When Brazilian rugby star Izzy Cerullo took the field at the 2016 Olympics, she had no idea she was about to become a queer icon. But after her then-girlfriend proposed on live television-mid-Games, mid-glory-Cerullo found herself at the center of a global moment that said everything about visibility, identity, and the politics of being queer on the world stage.

In Episode 10 of The Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna unravel how an impromptu proposal turned into a cultural flashpoint. Was it empowerment? Exploitation? Or just love in a very public place?

We get into the messy, beautiful truth: how queer athletes often become symbols whether they like it or not, how the media spins a moment into a movement, and why Cerullo’s story still hits hard nearly a decade later.

Expect candid talk about LGBTQ representation in sports, the unintentional politics of being visible, and what happens when your private life becomes Olympic history.

New episodes drop weekly. This one? You won’t want to miss.

Episode 9 of the Gay Rugby Podcast drops straight into the action at NORAM Cup 2025 in Boston, where something unprecedented unfolded on the pitch: the third-ever all-trans rugby match. In a tournament known for celebrating inclusive sport, this year’s moment felt bigger-more urgent, more electric. Trans athletes came together from across North America, uniting in a game that wasn’t just about rugby, but about identity, visibility, and taking space in a world that hasn’t always made room.At the heart of the match was Val Pizzo, president of Baltimore Flamingos RFC and the founder of the All Trans Match. Val joins us in this episode to talk about how a radical idea—bringing together trans and nonbinary rugby players for one unified match-turned into a full-blown movement. From the first match in Charlotte in 2023 to Boston’s record-breaking showdown, the Trans Match has become a symbol of resistance and joy, one scrum at a time.Shot on location at the NORAM Cup, the largest LGBTQ and inclusive rugby tournament in North America, the episode captures what it means when community and sport collide. We go behind the scenes with players, reflect on the evolution of trans-inclusive rugby, and dig into what makes these moments matter—not just to rugby fans, but to anyone who believes sport should belong to everyone.The Gay Rugby Podcast is more than banter and breakdowns-it’s where the lines between grassroots rugby, queer culture, and collective resistance get blurred. In this episode, you’ll hear how International Gay Rugby (IGR) continues to back this growing wave of trans visibility in sports, and how clubs like the Baltimore Flamingos are building platforms that are reshaping what inclusive sport looks like.This isn’t just a game. It’s the start of something bigger.

North American rugby is changing-and the biggest tournament on the continent is leading the charge. In this episode of the Gay Rugby Podcast, Jack Higgins and Ozzie Luna sit down with Quinton Leduc for an in-depth interview about NORAM 2025, the next major event in North America rugby. Hosted in Boston by the Boston Ironsides, NORAM Cup 2025 is more than just a rugby tournament. It’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ rugby, inclusive sports, and the queer athletes who are redefining what gay sports can look like.The NORAM Cup rugby event brings together teams from across the U.S. and Canada in one of the largest gatherings of its kind. With divisions for Men’s+, Women’s+, and a dedicated trans rugby match, NORAM Boston isn’t shying away from the tough questions-like “can trans people play rugby?” and “should trans women play rugby?” The answer, here, is a loud yes.In our conversation with Quinton Leduc-Vice Chair of International Gay Rugby (IGR) and VP of the Boston Ironsides-we explore what makes this Rugby tournament 2025 so unique. From his work with the IGR Clubhouse community to his vision for inclusive rugby in North America, Quinton offers rare insight into how this movement is being built from the ground up.We also look ahead to The Bingham Cup 2026, the global championship for IGR clubs and arguably the Super Bowl of gay rugby. Whether you’re deep into rugby in USA or just curious about rugby in America and how inclusive it's become, this episode sheds light on how North American rugby is evolving-and who’s driving that change.If you're into inclusive sports, want to hear about the future of gay rugby, or just love hearing passionate people talk about the community they've built through competition, this one’s for you.