40 pics of queer joy from the Sin City Classic Sports Festival

In a time when reminders of queer joy and resilience are more needed than ever, these pics from Sin City Classic Sports Festival are sure to bring a smile to your face. Held every January during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Sin City Classic is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ sporting event. This year’s festival, presented by Lexus, marked its 19th anniversary and welcomed the return of 24 sports, including swimming, football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, softball, and even cornhole! Over 10,000 LGBTQ+ athletes, allies, and fans gathered at the Flamingo Las Vegas resort for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and community.

For more information about the Sin City Classic visit sincityclassic.org. You can also follow the Sin City Classic onFacebook, Instagram, orX.

Bowling is one of the two dozen sports featured at the Sin City Classic.

Seattle Cheer teammates bought some 'rah, rah, sis-boom-bah' energy to the festival.

A participant gears up for a powerful throw during a dodgeball tournament.

A festival entertainer clowns around on the court.

Views of the beautiful Nevada desert surround festival's golf course.

Kickball is a popular event at Sin City Classic.

Kickball is a real kick at this event!

A group of pickleball players get ready to play.

LeAnn Rimes performs for Sin City Classic participants at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

LeAnn Rimes onstage at Flamingo Las Vegas.

Friends gather at Sin City Classic's closing party at Brooklyn Bowl.

The crowd was alive at Sin City Classic's closing party.

Drag performers entertain the crowd at Sin City Classic's closing party.

A participant expertly runs the bases at a softball event.

Getting into the swing of things with a softball game.

Softball champion team the Duh-Mentias celebrate their victory.

Flamingo showgirls and Elvis himself made a surprise appearance at a swimming event.

A participant displays perfect form at a Sin City Classic swimming competition.

Participants giving it their all at a women's volleyball event.

Blast Off teammates pose for a quick pic between volleyball games.

Amazing athleticism on display during a men's volleyball event.

A great action shot captured at a Sin City Classic basketball game.

A participant goes for jump shot at a basketball event.

Cornhole players rejoice after making a great shot.

Participants seem to defy gravity during a flag football game.

Flag football heats up the desert!

Flag football

Participants of the 'Kicking Out Transphobia' soccer event.

Group shot of participants at the 'Kicking Out Transphobia' event.

The Gossip Grill softball team from San Diego.

Participants and friends gather for the Sin City Classic Sports Festival.

Of course women's softball is repped at this event!

Women's softball is always a hit.

Participants of the Ultimate Frisbee tournament.

Ultimate Frisbee tournament.

Participants of the women's basketball event came to play hard.

Women's basketball scores big.

The women's soccer event is always goals

Wrestling competitors at Sin City Classic go hard.

Men's wrestling has us pinned and excited for next year's event.