Stand for LGBTQ+ Equality

STAND FOR LGBTQ+ EQUALITY

We want to make Washington the most inclusive, safest state to play youth soccer in the country. We believe youth should play sports according to their gender identity and we work with experts to craft, amplify and share gender-inclusive policies. We are an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and amplify the voices of community experts.

CELEBRATE WITH PRIDE

Last June, we celebrated Pride Month! On Friday, June 24, we raised the Progress Pride Flag will be raised at Lumen Field, in honor of Pride Month! Stefan Cleveland and Kelyn Rowe joined three OL Reign players, Billie Avery, Co-chair of Starbucks Pride Network and Nor Luloff, a gender diverse soccer player from Washington Middle School for the honor. The flag flew high above Lumen Field during our Pride Match, and continued flying through OL Reign’s Pride Match on July 1.

After a two-year hiatus, the Seattle Pride Parade made a triumphant return! We were proud to show our Seattle Sports Pride at the parade on June 26, marching alongside OL Reign and our pro sports community, as well as WIAA athletes, coaches and those who have been positively impacted by the Gender Diverse Youth Sports Inclusivity Toolkit.

SPEND WITH PRIDE

To celebrate Pride Month, we teamed up with Intentionalist and the entire Seattle pro sports community to promote and encourage the community to visit and buy from local LGBTQ-owned small businesses. During June, fans uploaded their receipts from LGBTQ+-owned small businesses for the chance to win Sounders tickets and other fun prizes.

Throughout June, $24,431 was spent at LGBTQ+-owned small businesses, surpassing the $20,000 goal!

We want to make Washington the most inclusive, safest state to play youth soccer in the country. We believe youth should play sports according to their gender identity and we work with experts to craft, amplify and share gender-inclusive policies. We are an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and amplify the voices of community experts.

GENDER DIVERSE YOUTH SPORTS INCLUSIVITY TOOLKIT

Sounders FC is proud to endorse the Gender Diverse Youth Sports Inclusivity Toolkit. Designed by experts at WIAA and Trans Families, this free, digital toolkit is available for all youth coaches, K-12 teachers and administrators and parents in Washington State.

The toolkit has been produced to address the national dialogue around gender diverse students, teaching best practices and providing resources, as continued efforts toward inclusive practices and education are vital in the creation of an equitable playing field.

Sounders FC and our fellow teams stand behind the toolkit’s purpose in promoting inclusivity and building confidence in coaches, administrators, parents and youth in having conversations regarding gender diversity.

We encourage fans to share it with youth sports teams, leagues, coaches, parents, and provide productive feedback to feedback@wiaa.com.