As pickleball grows, many call it welcoming and inclusive, but for queer women, inclusion means having spaces where visibility, belonging, and safety feel built in from the start. In conversations with players, leaders, and communities across the sport, it’s clear that progress is being made, but there’s still work to do.

Belonging Started at the Baseline

Sarah Ansboury playing at a Major League Pickleball event

When Sarah Ansboury first picked up a paddle in 2014, she wasn’t chasing medals. A longtime tennis coach and now the Managing Director at PPR, Sarah found herself drawn into pickleball by something simpler: a sense of belonging.

"I think a lot of what kept me in it was the community," she said. "If it wasn’t for the people I was playing with and that sense of 'let’s keep playing,' I don’t know how engaged I would’ve been."

In those early years, Sarah says the sense of connection was unmatched. "It didn’t matter how good we were. If someone was at the park and looked interested, we’d say, 'Come play with us.' That idea of giving back and including people was a huge part of the culture."

Now, more than a decade later, that community feel is still what drives her, especially as the sport grows in popularity. "Most people aren’t chasing medals. They just want to get out of the house, be social, and make friends. That’s still the heart of it."

Lee Whitwell – top senior pro, coach, and co-founder of Game ChangeHER – echoed a similar sentiment:

“The magic of pickleball is at the grassroots: the local courts, the rec play, the friendships. It’s where lives change daily. It’s not just about the sport, it’s about belonging to something.”

Pickleball’s growing visibility has brought more queer women into the spotlight. Top players like Catherine Parenteau, Irina Tereschenko, and Lacy Schneemann have also been open about their identities. Many have shared that being out in pickleball hasn’t hindered their careers. If anything, it’s helped create a stronger sense of belonging and business opportunity in a sport that feels more inclusive than most.

Visibility Matters – And It Always Has

But being one of the first openly gay players on the pro circuit came with challenges.

"I was the only gay person on the scene when I started," Sarah said. "Most of the tournaments were in Utah and Arizona, and it felt very conservative. There were times I’d hear people talk about me on the court, not necessarily in a negative way, but in a sexualized way. That was weird."

Sarah made a conscious decision to be open about who she was.

"When I coached tennis, I didn’t hide it, but I also didn’t talk about it much. In pickleball, I made a choice to be open, and I think that made an impact. I’d have people come up to me and say, 'My partner and I have been together 40 years. We just got married.'“ Sarah shared that those types of conversations happened all the time.

Her visibility has inspired others, though she admits that wasn’t her goal at first. "If even one or two people feel more comfortable being themselves because of me, that’s amazing. But it also made me realize that people are watching, and that comes with responsibility."

Designing Inclusive Space – On and Off Court

Rally Pickleball founders, Megan Charity and Barrett Worthington

In Charlotte, NC, Megan Charity is helping redefine what pickleball can look like. By blending hospitality, play, and identity, she and her team at Rally Pickleball have created a model that goes beyond the court, proving how intentional design and inclusive programming can transform a sport into a true community hub.

"We were super intentional about not just what Rally is, but how it feels," Megan said. "The moment someone walks in, we want them to feel warm, welcomed, and a little surprised or wowed. That meant obsessing over the lighting, the playlist, the design, but also the programming."

One of those programs is Queer Pickles, a rotating social league specifically designed for LGBTQ+ players and allies.

"Queer Pickles was personal. As a queer founder, I know how powerful it is to walk into a space and not have to wonder if you’re welcome. We didn’t want to just say Rally is inclusive; we wanted to show it, consistently."

The results speak for themselves. "We’ve built an awesome queer community, and we’ve seen real friendships and relationships grow out of that programming. It’s one of the things I’m proudest of."

Across the country, clubs like Lavender Pickleball (CO/AZ), Queer Pickle in NYC, and the Queer Pickleball Club in Toronto are creating grassroots spaces for LGBTQ+ players. Many tie into Pride events, like Orlando’s Pride Cup and West Hollywood’s annual Pride Pickleball Tournament, showing how inclusive play is expanding at both local and national levels.

What Inclusion Looks Like Now—and Next

Visibility for LGBTQ+ players is better now than it was a decade ago, but there are still gaps.

"We’ve definitely come a long way," Sarah said. "There are places doing it well, like Tampa Pickleball Crew or Rally Pickleball, but it still doesn’t get talked about enough. Inclusion has to be more than surface-level."

Lee agrees that inclusion in pickleball often transcends identity labels altogether:

“At the end of the day, the real measure on the court is simple: can you hold your own, and are you a good person to play with? It doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, young, old – none of that defines you on the court.”

And for many rec players, inclusion can vary depending on where you play and who you encounter. One player shared, “In my experience it’s fairly inclusive, but I think it depends a lot on where you go. There are always outliers.” They recalled a recent incident where a player made demeaning comments toward beginners learning on the court, but emphasized that most players are welcoming once you’ve found your skill level.

Sarah believes clubs, brands, and organizers can all play a part.

"Something as simple as a social media post matters. Acknowledging people matters. You don’t need to do the most. You just need to show that you see us."

And for young LGBTQ+ players just getting into the sport?

"Know who you are and what you want," Sarah said. "Whether you want to be a pro or just play socially, be clear on your goals. Find a mentor who reflects the values you admire. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing."

Her hope for the future of pickleball is simple: "Bring the focus back to community. We need to grow the game itself, not just the business of it."

Lifting Each Other Up

Lee Whitwell at one of her Game ChangeHER events.

Beyond her playing career, Lee is also working to build inclusive spaces for women through her company, Game ChangeHER.

“We created Game ChangeHER because we’ve seen firsthand how pickleball changes lives, especially for women over 45. It’s about empowerment, friendships, and creating a space where everyone feels seen and supported.”

She hopes to continue expanding these experiences, proving that the sport’s real power lies in community and connection, not just competition.

The Final Point

From grassroots leagues to tournaments, queer women are shaping the future of pickleball. Whether it’s leadership, programs like Queer Pickles, or simply showing up, they’re building a sport that’s more inclusive, joyful, and connected – exactly what Pride Month celebrates.

Queer Women in Pickleball: Visibility, Community, and What’s Still Growing