Sarasota has a long history of LGBT bowling, and for years local bowlers had only one option to bowl on a LGBT league”Monday nights with A League of Our Own at the AMF Gulfgate Lanes.
Beginning Sept. 13, however, Sarasota bowlers got a second option: Gays, Lesbians, and Friends Bowling Tuesdays, a new LGBT league that also uses the AMF Gulfgate Lanes.
“A lot of people from the other gay bowling league in Sarasota were upset that the league was no longer giving to AIDS charities”the league was started on that principal,” said league organizer Shane Steiding. “The last few years less and less money was going to AIDS charities. I was asked by some bowlers to start a new league, and get back to what the original league was started for, and donate only to AIDS charities.”
The season started in September and runs until April 17, with bowling every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Bowlers are required to pay an annual $20 fee to join the United State Bowling Congress and $15 in weekly dues. As part of the membership in the league, members are included as part of the International Gay Bowling Organization and are able to participate in gay bowling tournaments throughout the country.
Although the league is primarily LGBT bowlers, everyone is welcome. There are currently nine teams with 36 people on the roster, but alternates occasionally fill-in for bowlers who cannot attend on specific dates.
Each week bowlers participate in a 50/50 raffle, with 50% of the proceeds going to the winner and 50% going to the AIDS charities that the league determines.
“Our league is part donation and part prize fund payable back to the bowlers,” Steiding said. “All money that we donate is donated only to AIDS charities. Bowlers also have the option to donate their winnings at the end of the season, and we will include those with the donation to the AIDS charity.”
To accommodate bowlers who may not be able to make a weekly commitment of time or money, league-sponsored “9-pin, no-tap' tournaments are on the calendar.
“These are open to everyone, not just league bowlers.” Steiding said.
So far two of those tournaments”one after Thanksgiving and the other on Dec. 27″have been successful. Also, in the weeks before Christmas, the league sponsored “Presents for Pets””a pet supply drive”and gathered food, bedding, litter, treats, and more for local animal shelters and pets in need.
The league has only been around for a few months, but already has garnered support from many community members anxious to take part in the fun and give back to their community. There are already plans for a shorter season during the summer, and the league hopes to increase itscommitment to charity by working with sponsors in the future.
For more about the league or to join, visit SarasotaGayBowling.com.
