Washington DC (June 3, 2024) – Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), its professional sports teams, foundations and employees are committed to supporting all members of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating Pride Month. Throughout the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Monumental Sports’ efforts have donated more than $60,000 to LGBTQ+ causes in the DMV region.
The Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, MSE Foundation and Unity, an LGBTQ+-focused, employee-led organization, are working to ensure that all who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual have access to ongoing support. MSE partnered with Giant and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) on a number of initiatives in support of SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Young Advocates and Leaders) this year.
“We are more than just allies; we are fierce advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and partner with those who share our commitment,” said Kimberly Harris, CareFirst’s director of community health and social impact. “Our collaboration with Monumental Sports and Entertainment is a great contribution to our support of local organizations like SMYAL that serve this region and advance culturally inclusive care.”
To kick off the Pride Month celebration, MSE put up Pride graphics on outdoor boards and banners at Capital One Arena on May 30. Throughout the month of June, Pride graphics will be displayed on rotating outdoor boards, reaching thousands of people who travel to and from Downtown DC each day.
MSE, along with Giant, the official pride partner of the Washington Mystics, Wizards and Capitals, will be participating in the annual Capital Pride Parade in conjunction with the Capital Pride Alliance on Saturday, June 8. Representatives from Monumental Sports will be accompanying a branded video truck displaying the MSE Pride logo and a video featuring highlights of MSE Pride efforts from the past year. The parade will follow a new route this year, starting at 3 p.m. at 14th Avenue and T Street NW and ending at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street NW.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics will host their annual Pride Game presented by Giants on June 22. The Mystics Pride Game is an event that proudly celebrates and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community. There will be in-game content that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, highlights members of the community, and includes messages about inclusion and equality. The Mystics team store will also sell new Pride merchandise, including the latest addition to the Sticsclusive Apparel Collection, a new limited-edition apparel collection launched by the Mystics this season. Before the game, the Mystics will host a special Pride-themed brunch at Sycamore & Oak as the second installment of the team’s Brunch & Basketball series. The Mystics also offered a special Pride ticket offer package earlier in the season that included tickets to the Pride Game and a Mystics Pride-themed fan jersey. During the game, the Mystics and the MSE Foundation will make a $10,000 donation to local LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
“We’re excited to once again partner with Monumental Sports to celebrate Pride Nights at Washington Mystics games during Pride Month,” said Diane Hicks, Giant Foods senior vice president of operations and executive sponsor of Giant’s Pride Business Resource Group. “Giant Food is committed to diversity and inclusion within our operations and throughout each of the communities we serve, and we’re pleased to support the diverse voices that make our communities special.”
Washington Wizards
During the season, the Wizards hosted the team’s annual Pride Night on March 29th, hosted by the Giants. Before the game, fans were invited to a pre-game block party in District E, sponsored by Ticketmaster, and a special Giants happy hour, where Pride koozies and Pride souvenir cups were distributed to the first 100 fans. The Wizards’ Pride Night also featured cherry blossom-themed food and drink specials. The Wizards donated more than $10,000 to SMYAL through Pride Night. MSEF also donated $10,000, and a 50/50 raffle that night benefited SMYAL. Additionally, the Giants donated $5,000 to SMYAL.
Washington Capitals
In March, the Capitals participated in the Giants’ Pride Night for the eighth consecutive year. In-game content highlighted members, messages and themes of the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow avatars were used on the Capitals’ social accounts, and fans were encouraged to post on social media with the #CapsPride hashtag. Fans were invited to a pre-game block party in District E, where the band Steal the Sky performed and local LGBTQ+ community organizations were also in attendance. Additionally, the Capitals shared video content during the game and on social media featuring Capitals players and front office staff about the importance of equality and inclusion.
The Capitals and MSE Foundation’s Pride Auction, which featured autographed sticks from players wrapped in rainbow “Pride tape,” raised $27,375 for SMYAL, with a portion of the funds going to Team DC and the MSE Foundation. Additionally, the Giants presented SMYAL with a check for $5,000, officially kicking off the fundraising effort. Proceeds from the Capitals 50/50 Raffle on March 20 also went to SMYAL.
Unity – Employee Resource Group
Under MSE’s strategic focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is the Unity Employee Resource Group, which works to support an environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual staff and allies are engaged, empowered and able to express their full diversity and individuality. Impactful initiatives this year include the rollout of an MSE pronoun guide for employees, the creation of an LGBTQ+ toolkit, mandatory LGBTQ+ inclusion training for all staff and a National Coming Out Day clothing drive to benefit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. Through MSE’s ERG grant program, the organization handpicked OutCare Health to receive a $5,000 donation.
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About Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading sports and entertainment family. Our people, players, teams and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We continually elevate the game through investment and innovation, delivering amazing experiences that inspire and unite our communities, fans and employees. For more information, visit https://monumentalsports.com/.
