Mark Bingham, a hero of the United Flight 93 hijacking, left a lasting imprint on the LGBTQ+ community through his dedication to rugby. His legacy is preserved through the San Francisco Fog club and the expansive international Bingham Cup tournament.
The San Francisco Fog and the 2000 push for equality
In 2000, Mark Bingham helped establish the San Francisco Fog,which became the first gay rugby team in California and only the fourth of its kind globally. According to the report, Bingham used his position to urge teammates to act as role models, challenging the idea that gay men were merely "wallflowers waiting on the sideline." This effort was captured in a September 2026 photograph in Precita Park, San Francisco, showing Fog head coach Dany Samreth holding a Bingham Cup t-shirt.
This movement emerged during a period of significant legal struggle in the United States. In 2001, before same-sex marriage was legalized, fifteen states still maintained laws criminalizing consensual intimacy, and no state had yet recognized civil unions. While Vermont became the first state to recognize same-sex partnerships, and California signed the Civil Union Act, the era was still heavily defined by the AIDS epidemic and the loss of figures like Matthew Shepard.
From eight teams to a 100-nation Bingham Cup
The Bingham Cup, a biennial rugby competition named in honor of the Flight 93 hero, has seen massive growth over the decades. What began as a small gathering of just eight teams has evolved into a global phenomenon involving more than 100 international teams.
This tournament provides a vital stage for LGBTQ+ athletes to demonstrate talent and unity. As the source reports, the event serves to break down barriers, allowing young people to find a sense of belonging through sport. The scale of the tournament reflects how Bingham’s individual act of courage has been transformed into a collective, international movement for visibility.
Alice Hoagland’s mission to honor her son’s courage
Alice Hoagland, the mother of Mark Bingham, dedicated much of her life to championing her son's memory. Even after her death in 2020, her influence remains a cornerstone of the Bingham Cup's spirit. Hoagland was a frequent presence at these events, including the 2010 Minneapolis tournament, where she spoke about the "tradition of pride and strength" exhibited by her son and his teammates.
Hoagland often highlighted how ordinary men—including wrestlers and quarterbacks—stood with Bingham to confront terrorists on United Flight 93. Her presence at the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade, carrying her son's photograph, further cemented his status as a symbol of both heroism and community resilience.
The challenge of modern homophobia and religious exemptions
The Bingham Cup continues to grow, yet it faces a landscape of shifting social and legal challenges. The report highlights that contemporary LGBTQ+ advocacy is currently grappling with new obstacles, such as legal battles regarding religious exemptions and rising instances of modern-day homophobia.
However, the source does not provide specific details on the nature of these religious exemption battles or how they might directly impact international sporting events. This leaves an important question:how will the Bingham Cup and the San Francisco Fog navigate these legal shifts to ensure their mission of inclusion remains protected in an increasingly polarized political climate?
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