At Empower Pickleball, we believe the court should be a space where everyone feels they belong.

This Pride Month, we’re honoring how pickleball brings LGBTQ+ players and allies together, while being real about where we still have work to do.

Because as inclusive as pickleball can be, many players still step on the court wondering:
Will I be welcome? Will I be seen? Will I be safe to be myself?

Why Pride Month Matters in Pickleball

Pickleball is fun. It’s social. It brings people together across generations, backgrounds, and skill levels.

For many LGBTQ+ players, it’s also where they’ve found community, sometimes for the first time in a sports setting.

In cities with LGBTQ+ pickleball leagues, spots fill up fast. One league leader put it best:

“What draws me to it is the ability to be yourself and bring your full self to sports competition.”

That’s the magic of pickleball at its best: a sport where the lines on the court matter less than the connections made between points.

The Barriers That Still Exist

There’s progress, but there are still real challenges. Many aren’t found in the rulebook.

Apparel Policing

Yes, it still happens. We’ve heard stories of players being called out for rainbow stripes on their shoes, legging, or paddle… or being asked to tone it down so it “not distracting.”

Spoiler: Inclusion isn’t distracting. It’s welcoming.

Lack of Representation

Where are the out LGBTQ+ pros? The brand ambassadors? The Pride-themed brand collabs?

They’re starting to appear, but we need more. Visibility matters. It helps new players walk into a club and know they’re not alone.

Policy vs. Culture

USA Pickleball does have a Transgender Inclusion and Eligibility Policy:

In recreational play, players can participate according to their gender identity. A transgender woman must provide a note (from herself or a healthcare provider) stating she is female.
In tournament play, trans women must provide documentation from themselves and a healthcare provider. Trans men, however, don’t need to provide documentation in either setting.
Non-binary players? No clear division. Many are forced to choose “male,” “female,” or “open” – categories that don’t reflect their identity.

But here’s the bigger issue:
Policies are one thing. Culture is another.

Many clubs don’t actively discuss inclusion. Some tournament directors apply policies inconsistently, or aren’t even aware they exist.

Allyship (how players and leaders speak, act, and show support) matters just as much as what’s written down.

Why It Matters

Research shows:

37% of LGBTQ+ athletes worry about being themselves in non-inclusive leagues.
50% have experienced discrimination or exclusion in sports.

That includes pickleball players, even in leagues and clubs that call themselves "welcoming."

Belonging isn’t a slogan. It’s built through action.

How We Can Make Pickleball More Inclusive

Pickleball is still young, grassroots, and community-driven. That’s the power… and the opportunity.

Here’s how we all can help:

Show up visibly. Wear the rainbow shirt. Use the rainbow grip tape. Support local Pride events. Allyship isn’t just quiet approval — it’s action.
Start the conversation. Ask about inclusion policies at your club. Recommend more flexible, welcoming formats. Push for anti-discrimination language that’s clear.
Amplify LGBTQ+ voices. Feature them in podcasts, blogs, events, or social posts. If you run a tournament, make space for all identities.
Model inclusive culture. Respect pronouns. Greet new players warmly. Call out bad behavior, kindly but firmly. Inclusion is a team sport.

Pride Month — And Beyond

This Pride Month, we’re celebrating all the players working to make pickleball the most welcoming sport in the world, and calling each other in to do better.

So tell us:
What makes YOU feel welcome on the court? What still needs to change?

At Empower Pickleball, we're listening, learning, and sharing the voices shaping a more inclusive future.

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month — we’ll see you on the court. 🏳️‍🌈

Pride Month in Pickleball: Belonging, Barriers, and Why We Play