WILTON MANORS, Fla. — A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that more than half of the world’s LGBTQ+ community deals with thoughts of loneliness.

But one South Florida sports organization has gone out of its way to provide them with a sense of belonging, on and off the field.

Welcome to the Rainbow Sports League, where community, competition, and pride all come to play in the heart of Wilton Manors.

It’s a place for LGBTQ+ athletes and allies to build connections and, yes, break a sweat.

“I started here eight years ago when I moved to Florida and joined as just a player and eventually, I started working for the organization,” said Rainbow Sports League Commissioner Alex Plaza. “Personally, I am retired, so I do this as a way to have fun, basically get off the couch and be able to do something that everyone will enjoy.”

Plaza says it’s all about creating a safe and social environment for all.

“Rainbow has done quite a lot for the people who have joined the organization,” said Plaza. “Surprisingly, we have actually been able to have people develop friendships (with) each other. They’ve found boyfriends, they’ve found girlfriends. It’s really become a family environment for everyone who has been participating with us. We always joke that we’re a social organization first and sports, we just happen to play.”

With both beginner and advanced divisions in sports ranging from soccer and kickball to volleyball, dodgeball, and even pickleball, Rainbow offers something for every skill level and everybody, almost every day of the week.

“It’s gay recess, it’s a blast!” said Rainbow Sports League participant Trenor Wilkins. “When I was invited and part of the community, even the first open play, everyone says hi to you, everyone gets to know you, and for me, it made me feel at home.”

Added player Melissa Martin: “It’s a safe place that anybody can come to. Whether you’re young, whether you’re old, whatever’s going on in your life, this is a place you can come and have a great time getting some exercise.”

With sports also comes service.

Rainbow partners with local organizations to support charities across South Florida.

“We raised money for the Suicide Prevention hotline, mental health,” said Timm Keating, the sponsor manager for the Rainbow Sports League. “We also partnered with SunServe to host a community food drive, so the local LGBTQ+ community that does not have food is able to get holiday meals. Our second annual Dignity Drive for Broward House, collecting basic toiletries for people who are in the housing programs who have nothing.”

And the impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rainbow raised $90,000 for those in need in 2025, between its corporate donations and events held throughout the year.

The Rainbow Sports League has been named Out South Florida’s best LGBTQ+ sports league two years in a row.

Its organizers say the sky’s the limit.

“Hopefully we continue to keep growing, maybe even expand to another city or two, but for now, we’re happy,” said Plaza.

Open play for Rainbow Sports League’s winter season is going on all this week, and anyone 21 and up can come out and play.

For a list of days and times for each sport, as well as registration costs, visit Rainbow Sports League’s website.

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