The National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) is an LGBTQ sports organization which exists to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender athletic participation in basketball.
Founded in 2002 by Mark Chambers—who also co-founded the Los Angeles based Lambda Basketball League—to help LGBTQ+ players create city leagues, travel teams, and to allow individual players the ability to find a place or team to participate in LGBTQ+ basketball events that are held around the world.
The organizational board, consisting of Mark Chambers, Ted Cappas, Jeff Hermann and Rob Smithermann, helped NGBA incorporated in May 2005.
The NGBA has seen great growth since 2003 membership has grown to over 1000 players and more than 100 teams registered on the NGBA site, and more cities being represented at LGBTQ basketball events.
You are not alone. The NGBA is an OUT in the open organization, visible to show you that you are not alone. Through the NGBA, you can be who you are and play the game you love. LGBTQ+ basketball offers a safe and welcoming space for anyone that wants to learn and play the game of basketball.
The NGBA offers underserved LGBTQ+ communities the resources needed to start open play, start league play, and access to tournaments hosted by the NGBA.
The National Gay Basketball Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is an all-inclusive organization dedicated to providing the LGBTQ+ community with a well-organized, supportive, and welcoming sporting environment. We are committed to uniting athletes, communities, and cultures on and off the court while promoting national and international competition, providing health education and access to play the game.