PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Flyers host their annual Pride Night on Monday with a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The team says this year's celebration includes a new initiative to support and grow the LGBTQ hockey community.
"Tonight we celebrate the fact that hockey is for everyone," Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk said in a video with Flyers center Scott Laughton. Both are ambassadors for the You Can Play Project, whose mission is the inclusion and safety of LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans in all sports.
"No matter who you are or whom you love, you are welcome here at the Wells Fargo Center," van Riemsdyk said.
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In honor of Pride Night, Wells Fargo Center is decked out in the Pride flag’s iconic rainbow hues with LEDs, décor, merchandise and more. And players are warming up with sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape, which are up for auction after the game.
Flyers Charities is presenting the You Can Play Project with a check for $5,000. In partnership, the Flyers have launched an initiative that will provide four game tickets to select LGBTQ+ organizations for 12 home games through the remainder of this season. These special guests will receive signed memorabilia as well, the Flyers say.
Organizations that have received complimentary tickets to Pride Night include AIDS Fund Philly, Attic Youth Center, GALAEI, Independence Business Alliance, Mazzoni Center, Philly Black Pride, LGBTQ soccer team the Philadelphia Falcons, Philadelphia FIGHT, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, Stonewall Sports Philadelphia and William Way LGBT Community Center.
Philly Chit Chat blogger and LGBTQ community leader Hugh E. Dillon is banging the squad's "Bring The Noise" drum before the game. And to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the historic Philadelphia Gay News, founder Mark Segal is dropping the ceremonial puck.
Last season, one of the episodes of the Flyers’ "New Heights" video series, titled "Standing in Sight," featured Philadelphia's LGBTQ hockey community. The Flyers say this episode helped lead to Wells Fargo Center's new fan code of conduct.
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