University of San Francisco Hosts First LGBT Sports Event

By Tony Jasinski

The University of San Francisco hosted an LGBT event as part of its men’s basketball program game against Pepperdine University on Saturday, January 4th.  It’s believed that this is the first time a Catholic university has hosted such an event, and it seemed to be well received by the light crowd of 1,100 people.

The show started with a contingent from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus opening with the “Star Spangled Banner,” which attendees enjoyed. A large group from Cheer SF performed throughout the game, eliciting regular applause for their amazing acrobatics.

At halftime, two representatives from the gay and lesbian organization at the university spoke for a little bit about their campus efforts. This organization orchestrated the historically significant event, and its members clearly did a lot of work to make it successful.

Later in the game, during a time-out, representatives from the San Francisco Gay Basketball Association (SFGBA) were brought to center-court to wave to the crowd while an announcer mentioned the organization and its website.

The lighter-than-normal crowd was due to students being on holiday vacation. The game, however, was especially enjoyable. The USF team was behind at halftime, but they roared back to a double-digit win over the Malibu-based team that has been one of the best teams in the conference.

Is this event part of a continued thaw in the chilly treatment of gay people by the church? The SF Chronicle covered the game in a normal-sized article in the sports section, but did not mention the LGBT connection, so it did not get widespread press.

Other questions remain. Will this event be repeated in the future, especially at a game where the students would be present? Will there be any heat within the church over this and similar events, given the Archbishop’s poor history with the gay community? Will right-wing Catholic groups or some alumni raise any stink?

Only time will tell…

Tony Jasinski is the former president of the SFGBA.