Please sign this petition to support our request to the City of Miami Beach for weekly scheduled access to the 6 tennis courts at Bayshore Park on Tues, Wed or Thurs from 7-9pm during off hours.

SoBe HOT - South Beach House of Tennis (previously Miami Mavericks), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and an official chapter of the GLTA international organization, a worldwide circuit with over 100 local chapters across major cities including an annual 50+ tournament tour. SobeHOT is dedicated to providing safe, inclusive tennis programming for the LGBTQ+ community in Miami Beach and greater Miami since the late 1990’s. Our group serves over 200 community individuals promoting physical health, mental well-being, and meaningful community connection through sport.

Our challenge is that SoBeHOT has struggled for regular access to reserved public tennis courts. This has become a bigger challenge as all public courts in Miami Beach have become privatized and are largely booked by two companies for their paid programming. After years of searching for a permanent home, the newly installed courts at Bayshore Park represent a critical opportunity to offer consistent programming in a supportive, affirming environment. These public courts were originally intended to serve the community. SobeHot is not just in the community but represents a large and important part of it. Regular access would allow our community members a place to be themselves and exercise, reduce stress, and build lasting relationships rooted in shared experiences.

Off the court, SoBeHOT actively supports the Miami Beach community by partnering with multiple local businesses, hosting public events, and supporting the Miami Beach High School tennis team such as helping pay for annual awards, team outings at Miami Open and more. Miami Beach Senior High is voluntarily coached by one of our current board members, Jamieson Cox (4 years). Coach Cox (as everyone calls him in the community) has been instrumental in building the SoBeHOT community and the high school program, and yet, has been continuously denied access to these courts for our regular programming as well as teaching lessons for his players outside of team practice. 

Miami Beach has for long prided itself on diversity and inclusivity. Granting SoBeHOT the ability to reserve Bayshore Park courts for just two hours per week would further demonstrate the city’s commitment to equity, wellness, and access to public resources. Regular physical activity like tennis is proven to reduce chronic disease risk and improve mental health, and we are fully prepared to comply with all city safety and operational guidelines.

No community should be excluded from public spaces. By signing this petition, you help urge the Miami Beach City Council to support inclusivity, health, and community engagement by granting SoBe HOT permanent, reserved court access and helping us, our coach and our players feel like a respected and permanent part of the community that we live in. Your voice matters—please sign and help us continue uplifting the LGBTQ+ community in Miami Beach.