Pride flags at DC United games

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See I have the opposite view. I think NWSL should go further and have LGBTQIA2S-only nights (to make up for the decades of discrimination we faced) or at least hand out pride flags at the gates and force people to adopt our messaging. If you refuse to drape yourself in the pride flag or wear a NWSL rainbow shirt you’re a bigot as far as I’m concerned. I don’t want to risk being around straight people that are unwilling to love me and my partner for who we are. Thank you to NWSL for going this far but it’s time to take it to the next level. I also think we should have medical testing and gender specialists at the games for people who are exploring or who need critical services.

Was this satire? If not you have problems.

Not at all. I’m sick of all the straight white people (so many men) who claim to support our community but who have never immersed themselves in it. Never tried a SS partner to see how it feels. Never actually worn the rainbow. Never explored whether they’re at home in their gender. Kudos to the Spirit for taking baby steps but it’s time to go to the next level. I want the full immersive experience, and sporting events are a great place for it. I would invite NFL/Commanders fans to consider doing the same. Only then can you really be an ally.

There is a lot of NIMBYism in DC. People who want to support your rights as long as you keep them “over there.” Spirit games often let people off the hook - “I love seeing all the pride flags at matches” but then they leave Audi Field and don’t considering trying new things. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[Anonymous]

My favorite NWSL moment was a couple years ago when the Spirit went to the finals and lost to a team with a Man named Barbra on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the NWSL, it isn't just the pride flags. All the political messaging too. Some people just want to escape politics and enjoy sports. I hate bringing my daughter to a game because of it, even though I support gay rights. Just asking for one place that isn't hyper politicized.

I know a bunch of other families feel the same way on my daughter's team. The NWSL should allow promote LGBTQ+, host Pride days etc. but it doesn't need to have it everywhere in the stadium and make that the focal point of the sport. It is a terrible decision to market and dedicate your product to a small group of consumers.

You hate going to a game because of a pride flag? This seems bizarre to me.

[Anonymous]

There's a difference between supporting rights and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, and participating in LGBTQ+ culture.

I have gay and bi and trans family members and coworkers and friends, I fully love and accept the LGBTQ+ people in my life, and I support them.

I don't participate in the culture, though. It's not my thing. I'm straight and cis. When I was younger I used to do stuff like go to pride parades or go out to gay clubs with gay friends, and then I realized, "this is dumb." I think there's a lot of pressure on young people to support LGBTQ+ people by immersing yourself in the culture, but I realized this isn't necessary and didn't feel authentic to me.

I have no issue with pride flags at sporting events unless they get in the way of my view of the field -- that's annoying no matter what is on the flag. The stuff like drag shows before the match or LGBTA+ plus nights, I'm happy for them to do but I don't participate. It's not really for me, and that's okay. I also don't stick around after Nats games for like the REO Speedwagon concert or whatever. That's also not for me. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

and now we return to our regular scheduled program of discussing Soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC has lots of gay people and lots of them like sports. Teams do pride nights and other events. Teams will market to any group with disposable income and there are a lot of rich gay people here.

Washington Spirit no longer has Pride Night or Juneteeth as of 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See I have the opposite view. I think NWSL should go further and have LGBTQIA2S-only nights (to make up for the decades of discrimination we faced) or at least hand out pride flags at the gates and force people to adopt our messaging. If you refuse to drape yourself in the pride flag or wear a NWSL rainbow shirt you’re a bigot as far as I’m concerned. I don’t want to risk being around straight people that are unwilling to love me and my partner for who we are. Thank you to NWSL for going this far but it’s time to take it to the next level. I also think we should have medical testing and gender specialists at the games for people who are exploring or who need critical services.

Was this satire? If not you have problems.

Not at all. I’m sick of all the straight white people (so many men) who claim to support our community but who have never immersed themselves in it. Never tried a SS partner to see how it feels. Never actually worn the rainbow. Never explored whether they’re at home in their gender. Kudos to the Spirit for taking baby steps but it’s time to go to the next level. I want the full immersive experience, and sporting events are a great place for it. I would invite NFL/Commanders fans to consider doing the same. Only then can you really be an ally.

Some of us don't need to "explore" to find out if we're "at home in our gender."

We also don't wear or display the rainbow in association with gay rights, as we believe in the true meaning of rainbows. The rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to humanity, not gay rights.

Oh, and I couldn't care less about being an "ally."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a better place than a stadium full of drunk and rowdy hetero cis males.

Sadly, they have arrived at Audi.

They are loud and scream at the ref.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the NWSL, it isn't just the pride flags. All the political messaging too. Some people just want to escape politics and enjoy sports. I hate bringing my daughter to a game because of it, even though I support gay rights. Just asking for one place that isn't hyper politicized.

I know a bunch of other families feel the same way on my daughter's team. The NWSL should allow promote LGBTQ+, host Pride days etc. but it doesn't need to have it everywhere in the stadium and make that the focal point of the sport. It is a terrible decision to market and dedicate your product to a small group of consumers.

Why does a pride flag signal “hyper political” to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who pay to see women’s soccer are very strange. I mean they go into dc, pay for parking, the beer is expensive, and the soccer is not that good. Then you add all the flags into the equation and just becomes a very odd event. I’m glad they are having fun but not for me.

Lol

Spirit had more attendees than United.
Team members have won Olympic gold. But I am sure you are a better player!

[Anonymous]

Supporting transgenders in girls soccer is just asking for girls soccer to be a domain for biological males. You can support women's soccer without supporting trans rights.

[Anonymous]

Pride flags are a symbol of an oppressive mindset. It says we will cancel you and hate you if you don't like us. Similar to MAGA hats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pride flags are a symbol of an oppressive mindset. It says we will cancel you and hate you if you don't like us. Similar to MAGA hats

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has lots of gay people and lots of them like sports. Teams do pride nights and other events. Teams will market to any group with disposable income and there are a lot of rich gay people here.

Washington Spirit no longer has Pride Night or Juneteeth as of 2026.

Nothing for any group should be celebrated anywhere at anytime on any day

Since nothing will make everyone happy

There are all kinds of annual celebrations and parades for groups that I'm not a part of and I haven't been affected by any in my 45+ years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pride flags are a symbol of an oppressive mindset. It says we will cancel you and hate you if you don't like us. Similar to MAGA hats

Messi soccer shirts are a symbol of an oppressive mindset. It says we will cancel you and hate you if you don't like us. Similar to Jordan 23 shirts

see how stupid that sounds 🙄