In 2014, the Women’s National Basketball Association did something that no other professional sports league had done: It recognized Pride as an official initiative. Almost every other major sports league would soon follow the WNBA’s lead, including the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association. In recent years, several leagues have pulled back on their support — discontinuing their themed uniforms, for instance — but women’s sports teams have steadfastly maintained their advocacy.

The WNBA and its players have long been pioneers in LGBTQ+ awareness. Despite an atmosphere of homophobia in the late ’90s and early aughts, some players courageously decided to come out, including New York’s Sue Wicks in 2002 and four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes in 2005. Since then, many others have followed suit. Sue Bird, considered one of the sport’s all-time greats and the only player to have won titles in three different decades, came out in 2017 — after being discouraged from coming out when she first started playing in the league in the early 2000s. During the 2022 season, at least 20% of WNBA players were publicly out, along with at least two coaches and an owner. 

Today, the league’s 12 teams offer fervent support for the community — most visibly through their Pride nights, yearly events where rainbow jerseys are worn and LGBTQ+ players and fans are recognized. The WNBA team Phoenix Mercury’s Pride Day, scheduled for June 16, will highlight the contributions of six local LGBTQ+ organizations and feature a Pride-themed merchandise giveaway. At the June 29 Pride Game of another WNBA team, the Seattle Storm, a “Protect Trans Youth” tee will be on sale, with proceeds benefiting the Storm Foundation Force4Change — a social justice platform dedicated to effecting meaningful change in Seattle. 

“We have stood with and uplifted the queer community since our inception,” says Hanifah Bellaluz, the Seattle Storm’s senior director of Community, Social Impact, and Force4Change. “We honor this legacy by continuing to fight for every member of the LGBTQ+ community to have space to live freely, safely, and joyfully — not only in June but every day of the year.”

Other sports leagues have taken inspiration from the WNBA’s example. Throughout June, players in the National Women’s Soccer League will wear custom Pride jerseys, along with custom pre-match Pride tops, which were hand-designed by queer visual artist Sophia Yeshi. Meanwhile, the league will donate $150 for each goal and assist made this month to LGBTQ+ inclusivity organizations.   

“Celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the vibrant spirit which unites us all in our love for football ties together our love for the Bay Area and this community,” says national women’s soccer team Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart. “Being able to recognize and give back to the LGBTQIA+ community is something we are excited and honored to do.”

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