The Atlanta Bucks, city's inclusive gay rugby team, builds family on and off the field – CBS News

The Atlanta Bucks, city’s inclusive gay rugby team, builds family on and off the field  CBS News

The Atlanta Bucks, reportedly Georgia's first inclusive gay rugby team, have grown from a group of players who meet for practice into a support system that helps members face isolation, rejection, and the challenges many in the LGBTQ community still carry.On a Monday night, the team gathered at a park in East Atlanta to practice for their first game of the season.At practice, veterans teach rookies the plays and run them through drills."They welcomed me with open arms," said Atlanta Bucks player Manny Baza-Fainn.Not every player on the team is gay. Some players are allies."I feel like this is just a wonderful place for people to step out of their comfort zone," said Baza-Fainn.Several players said sports did not feel safe for them growing up.

Some said they faced bullying. They said the team gives them the opposite experience."Rugby is not about, like, you have to be fit," said Baza-Fainn.Baza-Fainn joined the team in 2023. He said he hoped to make friends."I've struggled with social anxiety," said Baza-Fainn.Soon after he joined, his husband, Anthony, faced a medical emergency."My husband actually just had open-heart surgery the day before the one-on-one," said Baza-Fainn.He said he was new to the team and worried he would lose his spot."My heart was torn because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to