"A Queer Try" is an inspiring three-part documentary series that unfolds the remarkable journey of the Ulster Titans, Northern Ireland's pioneering gay-friendly rugby team. From their humble beginnings in 2007 with no kit, no playing grounds, and no opponents, the series captures the transformative evolution of this diverse group of individuals into a formidable team of 25 members, both gay and straight.
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The three-part documentary series, “A Queer Try,” which premiered on BBC One Northern Ireland on September 5, 2007, is a powerful and heartwarming exploration of the Ulster Titans, Northern Ireland’s first recognized gay-friendly rugby team. The series, produced and directed by Ian Dougan, provides an intimate look into the team’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a force to be reckoned with on the rugby pitch.
The Ulster Titans emerged in the summer of 2007, a group of men facing numerous challenges – no kit, no playing grounds, and no teams to compete against. The driving force behind their formation was a shared commitment to establishing a talented and recognized gay rugby team. The series follows their struggles and triumphs over the course of a year, chronicling their evolution from a small group of individuals to a cohesive and formidable team of 25 members, comprising both gay and straight players.
At the heart of the narrative is the team’s pursuit of glory at The Bingham Cup, an international rugby competition named after Mark Kendall Bingham, a victim of the September 11 attacks known for his passion for rugby and his involvement with the gay and bisexual rugby team, San Francisco Fog RFC. The documentary seamlessly weaves together the sports narrative with the unique personalities and backgrounds of the team members, creating a melting pot of stories from a group of remarkable men.
The series captures the Ulster Titans’ determination to break barriers and gain acceptance in the testosterone-driven world of rugby. Through emotional ups and downs, the team blossoms into better players, engages in a fashion show, participates in their first Gay Pride as a united team, and even poses for a nude rugby team calendar. The documentary also delves into the political controversy sparked by Sports Minister Edwin Poots, who controversially likened the establishment of a gay rugby team to ‘apartheid.’
“A Queer Try” is not merely a sports story but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The team’s journey is marked by blood, sweat, and tears, but it is also punctuated by moments of laughter and triumph. The documentary challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of gay men in sports and introduces them to a group of individuals whose experiences on the road to The Bingham Cup are both unique and universally relatable.
Ian Dougan, the producer and director, reflects on his experience with the Ulster Titans, describing it as “beyond what [he] could have hoped for.” The series is a Straightforward production for BBC Northern Ireland, offering a poignant and inspiring narrative that goes beyond the boundaries of sports, making it an unforgettable and enriching viewing experience. “A Queer Try” is a celebration of diversity, acceptance, and the indomitable spirit of a group of extraordinary individuals.
