JERSEY CITY, NJ (Friday, July 12, 2024) – NJ/NY Gotham FC continued its year-round commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion by supporting a series of successful activities in June, including an initiative with local youth soccer players at South Bronx United and Cloud 9’s Prideraiser for the Ali Forney Center.

As part of its June programming, Gotham FC built on an existing and thriving partnership with nonprofit youth organization South Bronx United (SBU) and the club’s supporters’ group, Cloud 9. Together, the three components of the Gotham FC ecosystem advanced their collective participation in Common Goal’s “Play Proud” LGBTQIA+ inclusion training program.

South Bronx United’s “Play Proud” Curriculum and Pride Cup
For the second year, Gotham FC, South Bronx United, and Cloud 9 teamed up to develop a Pride curriculum that was fully implemented by SBU for its youth participants. The curriculum included workshops for middle and high school-aged youth players of all genders. Gotham FC hosted SBU players at its match vs. Angel City FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, June 8, and brought many assets to the SBU Pride Cup hosted in the Bronx on Thursday, June 13.

The SBU Pride Cup featured more than 90 youth competing in a 7v7 tournament at Macombs Dam Park. For this special community event, Gotham FC provided soccer equipment for tournament play, in addition to prizes for the winning teams. Gotham FC player Abby Smith made a meaningful appearance in leading one of the girls’ teams. Finally, members of Cloud 9 served as volunteers for soccer-based activities and cheered on youth participants, bringing their banners and drums from Red Bull Arena to the Bronx.

Gotham FC posted a recap of the event on Instagram and X.

Photo Credit: Gotham FC

Cloud 9’s Prideraiser for the Ali Forney Center
In addition to collaborating on the curriculum for South Bronx United, Gotham FC’s supporters’ group Cloud 9 launched their 2024 Prideraiser campaign to raise funds for the Ali Forney Center – which protects LGBTQ+ young people from the harms of homelessness and empowers them with the tools needed to live independently. Gotham FC hosted the Ali Forney Center on Saturday, June 8 and spread visibility of the organization and Cloud 9’s Prideraiser through in-game elements during all of the team’s four home games in June.

To participate, fans pledged a specific dollar amount for every goal that Gotham FC scored in the month of June – seven goals in total. By July 1st, 102 pledges were made, $754 was pledged per goal, with a total amount of $5,275 pledged. Gotham FC is matching the total amount pledged with a $5,275 contribution to the Ali Forney Center to celebrate this achievement.

While the Prideraiser campaign has ended, fans can still donate to the Ali Forney Center.

Gotham FC is a proud champion of the LGBTQIA+ community, both in the month of June and year-round. In addition to celebration, the club remains committed to partnering with its fanbase and local community by increasing the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community and elevating educational programs that drive acceptance. 

Pride month programming in June is just one of three key touchpoints of Gotham FC LGBTQIA+ activations which also included April 28th LGBTQIA+ Kickabout in celebration of Lesbian Visibility Week and more to be announced for LGBT History Month in October.

The ongoing Gotham FC, South Bronx United, and Cloud 9 partnership utilizes an ecosystem-wide approach to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, bringing together the professional club with a local grassroots organization and its supporters to further its social impact pillars. 

For more information and continued programs and activations, visit GothamFC.com.

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