Lesbians in Rugby

It seems that our male counterparts are obsessed with the notion that lady ruggers are playing for one of two reasons: Either they're dykes, or they want to get in with the male players.

I've certainly found instances of both of these possibilities, but more than that, I think that what makes us all ruggers is our love of the intensity of the sport.

On my team, that intensity leads to very close friendships on and off the pitch, which I think is awesome. Even better, the unity we feel as a team overrides any issues of sexuality, to the point where it doesn't seem to matter at all (which, of course, it shouldn't on the pitch!)

It seems to me that any woman who is involved in a team sport as an adult can pretty much assume that either there will be out lesbians on the team, or that people outside the team will assume that there are anyway. It comes with sports in our culture: buff=butch=lesbian=higher percentage of lesbians in contact and 'ball' sports.

Luckily, the love of rugby seems to overshadow any issues we have as individuals. If that open acceptance and indifferent friendship could carry over into our daily lives, wouldn't it be a great thing?

Paula
Tackle Girls!

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