Every Serve. Every Story. Every One: GLTA Celebrates 35 Years
Thirty-five years ago, a group of courageous and visionary volunteers shared a dream: to create a worldwide tennis tour where members of the LGBTQIA+ community could meet, celebrate, and compete in a safe space free from stigma.
From the very beginning, their vision for the tour was about more than just competition. They envisioned a global community where everyone belongs, where diversity is celebrated, and where lifelong friendships are forged across generations, cultures, languages, international borders, genders, and identities. This month, as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA), we honor that bold vision and the extraordinary community that brought it to life.
This remarkable milestone is not simply about the passage of time. It is about the thousands of players who have found their home, their family, and their purpose on our courts. From our very first official tournament—held in San Diego, California, over the July 4th weekend in 1991—the GLTA has grown to over 90 tournaments across six continents. Today, we boast over 7,000 active athletes and more than 12,000 alumni who have shaped our history.
This month, we celebrate:
- Our founders, who dared to imagine a more inclusive future and laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
- Our tournament directors, volunteers, club leaders, and board members, who took that foundational vision and expanded it into the thriving worldwide tour we see today.
- And, most importantly, our players, who step onto a GLTA court bringing their passion, courage, and authentic selves.
Throughout our history, the GLTA has stood for something far greater than athletic excellence. We have created spaces where confidence grows, communities thrive, and no one has to feel alone. For many, a GLTA tournament is much more than a sporting event—it is a homecoming, a family reunion, a platform for self-expression, a fashion show, a dance party, and a beautiful reminder that acceptance can be found anywhere our community gathers.
Inclusion is not a passive word for us. It isn’t a box we check or a policy we review once a year. It is our living, breathing mission. When we say everyone is welcome, we mean every single member of our beautifully diverse family.
Let me be entirely clear: that absolutely, unequivocally includes our transgender players, who continue to face rampant discrimination and violence in society and sport simply for having the courage to live authentically. We celebrate every serve, every story, and every one—no matter who they are, how they play, or where they come from. That will never change.
Our journey has not been without challenges. The world has changed dramatically over the past three and a half decades, and our organization has evolved with it. We have navigated uncertainty, embraced innovation, and emerged stronger because of the resilience and compassion of our members. Every hurdle has only strengthened our resolve to build an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we also look ahead with immense optimism. The next chapter of the GLTA Tour belongs to a new generation of players and leaders who will continue to expand our reach, modernize our tour, and inspire even more people to discover the joy of tennis. Together, we will keep creating opportunities for participation, fostering international friendships, and championing equality both on and off the court.
To honor our 35-year legacy, we have launched several exciting initiatives for the remainder of the year:
- Commemorative 35th Anniversary Logo: You will see our new anniversary branding across our website, social media, and publications. If you would like to include this logo on tournament t-shirts, trophies, or promotional materials, please contact the GLTA Board for digital assets.
- The Player Stories Interview Project: Because the history of the GLTA is written by its people, we are launching a special 35-day campaign on our social media channels (Instagram: @gltaworldtour and Facebook: @GLTAWorldTour). Tune in daily for short, inspiring interviews with players, tournament directors, board members, and spectators who share their favorite international tour memories and what the GLTA means to them.
- The GLTA Merch Store: Later this month, you will be able to start purchasing official Pride Tennis Worldwide and GLTA-branded merchandise. We are thrilled to share that proceeds from the store will fund charitable initiatives to be announced later this year.
Our mission remains just as urgent today as it was 35 years ago. While the world around us can feel increasingly divided, sport reminds us that respect, fairness, and shared passion can transcend our differences. Every match we play reflects not only our love of the game, but our unyielding belief in dignity and the power of human connection.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you have been with us since San Diego in 1991 or have just recently joined the GLTA family, your enthusiasm and spirit make this organization what it is today—and what it will continue to be for the next 35 years and beyond.
Let us honor our history, embrace our present, and look confidently toward the future. The story of the GLTA Tour is still being written, and together, we will ensure its finest chapters are yet to come.
Here’s to 35 years of friendship, competition, inclusion, and pride—and to many more years of serving, rallying, and growing together around the world.
With gratitude,
Matt Feinberg
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pride Tennis Worldwide / GLTA
