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Midnight Riders to Hold Pride Night to Honor LGBT Community in Soccer
Philanthropic and awareness activities before and during May 25th match
April 26, 2013 – Boston, Mass. – The Midnight Riders, an independent supporters group of the MLS franchise New England Revolution, today announced its plans for a Pride Night celebration to be held the afternoon and evening of May 25th, 2013. The celebration will be held in conjunction with the Revolution’s match against Toronto FC, and comes at the first home match after the International Day Against Homophobia (May 17th).
During the event, Midnight Riders representatives will be displaying bright and colorful shows of support for the LGBT community, both within the soccer world and outside of our particular corner of the sports universe. The displays inside the stadium will include custom-designed flags, a large banner that proclaims support for “all” fans, and rainbow-themed streamers thrown onto the playing field after goals.
Before the game itself, the Midnight Riders will sell pins featuring a Pride-related design, the proceeds from which will be donated to the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth (BAGLY), an organization that works to support young members of the LGBT community. At viewing parties of the match on May 17th, the Midnight Riders will sell pins and encourage attendance at the May 25th match. The Midnight Riders will also give away stickers featuring the same Pride-related design at both events. The organization has begun accepting donations to defray the cost of the Pride-related activities through its website, midnightriders.com.
“The Midnight Riders are proud to support the LGBT individuals within the soccer community, and we’re proud to help in the effort to rid the game of homophobia,” said Midnight Riders president Fran Harrington. “We hope that our Pride Night celebration helps call attention to the problem of homophobia in soccer, and that more and more players and fans are willing to stand up and say they support the LGBT community in soccer.”
About the Midnight Riders
The Midnight Riders are the oldest independent supporters group of the MLS franchise New England Revolution, and were founded in 1995. The organization works to represent the interest of all supporters of the Revolution and to represent the New England soccer community with dignity and class. A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Midnight Riders are not directly affiliated with the New England Revolution.
About BAGLY
BAGLY is a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating for programs, policies, and services for the LGBT youth community. BAGLY was founded in 1980, and has been working tirelessly for and with LGBT youth since before the AIDS crisis. BAGLY is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information, please visit www.bagly.org, or e-mail at info@bagly.org.
