(AP) – Rugby teams from around the globe will be in London this weekend for the annual gay rugby world cup. The tournament, called the Bingham Cup, is named for Mark Bingham who played with the San Francisco Fog team. Bingham, widely recognized as a hero, died on September 11, 2001 when he and several other passengers on board United Airlines Flight 93 stormed the cabin to keep terrorists from striking their intended target, which was believed to be somewhere in Washington, D.C.

More than 27 international teams will take part in the cup, which aims to break down prejudice in sports. It is described as an international rugby competition “predominantly for gay and bisexual men” which does not bar straight players from taking part.

“It would be bizarre for us to put the same discrimination barriers in place – but in reverse,” organizers said. “We welcome straight players, but homophobes need not apply.”

Teams from the United States, Canada, France, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand will take part, and the Kings Cross Steelers RFC will represent London.

Steelers’ captain Peter Thompson, 27, admitted he had given up rugby before he found the team because of prejudice.

“I could not take my partner to the game,” he said. “I could not be myself.”

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, the Metropolitan Police and the president of the Rugby Football Union are among those supporting the event, which was first staged in 2002 in San Francisco.

San Diego’s newly formed gay rugby team, The Armada, will not be participating in the Bingham Cup this year. However, the team is recruiting new players to discover the game of rugby. Come out and join them for one of their practices on Sundays in Balboa Park from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the corner of Upas Street and Park Boulevard. The team also holds social practices on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Balboa Park along Sixth Avenue between Quince and Laurel streets.