Created in 1977, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) is a non-profit international organization comprised of men and women dedicated to promoting amateur athletics for the gay community. NAGAAA was formed to encourage the participation of the gay men and women in organized softball competition.

Currently, approximately 40 gay softball leagues in some 35 cities throughout the United States and Canada are members of NAGAAA. Teams representing these leagues participate in NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series (GSWS), hosted each year by a different member city.

NAGAAA currently has two divisions: Open and Women's. The Women's Division is comprised exclusively of women's teams and has three divisions: A, B and C. The Open Division is comprised of teams made up of men and women's or teams that are exclusively male. In addition, the Open Division is further classified into four divisions: A, B, C and D. The divisions pertain to the competitive level of play.

Where NAGAAA is headed

While the primary focus of NAGAAA remains as the organized athletic competition of gay softball, NAGAAA is also committed to helping our community. Through its annual talent show (held each year during GSWS week), NAGAAA raises thousands of dollars which go to support various local HIV/AIDS and other organizations in the host city \ of that year's GSWS.

The legacy of NAGAAA will be kept and passed down to future generations of softball players from current and new member cities by way of a "Hall of Fame". During 1997, NAGAAA initiated a "Hall of Fame" to honour the achievements (both on and off the playing field) of people and member cities in gay softball. In 1997, NAGAAA inducted the founding fathers from New York and San Francisco. In 1998, the first woman was included among the inductees in a ceremony held during the GSWS festivities.

NAGAAA:

• Supports annually the Gay Softball World Series and through fund-raising activities a these games supports national and local AIDS organizations and other charities.
• Give participants from member cities the opportunity to travel to other cities across the US and Canada to meet new people and form bonds of friendship that will last of lifetime
• Promotes the idea of athletic competition and good physical heath in support of gay lifestyle - Encourages the formation of new gay softball leagues and assists in their start up - Provides an opportunity for gay men and women to work and socialize together for common goals.
• Provides a communications link between the leagues and the gay community in member cities as well as with other gay organizations within the member cities.
• Strives for high standards of sportsmanship and conduct to attain fair play on and off the field.

NAGAAA Web site