Bingham Cup 2026.If you've ever wondered what gay rugby is actually like, how gay rugby clubs work, whether straight men can play LGBTQ rugby, or why someone would choose an inclusive rugby team over a traditional club, this conversation is for you.

    Why Are Straight Men Choosing Gay Rugby? | Sydney Convicts | Ep 61

  5. Sep 14

    This Indigenous Gay Rugby Team Is Making History in Australia | Ep 60

    The Lorikeets are Australia's indigenous gay rugby teamWe came to Brisbane for the Bingham Cup 2026 and ended up sitting down with Darren from the First Nations Lorikeets: a brand-new rugby club creating something that didn’t exist before in Australian gay rugby.The Lorikeets are an LGBTQ+ rugby team for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, built around culture, community, visibility and creating a space where players can actually feel like they belong.And Darren has a pretty powerful reason for being part of it.Years ago, he was asked to play for the Sydney Convicts but said no because he didn’t feel safe in that space. Now, 14 years later, he’s playing rugby with the Lorikeets at the Bingham Cup in Brisbane.We talk about why First Nations rugby matters, what it means to create a culturally safe space for LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, and why representation in gay rugby clubs has to be more than simply saying “everyone is welcome.”We also get into the Lorikeets’ first year, how the team came together from players across Australia, their connection to community, their plans for the future, and what they hope this team can mean to the next generation of queer First Nations players.Recorded in Brisbane during the Bingham Cup 2026.If you’re into gay rugby, LGBTQ+ sports, inclusive rugby, First Nations rugby, or just want to understand more about the people and stories behind the Bingham Cup, this one is worth watching.Subscribe for more conversations about gay rugby, LGBTQ+ sports, rugby culture and the people who make this community what it is.Filmed, edited and produced by Jack HigginsExecutive Producer Ozzie LunaViews and opinions in the podcast do not reflect the views and opinions of the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby Club

    This Indigenous Gay Rugby Team Is Making History in Australia | Ep 60

  6. Sep 8

    Is Rugby Worth the Injuries? | Chris Grace on why Super Store Didn't Stop Him Playing | Ep 60

    We sat down with comedian and actor Chris Grace to talk about something that, on the surface, seems pretty simple: is rugby actually worth getting hurt for?Chris has broken both of his ring fingers, dislocated a rib, broken his arm and developed arthritis in his knees from playing tighthead prop. And yet, when we asked if he regrets it, his answer was pretty definitive: no.That led us into a much bigger conversation about why people keep coming back to rugby even when it hurts. Chris talks about the nerves and adrenaline before a match, the strange emotional attachment that comes with playing on a team, and why gay rugby became such a transformative part of his life.We also got into his acting career, including his time on Superstore, and whether he ever worried that playing rugby could interfere with his work as an actor. Spoiler: he wasn't particularly worried about getting injured until he actually got injured.Chris has also experienced one of the biggest moments in LGBTQ+ rugby firsthand: winning the Bingham Cup. He talks about what that victory meant to him, why he broke down crying after losing the following year, and how rare it is to feel that emotionally connected to something in everyday life.Along the way, we talk about gay rugby, playing against straight teams, rugby culture, competition, community, and why the sport has become so much more than just what happens on the pitch.This is Episode 60 of the Gay Rugby Podcast.Subscribe for more conversations about gay rugby, LGBTQ+ sports, rugby culture and the people who make this community what it is.

    Is Rugby Worth the Injuries? | Chris Grace on why Super Store Didn't Stop Him Playing | Ep 60

  7. Aug 31

    Mascots BANNED at the Bingham Cup | Are the Emerald Warriors to Blame? | Ep 58

    On the second day of the Bingham Cup, we casually spotted the Brisbane Hustlers' mascot.The Hustlers were hosting the tournament, and we knew exactly what the mascot game was about. We started thinking about whether we could get close enough to steal it. Then we noticed there were children around. And a dog. And while we really wanted the mascot, we didn't particularly want to be responsible for an international rugby incident.Then, almost perfectly timed, a message went out to everyone at the tournament: mascots were banned.The reason? Police had been called after a fight over one of the mascots, and the long-running Bingham Cup tradition had apparently crossed a line.So we brought it up with the Emerald Warriors.In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we sit down with Gary and Maz from Dublin's Emerald Warriors RFC during the 2026 Bingham Cup in Brisbane. We get into the mascot controversy, including the incident involving an Emerald Warriors player at the 2024 Bingham Cup in Rome, and why the club's reputation seems to have followed them to Australia.From there, the conversation turns to the history of the Emerald Warriors, founded in Dublin in 2003 and now home to more than 250 members. We talk about how the club has grown, the development of its women's team, and what an LGBTQ+ rugby club can offer people who may never have felt completely at home in traditional rugby.The Warriors also talk about their bid to host the 2028 Bingham Cup in Dublin why they wanted it, what hosting the tournament could mean for the club, and what they learned from hosting the 2019 Union Cup.We get into their international rugby history, beating the Sydney Convicts in Rome, winning the 2025 Union Cup, the more chaotic side of Emerald Warriors tours, and the story behind a motivational speech that eventually resulted in 14 players getting matching tattoos.Recorded in Brisbane during the 2026 Bingham Cup

    Mascots BANNED at the Bingham Cup | Are the Emerald Warriors to Blame? | Ep 58

  8. Jul 13

    What Is a Demon Twink? | Swamp Romp Rugby 2026 w/ Round Rock Ruckus | Ep 56

    For this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack and Ozzie flew from Los Angeles to New Orleans for less than 24 hours to experience Swamp Romp, one of the biggest weekends in gay rugby. We landed, grabbed our gear, spent the day playing rugby, filmed interviews from the sidelines between matches, and caught one of the most unexpectedly hilarious conversations of the weekend.Jack and Ozzie laced up with Round Rock Ruckus RFC from the Austin, Texas area and Jack even crossed the try line before sitting down with one of the team's most unforgettable personalities, Ziploc, to answer a question we'd been hearing all weekend: What is a demon twink?What starts as a conversation about twinks in rugby quickly turns into a much bigger discussion about LGBTQ+ sports, body image, eating disorder recovery, Ozempic, toxic relationships, and why the international gay rugby community is unlike any other. The best part is that none of it was planned. This episode was filmed right on the sidelines while matches were still going on. You'll see players warming up behind us, hear the whistles throughout the interview, and at one point play comes to a stop because someone gets injured just a few yards away. It perfectly captures the energy of a rugby tournament.Then we made the mistake we'll never live down.We left New Orleans that same night to fly back to Los Angeles, only to find out after we landed that Jennifer Coolidge had shown up to the Swamp Romp after-party. We spent months joking that we should've skipped the flight.

    What Is a Demon Twink? | Swamp Romp Rugby 2026 w/ Round Rock Ruckus | Ep 56
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About

Your go-to source for the international LGBTQ+ rugby community. Hosted by Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna of Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby, this podcast explores the world of inclusive sports, rugby news, and the stories behind players making waves in the sport. Born from the success of the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby team's social media, The Gay Rugby Podcast celebrates the intersection of rugby and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. From The Bingham Cup to international gay rugby events, Jack and Ozzie share insights, interviews, and updates from the global rugby scene.

Information

  • Creator
    Jack Higgins
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jack Higgins
  • Show Website
    The Gay Rugby Podcast

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