TORONTO FC TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL PRIDE NIGHT ON MAY 25
For the second time in club history, Toronto FC will host Pride Night on Friday, May 25, when the club faces FC Dallas at BMO Field. The night will support You Can Play, a project dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans. The night kicks off MLS WORKS’ Soccer For All Campaign which takes places in June. Soccer For All works to signify that everyone is welcome to MLS, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
“It is with great honour that Toronto FC welcomes fans to BMO Field for our second annual Pride Night,” said Bill Manning, President, Toronto FC. “Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is proud to share its values of diversity, equality and inclusion on and off the field and we look forward to celebrating Pride Night and driving positive social change with our passionate fans and the City of Toronto.”
Throughout the evening, Toronto FC and BMO Field will feature numerous elements to celebrate Pride Night including rainbow-themed ceremonial flags, corner flags, supporter flags and streamers. Members of You Can Play will attend and be involved in pre-match ceremonies including the official match ball delivery and Toronto FC’s May community MVP presentation to defender Drew Moor. During the match, a You Can Play table will be in the concourse to provide fans with more information about the cause, and a public service announcement featuring Toronto FC players and coaches will be shown in-arena and shared on Toronto FC digital and social media channels.
“You Can Play is honoured to be a part of this special Pride game,” said Ryan Pettengill, Executive Director, You Can Play. “MLS, Toronto FC, and the entire Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment family share a commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and equality in sport, and You Can Play is proud to work with them in support of these efforts.”
Toronto FC players will wear specialty #SoccerForAll walkout shirts pregame in support of MLS WORKS’ Soccer For All Campaign and Pride Night scarves during the national anthems. Fans can purchase commemorative Pride Night scarves for $20 at BMO Field’s concourse level with all proceeds towards You Can Play. In addition, $5 from every ticket purchased at http://torontofc.ca/ticketpass using the promo code ALLFORONE will be donated to You Can Play.
For more information about You Can Play, click here. Fans can learn more about MLS WORKS’ Soccer For All campaign here.
About the You Can Play Project:
You Can Play works to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans. You Can Play believes sports teams should focus on the athlete’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. More information about You Can Play can be found here.
About Soccer For All:
MLS is dedicated to supporting the communities where we live and play our games, and to providing an environment in which our staff, players, partners and fans are treated with dignity and respect. Soccer For All signifies that everyone is welcome to MLS, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
Media Contacts:
Charzie Abendanio, MLSE, Charzie.Abendanio@MLSE.com, 416-970-4613
Mike Masaro, Toronto FC, MMasaro@TorontoFC.ca, 416-815-2474
Jillian Svensson, You Can Play, Jillian@youcanplayproject.org, 416-223-0397