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The WNBA has decided to start a campaign that targets the LGBT community. This campaign will make the WNBA the first pro league to recruit lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fans to attend games. Even though the WNBA has known that the community is the large portion that makes up their fans, they are being proactive and making the LGBT community a conscious part in their marketing plan.
“For us it’s a celebration of diversity and inclusion and recognition of an audience that has been with us very passionately,” WNBA president Laurel Richie said. “This is one of those moments in the ‘W’ where everybody comes together.”
The WNBA will be releasing a website this coming Wednesday about their efforts in reaching out to the LGBT community. Teams will take part in local pride parades and festivals, advertise in lesbian media, and will raise awareness by working with advocacy groups. On June 22 there will be a nationally televised pride game between Tulsa and Chicago.
Brittney Griner was happy the league was embracing the community. Griner was the No. 1 pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 draft and is one of the few WNBA athletes who publicly identified themselves as lesbian. Griner plans on wearing rainbow-colored shoes during the month of June in support of the LGBT campaign.
“I’m so glad that we’re finally making a push to the LGBT community, who is a strong supporter of the WNBA,” said Griner, who served as grand marshal of the Phoenix Pride parade last season. “Our league being the first to make that push and bring more attention to it is great. We’ll pave the way and show it’s fine and there’s nothing wrong with it. More sports need to do it. It’s 2014; it’s about time.”
