PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 76ers are paying tribute to the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall riots on Sunday with a virtual Philly LGBTQ Pride Day.
The Sixers are going to host the event on their social media platforms — looking back at Philly's 2019 LGBTQ Pride celebrations, as well as this year's Pride Night at Wells Fargo Center on Feb. 20.
The virtual Pride Day will include an interview with former NBA player Jason Collins, the first active player to come out publicly as gay. Collins rang the Sixers' ceremonial Liberty Bell at Pride Night back in February
The day will also feature a photo series, showing members of Philadelphia' LGBTQ community, with a focus on transgender members and people of color.
The Sixers say other featured guests will include:
- Deja Lynn Alvarez, a trans woman of color who works for the Philadelphia Department of Health. Alvarez is a member of the William Way LGBTQ Community Center and was instrumental in putting together food packages for over 400 immigrant families during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Kendall Stephens, who is a Black transgender leader selected as one of Philadelphia Gay News' People of the Year. Stephens was also a student speaker at her college commencement. Stephens helps run weekly support groups, including at Morris Home.
- Will Sheridan, a musician and former Villanova basketball starter, who came out as gay in 2011. Sheridan played for the Wildcats from 2003 to 2007, including the 2005-06 squad that went to the Elite Eight.
- Natasha Cloud, a native of Broomall, Pa. Cloud plays for the WNBA's Washington Mystics and is openly bisexual. A lifelong 76ers fan, she recently announced she will not be playing in the WNBA season. The biggest reason, she said, is to allow her to fight for social reform.
