Who Should Host the Bingham Cup in 2028? Ranking Every Bid | Ep 55

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.

Who Should Host the Bingham Cup in 2028? Ranking Every Bid | Ep 55

Who should host the Bingham and Amanda Mark Cup Rugby Tournament in 2028?Subscribe to the Gay Rugby Podcast! https://shorturl.at/OztS0The race to host the Bingham Cup 2028 is officially underway, and the competition is fiercer than ever. In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, we dive into all six official Bingham Cup 2028 bids to answer one question: Which city should host the world's premier LGBTQ rugby tournament?From the historic rugby culture of Dublin and Leeds to the accessibility of Orlando, the organization promised by Perth, the vibrant energy of Vancouver, and the cultural significance of Querétaro, Mexico, every bid tells a different story about the future of inclusive rugby. We react to each campaign, break down the strengths and weaknesses of every proposal, and debate what really makes a great Bingham Cup host city. Is it world-class rugby facilities? Affordable travel? Incredible nightlife? Or is the tournament at its best when it introduces players to entirely new cultures and communities?Along the way, we revisit the legacy of Mark Bingham, explore how the Bingham Cup has grown into one of the largest rugby tournaments in the world, and reflect on why International Gay Rugby (IGR) continues to create opportunities for athletes to compete, travel, and build community across the globe. Whether you've been playing gay rugby for years or you're just discovering the sport, this conversation is about much more than choosing a destination. It's about what kind of future we want for LGBTQ sports, international rugby, and the global rugby community.We also react to each city's promotional campaign, discuss rugby travel, accessibility, affordability, and the unique identity each destination would bring to the tournament. By the end of the episode, we each make our pick for who we think deserves to host Bingham Cup 2028.So now we want to hear from you. Which bid has your vote: Dublin, Leeds, Orlando, Perth, Querétaro, or Vancouver? Tell us why in the comments. We'd love to hear your perspective, whether you're an IGR player, a longtime rugby supporter, or simply passionate about the future of inclusive sports.This episode was brought to you by Hey Sweet Cheeks (Queer-owned Sexcare + Skincare)Use our code GRP20 to get 20% off https://heysweetcheeks.co/

Should Kink Be Allowed at Pride? | The Gay Rugby Podcast | Ep 54

Should kink be allowed at Pride? It's one of the biggest debates in the LGBTQ+ community and we're diving into it without holding back.In Episode 54 of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna celebrate Pride Month while tackling some of the most controversial conversations happening in queer culture today. From leather culture and pup play to family-friendly Pride events, LGBTQ+ history, sports, and visibility, we explore where Pride has been, where it's headed, and why these conversations matter.We discuss whether fetish gear belongs at Pride, the role of leather and kink in LGBTQ+ history, how Pride evolved from a protest into a global celebration, and why understanding queer history is more important than ever. We also talk about representation in sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers Pride Night controversy, LGBTQ+ inclusion in rugby, corporate Pride, and whether younger generations fully understand what previous generations fought to achieve.This episode isn't about telling you what to think-it's about asking difficult questions, hearing different perspectives, and starting meaningful conversations within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Along the way, we debate whether Pride is still a protest, if kink and leather should remain visible at Pride events, how queer athletes are changing sports culture, what true allyship looks like, and why LGBTQ+ visibility continues to matter in 2026.Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, a rugby fan, or simply curious about the future of Pride, we'd love to hear your perspective. Drop a comment below and join the conversation.This epsiode was brought to you by Hey Sweet Cheeks (Queer-owned Sexcare + Skincare)Use our code GRP20 to get 20% off https://heysweetcheeks.co/If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast. Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations about LGBTQ+ culture, rugby, Pride, and queer life.

Confronting Big Dipper & Why Gay Men Don't Support Each Other | Ep. 53

What started as a lighthearted attempt to call out our guest quickly turned into one of the most honest conversations we've had on the Gay Rugby Podcast.This week, we're joined by Big Dipper, co-host of the Sloppy Seconds podcast, musician, comedian, and one of the most recognizable voices in queer media. We finally confront him about comments he made regarding gay rugby, but what follows is a much bigger conversation about community, identity, belonging, and the complicated relationship gay men have with each other.Along the way, we dive into bear culture, LGBTQ representation, queer creators, social media burnout, gay dating, inclusive sports, and why it can sometimes feel harder to find acceptance within the LGBTQ community than outside of it. Big Dipper shares stories from his career, talks about building a successful LGBTQ podcast, reflects on his experiences in queer spaces, and opens up about the insecurities that can persist even after years of success. One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation centers on a question that many gay men have asked themselves at one point or another: why do we seem so willing to celebrate each other from a distance, but struggle to support one another up close? It's a conversation about queer identity, community dynamics, internalized homophobia, and the challenges that come with creating authentic LGBTQ content in an increasingly crowded digital world.We also talk about gay rugby culture, LGBTQ athletes, bear community stereotypes, creator life, online criticism, queer music, mental health, and what it means to carve out a place for yourself in modern gay culture.If you've ever felt like an outsider in your own community, wondered why LGBTQ spaces can sometimes feel divided, or questioned where you fit into the broader queer world, this episode will probably hit close to home.The Gay Rugby Podcast explores LGBTQ sports, queer culture, travel, dating, relationships, mental health, and the stories that bring our community together. Hosted by Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna, each episode features candid conversations, unexpected perspectives, and plenty of laughs along the way.Empowered by Friend of Dorothy: https://friend-of-dorothy.com/Elevate your well-being with our thoughtfully curated range of products designed specifically for gay men.New episodes every week.Filmed, edited and produced by Jack HigginsExecutive Producer Ozzie LunaConnect with The Gay Rugby Podcast on social media! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gayrugbypodcast/Tik Tokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@gayrugbypodcast?lang=enYouTubehttps://shorturl.at/OztS0Views and opinions in the podcast do not reflect the views and opinions of the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby Club

Do Rugby Teams Shower Together? My Barcelona Rugby Experience w/ Joseph Schles | Ep 52

Do Rugby Teams Shower Together? Comedian Joseph Schles joins The Gay Rugby Podcast!Subscribe to the Gay Rugby Podcast! https://shorturl.at/OztS0Most people who have never played rugby have the same question: do rugby teams actually shower together after a match?After a recent trip to Barcelona, Jack finally has an answer.In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack and Ozzie unpack what it was like stepping onto the pitch with a rugby club in Barcelona, navigating the language barrier, experiencing a different rugby culture, and finding out firsthand which rugby stereotypes are true and which are complete nonsense.Joining the conversation is comedian Joseph Lesch, whose career has taken him from comedy clubs to performing for thousands of LGBTQ+ travelers aboard Atlantis Events cruises. Together they trade stories about sports, travel, body confidence, queer community, and the strange social dynamics that happen when a bunch of sweaty rugby players head for the locker room after a match.Part rugby story, part travel diary, and part comedy hang, this episode offers an inside look at a side of rugby culture that most people never get to see.Subscribe for new episodes of the Gay Rugby Podcast, where rugby, comedy, travel, and LGBTQ+ culture collide.This epsiode was brought to you by Hey Sweet Cheeks (Queer-owned Sexcare + Skincare)Use our code GRP20 to get 20% off https://heysweetcheeks.co/New episodes every week.Filmed, edited and produced by Jack HigginsExecutive Producer Ozzie LunaConnect with The Gay Rugby Podcast on social media! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gayrugbypodcast/Tik Tokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@gayrugbypodcast?lang=enYouTubehttps://shorturl.at/OztS0Views and opinions in the podcast do not reflect the views and opinions of the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby Club