Getting Their Kicks

The 19th Annual Festival of the Babes, or FOB, as it's called, took place in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend, and I was lucky enough to witness this lesbian soccer-playing mayhem firsthand! What is FOB? According to the fest's website, it's a "women's soccer festival for lesbians and those willing to be mistaken for one."

While events were ostensibly organized around soccer games, FOB really seemed to be a lighthearted lovefest, highlighted by booze, BBQ's, dancing, sexual innuendo, after-parties, and, most important, team costumes. Twenty-four teams participate over two days, sometimes trotting down the field with beer cozies in hand! FOB draws teams from numerous cities, including Vancouver, Canada, where Shawna Peterson and Martha Lewis came up with the idea for this festival after attending the Gay Games there in 1990.

Each year FOB gives out two awards: the Buttercup Award in memory of Sarah Butterworth, a longtime FOB participant who died of brain cancer in 2003, and the FOB Team Spirit award, which includes a year's possession of the Artemis Award (an almost complete mannequin) for the team that "best displays that pure essence of FOBliness ... and teaches us all the best way to capture that lightness of spirit, in the midst of our competitive soccer obsession!" While the festival normally rotates among Vancouver, Portland, Ore., and San Francisco, in 2010 FOB will remain in San Francisco to celebrate its 20th year.

Cowgirl and Pussywhip, members of the Youmuffisms, celebrate after a win over Baybewatch.

In-N-Out Furburger (one of the festival's top scorers) and Pink Taco Belle offer up some lunch suggestions.

Hannah, the Oyster Captain of the Shuck Me's, tries to stave off the sting of a tough loss to Somethin' Naked with some mother's milk.

Mile High Millie had great assets for the Youmuffisms.

DJ Fuzz Bumper kept the tunes spinning for the festival.

These Canadian lumberjacks traveled all the way from Vancouver for the festival.

Members of Wii Not Fit (green and white) try to go downfield against roller derby girls Bump'em Grind'em.

Damnasty International from team EvilKuntEvil celebrates after jumping over the Grand Canyon.

Lorraina from the EvilKuntEvils loses a wheel from her bicycle!

Sabrina, the goalie for Rainbow Delight, waits patiently for someone from her team to bring her a bloody mary.

A member of GI Jane shows off the much-coveted Artemis Award!

Members of Baybewatch race to perform CPR during the opening ceremonies.