On June 20, in a small sweaty two-room gymnasium a block away from Irving Park Road on Chicago’s North Side, a contingent of rowdy LGBTQ+ fans and their supporters made history by participating in and attending the first accredited gay boxing championship in America.
The event, the World Gay Boxing Championships, held at Strong Hands Gym at 3924 N. Broadway, is the dream of Australian boxer Martin Stark, who held the first championship in his homeland last year.
Many traveled from out of state to participate, some of them enjoying their first official boxing matches ever, and with many speaking on the awareness that the idea of gay boxing erodes notions of masculinity and ability.
Seven pairs of gay and trans individuals squared off in three matches, with each participant taking home a medal rather than crowning a winner, which seemed to be the point. This championship was really about marking a start to establish the sport in the larger queer community and to take a direct jab at homophobia.
The event also included running commentary from Isaiah Smalley and Bernie Ambubayoy, entertainment and interviews from drag performer Venus Cerangi, and an appearance from the Acting Consulate for Australia, Emma Buckham.
Stark, who back in 2007 endured multiple surgeries and two induced comas, got into boxing as a way to recover. He told the packed house at the Chicago event, “There are places in the world where it’s illegal to be us. What we are doing here is giving hope to the world…this is just the start.”
Prize-winning boxer and Philadelphia gym owner Jerrell Bracket spoke about his beginnings as a boxer and how, after he came out, he was deserted by his home gym and coaches. “This space [Strong Arms Gym] matters…that we have a gay-owned business, that we have a Black-owned business in the community is phenomenal.”
When asked by interviewer Carangi what would he like to say following his fight, Bracket said, “Most important…be yourself…that’s the best thing you can do. Until we build more spaces where we can be ourselves…we have to fight for every space.”
After his match, boxer Sean Paris said, “We have a lot of bullies in the world and there’s a lot of craziness going on…we need to put our fists up and not be afraid. We need to fight, fight, fight.”
Trans participant Juliet Rosenthal said, “I guess I’m marking new ground as a trans person, but I have to tell you, don’t be afraid. With boxing and martial arts, there’s no downside…you learn self-defense. You get fit. It’s cool—just so long as you don’t mind getting hit in the face.”
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