As a part of our commitment to Soccer for All, the Colorado Rapids are excited to elevate voices within the local LGBTQ+ community in celebration of Pride Month. Read their stories below!
Lisa Boyer, C38 Member
"There's absolutely no reason not to be flying rainbow flags all year round, there's no reason to pick and choose. Obviously this time of year is when we celebrate it, but I think it needs to happen all the time. It doesn't need to just come and go when June comes and goes. And that's for any marginalized group, not just the LGBTQ community, but we need to be openly supportive of all of our people, so they don't get forgotten about the rest of the year."
Brittany Blaze-Shearz, Local Drag Queen & Activist
"I hope that the queer community just has more representation, throughout sports and just in the media in general, and also more accurate representation for people just because I feel like a lot of the representation right now is not necessarily bashing the queer community, but it's kind of putting the queer community in a very bad light... I just hope that we continue on that road of welcoming each other and accepting each other and helping each other out when we need help."
Kurt Weaver, You Can Play Chief Operations Officer
"Probably within the next five years, I'd like to see to where we come around to acceptance and tolerance as a base model. And then we're gonna wrap up to allyship and advocacy. So I think we have our allies and advocates and we love them. But we're seeking base-level of tolerance and acceptance from what I'd say the broader community especially within sport, our work, but society now and I think that's where simply not being attacked would be nice at this point. But I think we'll take some big wins in five years."
This Pride Month we've got you covered on ways to get connected with the LGBTQ+ community in Denver! Check out a full calendar of activations below, including our Pride Night matchup with Vancouver Whitecaps FC!
June 8
Professionals Do Pride is an event open to all to encourage local professionals spanning companies/industries to come together for an evening of networking and charity. The event will be hosted at X-Bar Denver on June 8th from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. and donations collected at the event will benefit the Center on Colfax. $20 cash tickets at the door per person, 2 drink tickets and $10 donation included.
Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend! Learn more about the event and RSVP here.
June 10
Head out to Number Thirty Eight for our second official watch party of the season for the Rapids matchup with Orlando City SC!
June 20
In conjunction with the Rapids' partnership with You Can Play to increase visibility and cultivate an inclusive culture in the workplace and locker room, the Rapids' front office is bettering its knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community and also about how to also expand its efforts within the community outside of activations such as Pride Night.
June 21
It's gameday at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park and we've got your whole afternoon festivities planned: head over to Tight End from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for drink specials and giveaways at happy hour, then jump on the bus to head over to the stadium! The Rapids are taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and you won't want to miss it.
June 24
C38 is running it back with another happy hour hosted at Tight End ahead of the Rapids' contest with LA Galaxy!
June 25
Denver is celebrating Pride in a big way this year with the annual Pride Parade! Join your neighbors on the 14-block span of Colfax Avenue from Cheesman Park to Civic Center starting at 9:30 a.m. for the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade. Find out more about the event here.
Celebrate Pride Month with us!
This Pride Month we've got you covered on ways to get connected with the LGBTQ+ community in Denver. Sport your very own, limited edition 2023 Pride pre-match top while you join us for watch parties, pregames and matchups this summer!