Last year, the Golden State Warriors (GSW) went into the history books by becoming the first defending NBA championship team to host an LGBT Pride Night. Continuing their support of our community, the team will host the Warriors LGBT Night for 2018 on Friday, November 2, when they will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The San Francisco Bay Times is proud to partner with the Warriors for this event, which we hope you can attend.
In addition to the game, which will start at 7:30 pm, this year’s Warriors LGBT Night will include the following:
“This year, we’re aiming to develop a game experience and curate content that will resonate with, excite, and celebrate the LGBTQ community that attends the game,” Warriors spokesperson Kimberly Veale told the San Francisco Bay Times.
Video Will Be Created to Commemorate the Event
She added that the Warriors this year have partnered with Bayview-Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT), a non-profit social enterprise that provides access, education and employment for low income youth, youth of color and young women. The organization educates, empowers and employs young people from historically underserved Bay Area communities in the digital media arts, including video production, music production, graphic and web design.
“BAYCAT, in partnership with the Warriors, will produce a video that highlights and celebrates the LGBTQ community and their allies, focusing on the importance, impact and values of allies,” Veale explained. “The video will identify our GSW allies and supporters, and will include tips/ways to be an ally.”
Activists and Allies
A group from the San Francisco Bay Times was present last year when our friend and supporter, longtime LGBT activist Gary Virginia, received the Community Playmaker Award presented by Warriors President and COO Rick Welts.
We also were there when Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, during a press conference ahead of the 2017 Warriors LGBTQ Pride Night, shared the following:
“I want to say that first of all that I’m proud to be part of an organization and live in a region and area that really embraces diversity. There has never been a more important time in our country to respect the person next to you regardless of race, creed, color or sexual preference and sexual identity. I’m really encouraged by my kids’ experience here in California growing up, just in terms of acceptance. It seems that the young generation is learning more and more that we are all just who we are and we are all individuals.”
He continued, “What makes our country great is our diversity. The fact that we can respect each other and work together and embrace each other. It’s an important night for us so we want to welcome everybody from the LGBTQ community. Maybe, if you are coming to the game tonight, and your child says, ‘What does that mean?’ explain it to them and explain the importance of loving the person next to you and respecting them no matter who they are and where they come from. They are human beings; we are all human beings and we are all in this together.”
On Court Experience
The Bay Times group will get to enjoy an “on court experience,” being able to watch as Warriors players conduct their pre-game warmup activities, including Steph Curry’s famous tunnel shot. We will also gather for a special photo op with an NBA Championship Trophy.
During the Warriors pre-game show, the Oracle jumbotron will come alive with a light show featuring rainbow flourishes, fireworks, music and the announcement of the team, coaches and starting five. The arena’s ribbon board will send a circular digital LGBT Night message 360 degrees around the facility’s interior. The Warriors dance troupe will appear before the National Anthem is sung. Throughout the evening, we will cheer for the Warriors, with a good chance of being featured on ESPN, which will televise the game.
To read more about the 2017 celebration:
https://www.nba.com/warriors/news-blog/lgbtq-pride-20171026
If you’ve never experienced an evening with the Warriors at Oracle, check out the videos:
To join the San Francisco Bay Times group attending the upcoming 2018 Warriors LGBT Night on November 2, send a message ( Publisher@sfbaytimes.com ) or phone 415-601-2113.
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