Palm Springs hosts first USTA sanctioned LGBT tournament

Liz McIntyre and her partner planed tennis on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Palm Springs, but it wasn’t just another match.

“For us, it’s part of history, the idea of equality in all aspects of life,” McIntyre says as she leaves the court, admittedly defeated.

The Plaza Racquet Club in Palm Springs on Baristo Road worked with the United States Tennis Association, or USTA, to host the first-ever tournament in which LGBT couples can compete in the couple’s division. As a result, gay partners joined by civil union, or gay spouses legally married, will have the same entry and competition levels as husband-wife couples.

“It’s amazing to be on the court to know we are fully part of USTA now, ” McIntyre says. “We pay our money and we’re like any other family.”

Shelley Hamilton, a snowbird, played with her partner as well. Hamilton says this is one of many reasons the United States looks to Palm Springs for examples in equality.

“This tournament for us is really important for the recognition of marriage laws,” Hamiltson says, “and for the recognition of same-sex partners.”

While this is the first of it’s kind, Director of Tennis at PRC Kurt Haggstrom says it was not without a challenge. Leading the efforts, Haggstrom had the Mayor of Palm Springs write letters to the USTA, along with other tennis pros in the area. Finally, the project was cleared.

“It means a lot more than just tennis. It has a lot to do with equality,” Haggstrom says, “and if you look across the country, gay couples are being recognized more often and this is a reflection of that.”

Haggstrom says the club hopes to host the tournament again over Thanksgiving weekend.

Anyone interested should contact the Plaza Racquet Club at 1300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, (760) 323-8997.