Athlete Ally Partners with San Diego Padres to Highlight Allyship

Athlete Ally is partnering with the San Diego Padres this week to highlight the importance of allyship in sports.  The Padres have invited Athlete Ally’s Executive Director, Hudson Taylor, to lead their CEO, Mike Dee, and players in reciting the Athlete Ally pledge at home plate just before their day game against the Astros at PetCo Park on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

The Athlete Ally Pledge is an affirmative statement on the organization’s website through which athletes, coaches, and fans commit to welcoming all sports participants, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.  In addition, the San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Martin, whose school district represents 133,000 students, will join Hudson and Mike on the field. Martin will be accompanied by 60 student athletes from local secondary schools who will line the first and third base paths and hold signs with short telegenic messages, emphasizing the importance of “allyship” in sports.

The stadium announcer will read prepared remarks about Athlete Ally and a short video about our organization will then be played on the stadium’s Jumbo screen.