World TeamTennis and Athlete Ally announce partnership
NEW YORK (July 29) – Mylan World TeamTennis and Athlete Ally announced a formal partnership beginning with an LGBTQ Pride Night at the New York Empire on Aug. 3.
The LGBTQ Pride Night will kick off at 6:50 with the National Anthem sung by the Stonewall Chorale. In addition to watching fierce competition between the NY Empire and Springfield Lasers, some fans who arrive early will receive Athlete Ally t-shirts and wristbands.
“Mylan World TeamTennis was founded on the principles of diversity and inclusion and our partnership with Athlete Ally further solidifies that,” said World TeamTennis Commissioner Ilana Kloss. “Our players and fans come from many communities and we celebrate that. Our LGBT fans will see they are welcome as part of the WTT experience not only at the LGBT Pride Night at the NY Empire, but on any given night at every team’s matches.”
Tennis legend Billie Jean King is a major owner of Mylan World Team Tennis league and several of its players, such as James Blake, Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish, are Athlete Ally Pro Ambassadors.
“This partnership marks an important step towards making sports safe, supportive, and respectful for LGBT athletes and fans everywhere,” said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “By designing a mixed-gender sporting league, World TeamTennis is helping to knock down the concepts of masculinity and femininity which are the building blocks of homophobia, transphobia and sexism. We could not be prouder of this partnership.”
Those who wish to attend the match, can secure tickets at a specially-discounted rate with the promo code “athleteally”:
https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1162601?utm_medium=bks
Date: August 3rd
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club
Tickets: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1162601?utm_medium=bks
About Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally is a non-profit organization that educates and empowers the athletic community to take a stand against homophobia and transphobia in sports. Athlete Ally works with MLB, the NBA, WNBA, and NBPA on player development and LGBT inclusion. It also co-wrote the NCAA’s LGBT policies and resource guides and partners with over a hundred professional athletes and college campuses to promote LGBT equality and respect.
To contact Athlete Ally:
Ted Rybka
Director of Communications
Athlete Ally
ted.rybka@athleteally.org
347-705-9760
Also connect with Athlete Ally on
Twitter: www.twitter.com/athleteally,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/athleteally,
or by visiting http://www.athleteally.org