WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 3, 2024) – Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), its professional sports teams, foundation, and employees support all members of the LGBTQ+ community and are eager to celebrate Pride Month. Throughout the 2023-24 fiscal year, Monumental Sports efforts have yielded over $60K donated to LGBTQ+ causes in the DMV region.
Collectively, the Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, MSE Foundation, and Unity, the LGBTQ+-focused and employee-led collective, engage in numerous activities to help empower all who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or asexual in continued allyship. MSE partnered with Giant and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) on many of this year’s initiatives supporting SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders).
“We strive to be more than allies – we’re fierce advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, partnering with those who share our commitment,” said Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact at CareFirst. “The collaboration with Monumental Sports and Entertainment has been a great addition to our support of local organizations, like SMYAL, that serve this community and advance culturally inclusive care.”
To kick off Pride Month celebrations, MSE featured a Pride graphics takeover on the external boards and banners at Capital One Arena on May 30. Throughout June, Pride graphics will be displayed in the external board rotation, visible to thousands as they travel to and through Downtown, D.C. each day.
MSE will participate in the annual Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8 in collaboration with the Capital Pride Alliance alongside Giant, the official Pride Partner for the Washington Mystics, Wizards, and Capitals. Monumental Sports representatives will be accompanied by a branded video truck displaying the MSE Pride logo and a video featuring highlights of MSE Pride initiatives from the past year. The parade will follow a new route this year starting at 14th and T Streets NW at 3 p.m. and ending at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Streets NW.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics will host their annual Pride Game presented by Giant on June 22. The Mystics Pride Game is an unapologetic celebration and upliftment of the LGBTQ+ community. It will feature in-game content that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, spotlights community members, and includes messages about inclusion and equality. The Mystics team store will also feature new Pride merchandise, including the latest installment of the Sticsclusive Apparel Collection, a new limited edition apparel collection the Mystics launched this season. Before the game, the Mystics will host the second installment of the team’s Brunch & Basketball series with a special Pride-themed brunch at Sycamore & Oak. The Mystics also offered a Pride Special Ticket Offer package at the beginning of the season that included a ticket to the Pride Game and a Mystics Pride-themed fan jersey. During the game, the Mystics and MSE Foundation will present a $10,000 donation to a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit.
“We are excited to team up again with Monumental Sports to celebrate Pride Night at the Washington Mystics game during Pride Month,” said Diane Hicks, Senior Vice President of Operations at Giant Food and Executive Sponsor of Giant’s Pride Business Resource Group. “Giant Food is committed to diversity and inclusion within our business, and across each of the communities that we are privileged to serve, and we are thrilled to support the diverse voices that make our communities so special.”
Washington Wizards
While in season, the Wizards hosted the team’s annual Pride Night presented by Giant on March 29. Before the game, fans were invited to a pregame block party at District E powered by Ticketmaster and a special Giant happy hour with Pride koozies and Pride souvenir cups given out to the first 100 fans. Wizards Pride Night also featured Cherry Blossom-themed food and drink specials. The Wizards raised over $10,000 for SMYAL through their Pride Night. MSEF also made a $10,000 donation and the 50/50 Raffle that night benefited SMYAL. In addition, Giant donated $5,000 to SMYAL.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals marked the team’s eighth consecutive Pride Night presented by Giant in March. In-game content spotlighted LGBTQ+ community members, messages, and themes. The Capitals social accounts featured rainbow avatars and fans were encouraged to post on social media with the #CapsPride hashtag. Fans were invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E. The band Steal the Sky performed, and there was a presence by local LGBTQ+ community organizations. In addition, the Capitals shared video content in-game and on social media featuring Capitals players and front office personnel on the importance of equality and inclusion.
A Capitals and MSE Foundation Pride auction featuring autographed player-used sticks wrapped in rainbow-color ‘Pride Tape’ raised $27,375 for SMYAL, with a portion of funds allocated for Team DC, as well as MSE Foundation. In addition, Giant presented a $5,000 check to SMYAL to officially launch the fundraising efforts. Proceeds from the Capitals 50/50 Raffle on March 20 also benefitted SMYAL.
Unity-Employee Resource Group
Under MSE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic focus, 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 optimizing their diversity and individuality. Some of this year’s impactful initiatives include the rollout of an MSE pronouns guide for employees, the creation of an LGBTQ+ toolkit, mandatory LGBTQ+ inclusion training for all staff, and a clothing drive for National Coming Out Day benefitting The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community. Through MSE’s ERG grant program, the organization hand selected 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 invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit https://monumentalsports.com/.
