Throughout June we’ll be chronicling on this page the support that various athletes, teams, leagues and athletic departments are showing for the LGBTQ community and Pride Month.
This is in addition to the countless teams and leagues that have changed their social-media avatars to Pride rainbow, and the 29 Pride Nights taking place in Major League Baseball.
A sampling of the Pride support in sports, which we’ll update regularly…
Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings got their first-ever sell-out at College Park Center on June 9 for the team’s Pride Night. A big draw was certainly Brittney Griner, playing for the Phoenix Mercury.
⚡️𝙎𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝙊𝙐𝙏⚡️for Pride Night 🏳️🌈
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) June 8, 2023
Buy tickets to future games ➡️ https://t.co/wxj0Yi7FYW pic.twitter.com/0j0xXY1hFm
Washington Spirit
The NWSL team hosting a drag show for the ages on June 3, with a halftime that “will go down in Spirit history,” the club said.
A drag queen/king performance at halftime will go down in Spirit history! pic.twitter.com/AGrAfKu0FI
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) June 4, 2023
Scott Laughton, Philadelphia Flyers
The NHL Players’ Association is celebrating Pride by changing their Twitter avatar to rainbow. They also highlighted the support Philadelphia Flyers’ Scott Laughton shows the community “year-round.” They quoted Laughton: “I think people should be welcome to play the game of hockey. … It doesn’t matter who you love….”
.@Laughts21’s support of Pride initiatives is a year-round endeavour – from hosting members of the LGBTQ+ community at @NHLFlyers games, to raising money for causes supporting the #NHLPride community: https://t.co/oboeFqV99l pic.twitter.com/Dce4ZeFDl7
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) June 7, 2023
Washington Nationals
The Nationals hosted their annual Night Out on Tuesday, June 6. And part of the festivities were Pride flags on bikes for the Presidents Race, plus drag queen Lady Camden. Plus their Night Out giveaway — an awesome Pride bobblehead — is Ken Schultz’s favorite Pride giveaway of the year. The Nationals also changed their social media avatar to Pride rainbow.
THE LARGE PRESIDENT MASCOTS SAY HAPPY PRIDE !!! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 7, 2023
+ 💗 @LadyCamden pic.twitter.com/cvOredEJCm
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies were part of the Mid South Pride celebration in Memphis, handing out rainbow necklaces as part of the celebration. The team is selling Pride merchandise, including with the tagline “Memphis Is Love.”
Authentically you! We had an amazing time with you all at Memphis Pride! 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/V2rvH5AT7q
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) June 4, 2023
Gritty, Philadelphia Flyers
Pro sports’ most popular mascot again celebrated Pride, carrying the Pride rainbow flag for the Philadelphia Flyers and sharing some pics on Twitter.
All you need is love pic.twitter.com/fLI3pi301A
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) June 5, 2023
Minnesota United FC fans
Fans of Minnesota United FC unfurled a massive banner during the club’s Pride Night against Toronto FC, telling trans people they “belong here.” The banner was in the shape of the Minnesota, and in the colors of the trans pride flag.
You Belong Here 🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/NZOHpH8WlS
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 4, 2023
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
An outfielder for the Mariners, Rodriguez tweeted his support of the LGBTQ community wearing a rainbow “Love Wins” shirt with heart and rainbow-flag emojis. From the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez was last season’s AL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star. He’s again a candidate for the All-Star Game, and you can vote here.
June ❤️🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/ShVxVltgv0
— Julio Rodriguez🇩🇴🦁 (@JRODshow44) June 1, 2023
Marcus Strohman, Chicago Cubs
Cubs pitcher Marcus Strohman tweeted his support for the LGBTQ community and put his money where his mouth is, promising donations to three different LGBTQ-focused charities: Brave Space in Chicago, Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York and The 519 in Toronto.
Love is love! #PrideMonth @BraveSpaceChi @HetrickMartin @The519 pic.twitter.com/tV3O4QgQui
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 1, 2023