Cleveland Guardians announce Pride Month festivities
Cleveland, OH – The Cleveland Guardians today announced Pride Month festivities that the organization will take part of to celebrate and uplift the LBGTQ+ community.
“As part of our on-going efforts to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization, we are thrilled to work in partnership with the LGBT Center, Plexus, and other community organizations to authentically celebrate Pride month,” said Cleveland Guardians Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Matt Grimes. “While we seek to uplift the voices and experience of our LGBTQ+ community 365-days a year, we know that flagship events like Pride allow us to intentionally spotlight the collective stories of hope, struggle, and opportunity that make our city and team better.”
Members of the Guardians front office will be marching in solidarity with the LGBT center and members of the community on Saturday, June 4 as part of Cleveland’s Pride Parade. Front office members will be joined by Guardians mascots during a portion of the Pride in the CLE festival on Malls B & C. For more information on how to participate on Pride in the CLE event on June 4, click here.
The Guardians will celebrate at Progressive Field on Saturday, June 25 against Boston with Pride Night at the ballpark. The evening will be an educational and inclusive experience celebrating all fans. As part of the festivities and a commitment to on-going learning and education, a member of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch. Additionally, there will be Pride-themed photo opportunities throughout the concourse, Guardians Pride items handed out to random fans, in-game content highlighting LGBTQ+ resources on the scoreboard and more.
Fans who want to guarantee a Pride-themed Guardians item can purchase a Special Ticket Package for the June 25 contest and receive a limited-edition Guardians Pride t-shirt. Shirts are available in Medium and XL, while supplies last, and a portion of the proceeds from each Special Ticket Package will benefit the Plexus Education Fund – a Northeast Ohio based non-profit that supports the LGBT business community and advances economic equity through the provision of educational programming, workshops and trainings, and Employee Resource Group development and support.
“We are proud to partner with the Cleveland Guardians and support their work to ensure baseball is a game for all,” said Plexus Executive Director Amanda Cole. “Pride nights are a simple step for our hometown teams to support the LGBT community.”
Guardians Pride t-shirts are only available to fans who purchase a Special Ticket Package at CLEGuardians.com/specials.
The Guardians Team Store at Progressive Field will be celebrating Pride Month with specific Guardians Pride merchandise. Available now, fans can pick up Diamond C Pride pins and magnets, while Guardians Pride hats will be available for purchase later this month.
Cleveland Guardians social platform, CLE Inspires, will highlight different LGBTQ+ initiatives throughout the month of June. CLE Inspires will focus on the work done by Plexus as well as the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. Additionally, CLE Inspires will share highlights from Pride in the CLE and the Cleveland Guardians Pride Night celebration.