Pictured from left: Juana Judson, league president Forrest Bourquin and treasurer Amy Jakubiak.
Juana Judson was invited to join the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) bowling league five years ago, but was hesitant. She's straight and just didn't know if that would be a problem in the predominantly gay league.
However, after her first season ( 2004-05 ) , she was so respected by her peers that she was voted in as vice-president of the league.
"I took that [ vote ] as quite an honor being that it is a gay league," said Judson, 49, who is divorced and living in Old Irving Park.
Judson, born and raised on Chicago's North Side, is still a board member—and also an active bowler, competing on a team appropriately named The Juana Bees.
So why participate in the CMSA bowling league?
"The camaraderie," Judson said without hesitation. "The people are friendly. You get to meet a lot of different people. I'm not shy and I just like to be around people who like to have a good time."
The CMSA bowling league, which runs from late August through early May, is a 32-week grind. There are 32 teams this season, up 30 from the 2007-08 season.
Teams are composed of five bowlers, with up to three substitutes.
The action is held at Waveland Bowl on Friday nights, with CMSA occupying 32 of the building's 40 lanes. The other eight were used by a church group.
"I just love the game," said Judson, who has bowled since she was 16. "With bowling comes drinking … and this is a Friday night league. How perfect. I've met a lot of great people over the years, made some real good friendships. It's just a good time."
And she's also brought her son, Chris, 25, into the league. He, too, is straight.
"It's a good time, a very welcoming climate, whether you're gay or straight. People are just there to have fun, make friends," said Judson, who once bowled a 296.
The league features players from the city and the suburbs, and even some from Indiana and Wisconsin. Bowlers range in age from 21 to 70. About 90 percent are male, and about 93 percent are LGBT.
The 2008-09 season features five new teams and a lot of first-time bowlers, Judson said: "They may not be great bowlers average-wise, but they have a lot of fun." There are two divisions, which are not based on competitive skill level.
Judson confirmed that league organizers could, and might, expand to 40 teams for the 2009-2010 season.
And what about the traditional wacky bowling shirts?
"Believe it or not, the gay community isn't big on 'goofy bowling shirts,'" Judson said. "And that kind of surprises me. On one hand, gay men love to put on a show. But on the other hand, gay men like to look good, so they don't want to look goofy."
