MLS, players announce donations to Athlete Ally during Pride month

In celebration of Pride Month, Major League Soccer and its players have announced donations to Athlete Ally, a nonprofit LGBTQ athletic advocacy group.

“As part of Major League Soccer’s long-standing support of the LGBTQ+ community, and in celebration of Pride month in June, the league will make a contribution to Athlete Ally, an organization supporting equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression,” Major League Soccer said in a statement.

A number of players are also offering their support via Playing for Pride, a movement started by former MLS player Austin da Luz.

Thank you #AustinFC fans, yall are incredible.

Final tally for @playingforpride is $221. Keep sending me your receipts and if you donated through @LosVerdesATX I will get the info from there. I will be doing the raffle Saturday July 3 pic.twitter.com/PXx7Cxf9zJ
— Brad Stuver (@brad_stuver) June 28, 2021

I’m @playingforpride this month, join me https://t.co/czXtBX8p7z
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) June 2, 2021

I’ve been doing @playingforpride the last few years and it’s really important to me. The sporting community needs to do a better job of being a more inclusive place for LGBTQI+ people. pic.twitter.com/gbbnREGl7s
— Eric Miller (@emillller) June 26, 2021

As I've done the past few years, I'll be @playingforpride in June. Being an @AthleteAlly ambassador, it's important to bring awareness & support to the LGBTQIA+ community.

I'll be donating 20$ per Start/Win/Shutout/Assist/Goal

After the win on Wed, I'm at $60 for the month 🙌
— Zarek Valentin (@ZarekValentin) June 4, 2021

In addition to amplifying the campaign, I’ll be making a donation on the following basis:

$25 per appearance
$25 per goal/assist
$25 per win
$25 per clean sheet

Anyone matching my (or any other participant’s) donation, will be entered in a signed jersey giveaway!
— Jeremy Ebobisse (@kingjebo) June 2, 2021

I'm proud to be @playingforpride this #Pride in support of @AthleteAlly and @bwp_collective! As a global athletic community, we have the power to speak out for racial justice and LGBTQI+ inclusion. Join me: https://t.co/myW0achj0X
— Justen Glad (@justen_glad) June 2, 2021

Finally playing our first match in June means that @playingforpride is back! I’m proud to announce that I’ll be @playingforpride with the @SJEarthquakes in support of @AthleteAlly and @BWP_Collective! pic.twitter.com/9TgPv2VOnY
— Matt Bersano (@mbersano1) June 19, 2021

MLSsoccer staff -

@mls