Louisville’s professional soccer clubs will celebrate Pride Month throughout June, including at an upcoming doubleheader home game weekend featuring new and returning partners.
Racing Louisville FC hosts the Houston Dash on Friday, June 7, for its Pride Night, and the first 1,500 fans can pick up a complimentary Pride bucket hat on their way into Lynn Family Stadium. On Saturday, June 8, it’s LouCity’s Pride Night complete with a Pride flag giveaway to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of U.S. Bank.
A line of Pride merchandise is now on sale at the Lynn Family Stadium team store and online at LouSoccerStore.com. All proceeds from sales will go to Louisville Youth Group, which is dedicated to providing LGBTQIA+ youth and allies skills and experiences to help them thrive as community leaders now and in the future.
After both Pride Night games, fans can head to Play Dance Bar, at 1101 E. Washington Street, for the official after party. Admission to Play is free after all home matches this year simply by showing your ticket.
“Here at LouCity and Racing we strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all fans and athletes who visit Lynn Family Stadium throughout the year,” said Stephanie Burdorf, the clubs’ community engagement manager. “Through our Pride efforts and other areas of support, we are advocating for LGBTQ+ rights on and off the field. We look forward to celebrating our Pride and allyship loud and proud with our fans throughout the month of June.”
In addition to home game activations, representatives of both clubs are also partnering this month on a fundraising campaign through Athlete Ally, which “believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity and experience in sports — regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”
LouCity player Sam Gleadle is leading efforts, suggesting fans can opt in through Athlete Ally to make a general donation or pledge around predetermined parameters such as wins or goals scored in June.
Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez and assistant coach Carmelina Moscato will also speak at the 2024 Athlete Ally Activism Summit at the University of Louisville. The summit is a unique four-day event for LGBTQ+ collegiate student athletes and their allies running from June 27-30.
Later this summer, Lynn Family Stadium will host a Louisville Pride Foundation social support group. The clubs are also planning to have a presence at the Louisville Pride Foundation’s annual Pride Festival held in September in the Highlands neighborhood.
