Twenty-five years after the attacks of 11 September 2001, the legacy of Mark Bingham continues to resonate far beyond the events of that tragic day. Remembered as one of the passengers who fought back against the hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 93, Bingham is also celebrated as a pioneering gay rugby player whose name now adorns the world's largest LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby tournament. With the Bingham Cup set to come to Leeds in 2028, his story remains as relevant as ever.
When people remember 9/11, they often think first of the devastation in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Yet among the stories of loss emerged extraordinary acts of courage. Mark Bingham, a 31-year-old public relations executive and rugby player from California, was among the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, which had been hijacked by terrorists. After learning about the attacks unfolding elsewhere in the United States, Bingham and fellow passengers joined efforts to retake control of the aircraft. The plane ultimately crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, preventing it from reaching its intended target, believed to have been either the US Capitol or the White House.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Bingham's significance extends beyond his heroism on that day. He was openly gay at a time when visibility in men's sport remained limited. A talented rugby player, he represented the University of California, Berkeley, on championship-winning teams before helping establish the San Francisco Fog, one of the world's first gay-inclusive rugby clubs. At the time of his death, there were only a handful of gay and inclusive rugby clubs worldwide.
His bravery challenged stereotypes that persisted about gay men in the early 2000s. In the weeks following the attacks, media coverage frequently highlighted the fact that one of the heroes of Flight 93 was openly gay. For many LGBTQ+ people, Bingham became a symbol of a community whose contributions and sacrifices had often been overlooked. His story helped broaden public perceptions of what LGBTQ+ people looked like and the roles they played in society.
Yet perhaps Bingham's most enduring legacy can be found on rugby pitches around the world.
In 2002, just a year after his death, the inaugural Bingham Cup was held in San Francisco in his honour. What began as a memorial tournament has grown into the world's premier LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby competition, bringing together thousands of players from dozens of countries every two years. The tournament celebrates not only sporting excellence but also the values Bingham embodied: courage, inclusion, authenticity and community.
The growth of the tournament mirrors the growth of inclusive rugby itself. When Bingham played, gay rugby clubs were a rarity. Today, International Gay Rugby's network spans more than 100 clubs worldwide, creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to participate in the sport free from discrimination. Many players credit the Bingham Cup with helping them find both a sporting home and a sense of belonging.
The tournament's arrival in Leeds in 2028 will mark a significant moment for both the city and the UK LGBTQ+ sporting community. Leeds Hunters Rugby Club secured the right to host the event, bringing the competition to Yorkshire for the first time and returning it to Britain for the first time since Manchester hosted in 2012. Organisers expect thousands of players, supporters and visitors from around the globe to travel to the city for what is regarded as one of the biggest events in international inclusive sport.
The scale of the tournament reflects just how far Bingham's legacy has travelled. Leeds Hunters' successful bid envisions matches taking place across the city, with the final planned for Headingley Stadium. International Gay Rugby describes the Bingham Cup as the world's largest amateur rugby tournament, attracting up to 4,000 players.
For many competitors, however, the tournament is about more than rugby. Every Bingham Cup serves as a reminder of the man whose name it bears. Players gather not only to compete but also to celebrate inclusion and remember a figure whose life bridged sport, LGBTQ+ visibility and extraordinary courage.
Bingham's influence is also visible in the continued success of clubs such as the San Francisco Fog, which he helped found. The club remains a leading force in inclusive rugby and continues to share his story with new generations of players. His words about creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ people in sport still resonate today. In one message to teammates shortly before his death, Bingham reflected on how rugby had helped reconcile his love of the game with his identity as a gay man, and how inclusive clubs could become role models for others.
A quarter of a century after 9/11, Mark Bingham is remembered as both a national hero and a sporting pioneer. His actions aboard Flight 93 helped save lives. His example helped challenge stereotypes. And through the Bingham Cup, his name continues to inspire thousands of LGBTQ+ athletes around the world.
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