We are proud to be part of a vibrant, diverse athletic community where all people are united together for love of the game. This is only possible when we treat one another with respect and dignity. When members of our community are attacked, harassed and discriminated against simply for who they are, it is an attack on all of us and our vision of what sport can and should be.
The violent attack on December 30th at a Seattle Seahawks home game against the Arizona Cardinals, in which a man taunted, groped and assaulted a married lesbian couple, is deeply appalling. No one should feel as though they can’t safely be who they are while watching the sport they love.
This incident speaks to the dire need for the NFL Fan Code of Conduct to explicitly prohibit discriminatory behavior based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and for the online course required of ejected fans to include training on LGBTQ respect. We, the undersigned, call on the NFL to adopt these considerations.
Please join us in standing against discrimination in all of its forms, and in standing for what makes us great as a sports community: respect for each and every one of us.