USA Soccer to wear rainbow numbers during LGBTQ Pride Month
By Jason Parker
USA Soccer will wear the special uniforms for matches played during the month of June, later auctioning off them to raise money for charity.
During the month of June, people across the country will be celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month in honor of those who have fought for equality in the gay and lesbian community.
The sports world will take part in the events as well, honoring their fans and players who are members of the LGBTQ community — and USA soccer is going one step above all the rest.
Both the men’s and women’s national teams will be wearing special uniforms during the games played in the coming month, with the numbers being in the design and colors of the rainbow pride that symbolizes the LGBTQ movement:
🇺🇸 x 🏳️🌈. To celebrate LGBTQ Pride month, the #USMNT and #USWNT will wear pride-inspired rainbow numbers.
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) May 26, 2017
Details: https://t.co/WwC7qCZ36z pic.twitter.com/WHJagaFMHk
USA Soccer will be partnering with the You Can Play Project, which was created to promote equality and ensure respect and safety for all athletes, coaches and staff regardless of their sexual orientation or gender.
After the games are played — with the men’s team playing a friendly in Utah on June 3rd against Venezuela and the women’s team playing two games the following week in Norway and Sweden — they will be auctioned off to raise money for various charities. Fans will also have a chance to purchase replica uniforms and hats with the rainbow pride design during the month as well.
Soccer played a huge role in the LGBTQ movement and helping in the recovery following the Pulse nightclub shooting, in which 49 people lost their lives at the popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida almost one year ago. USA Soccer created the hashtag #OneNation while men’s captain Michael Bradley wore a rainbow armband during a game that was later auctioned off for charity.
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The MLS’s Orlando City Lions created a permanent reminder of the tragedy, honoring the victims with 49 seats painted in the colors of the rainbow pride flag inside their new stadium that opened in March. It’s located in Section 12 to remember the June 12 date in which the tragic event took place.