What’s black and yellow and buzzes to parks all over L.A.?
Big Gay Frisbee (BGF), an ultimate Frisbee group with more than 200 members who wear yellow and black shirts to denote teams during the group’s monthly pickup games.
The pickup games, usually on the third Sunday of each month, take place at various locations in the L.A area. One gathering place is WeHo’s Poinsettia Park, where there will be a pickup game on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 4-6 p.m. After games, players stop for drinks at WeHo watering hole Micky’s, a BGF sponsor.
The club includes LGBT and allied people—mostly men, but women are welcome, too—of various ages and ability levels. Founder Seth Harrington says he started BGF in 2007 “to provide a fun and encouraging team sports experience for his friends” and that “doesn’t have any of the macho-paternalistic culture that sometime comes with other team sports.”
Arbel Bedak of West Hollywood was an ultimate Frisbee novice when he decided to give BGF a try about a year ago and ended up loving it.
“We’re all there to really have a good time,” he said. “Everyone’s very friendly. I’ve made some of my really good friends in the area from the group.”
Bedak described the sport as “a funny mix” between soccer and football in which the goal is to capture the Frisbee in your end zone. You pass the Frisbee (you can’t run with it), and it changes possession if it is blocked (there’s no tackling) or it falls to the ground.
There are no consistent teams, and anyone’s welcome to show up and play. No experience is necessary; BGF members teach newcomer how to play. The cost to play is $3. New players should also bring a black shirt and a yellow shirt (used to identify teams), sunscreen and water.
In addition to the pickup games, BGF sometimes runs leagues for more competitive play. The fall league schedule will be finalized soon.
For more information about BGF, visit the website or the BGF Facebook page.
