Members of Utah Royals FC were spotted once again at Carnival Real -- this time to celebrate the Pride month kickoff at Rio Tinto Stadium. The crew spent the hours leading up to the Real Salt Lake game signing posters, t-shirts, and taking photos – each representing the organization’s message of equality and acceptance.
Fans also had the opportunity to make their statement as members of the RSL family, placing a painted handprint on a large canvas with the words ‘AS ONE’. The white sheet with colorful prints represents more than just a community of RSL supporters – rather, a family of people who believe that a healthy society is one that accepts everyone and celebrates diversity. “The ‘AS ONE’ poster represents everybody getting behind equality,” said URFC member Alex Arlitt. “The banner is here to show we allow others to be who they are, and come as they are.”
Adding to their year of historic firsts, the Real Salt Lake organization will go in the record book as the first professional team in Utah to hold a Pride night. “This organization represents equality; to love everyone, and allow others to be who they are, and what they are,” remarked URFC member Mandy Laddish.
Utah Royals FC also have more players than any other team in the NWSL who have pledged to “Play for Pride” -- including Katie Stengel, Becky Sauerbrunn, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Becca Moros, Diana Matheson, EJ Proctor, and Abby Smith. The roster of 19+ players from the three professional teams have pledged performance-based donations to the “Playing for Pride” movement, which includes LGBTQ non-profits such as Athlete Alley, an organization whose mission statement is to “End the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ equality.” The RSL Foundation has also generously offered to match any player contribution up to an additional $10,000.
Fans can get involved by using the promo code “PRIDE” when buying tickets, ensuring that 20% of purchase will go towards a scholarship for a University of Utah LGBTQ student. “I think it’s awesome that Utah is having a pride month,” said URFC forward, Kelley O’Hara. “It’s pretty cool to see the amount of effort they are putting into it – and to see them unite the community.”
The teams will continue to celebrate for the rest of the month of June, ending in a URFC home match against the Seattle Reign on the 27th. “Later, we will be hosting a Pride match where we will be wearing rainbow numbers,” said URFC midfielder, Katie Bowen in a message to the fans. “We would love for everyone to come out and support.”
What the fans had to say:
“You have Real Salt Lake, the Real Monarchs, and now the Royals…I put my handprint on the banner because I truly believe that they are ‘as one’.” - Justin Hughes, RSL fan
“I volunteer at the Utah Pride Center, and we honored to be invited by Real Salt Lake to come and participate in this event because we are trying to raise awareness for the critical and life-saving services that the Utah Pride Center offers – like suicide prevention, helping an aging senior community, and helping kids who are coming out and need a supportive environment. I put my hand print on the banner because this is a great way to highlight an intersection…As One represents helping more than just a small pocket of people in the community, but everyone in society.” – Jocelyn Johnson, Volunteer at the Utah Pride Center
“I believe in equality for everybody. Love is for everyone, and if we’re supposed to be as one, why would we ever exclude certain communities?” -Dominique Montoya, RSL fan
“This game is a perfect way to include members of the community that may sometimes feel left out. This is one of the ways that RSL can prove that we really are ‘as one’…This Pride game sets a precedence in Utah. I think this is something that other teams can build on and bring the community together – even more than they have before.” -Carrie Johnston, RSL fan
“Over time we have seen more and more people come out in popular culture, music, movies, and on a small-scale in professional sports…and there are a lot of young people in sports who need role-models. This pride game is so important because there are players out there who are playing for acceptance and tolerance—who are committed to promoting health in every community – who are role-models. I see a positive future where children don’t feel disenfranchised or alone.”
-Jocelyn Johnson, Volunteer at the Utah Pride Center
