Alternative Fighter Association

Transgender athletes around the world have long suffered implicit exclusion from competitive sports. While trans visibility in the public eye has grown, so have what were once implied exclusions, now becoming pronounced, explicit and prohibitive over the past years.

Viewed often as a side show at best, trans athletes have rarely been given a stage to showcase our talents. The Alternative Fighter Association is guided by the need for safe and fair competition in combat sports for people of all backgrounds, identities and walks of life. Centring for the first time folks who have struggled so mightily to find safety and belonging. Founded by members of the Queer and Trans community in Seattle, WA, during a time of pronounced discrimination and marginalization. AFA centers athletes from the broad, indomitable tapestry of LGBTQIA+ identities but was created for everyone. Our mission: create a global network of events for trans athletes and our comrades to compete, outside the restrictive and prohibitive boundaries of commercial combat sports. We present Alternative Fighter Association, the first international combat sports organization created by queer and trans coaches & fighters, for queer and trans athletes and our comrades.