2023 marks the seventh year that the NBA has participated in the New York City Pride March.
“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” Jason Collins, 2013
A week after a gunman opened fire at Pulse Nightclub – a gay bar in Orlando, Florida – the NBA planned to attend its very first Pride March 1,000 miles north in New York City.
Bonnie Thurston of WNBA Player Programs remembers the day vividly. “I remember when I saw the float for the first time, and my eyes filled with tears,” she said. “It felt really incredible and important to be there. And I knew that we were making a difference.”
The New York City Pride March commemorates the first gay rights march held in the city on June 28, 1970, on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. It is the largest pride parade in North America and among the largest LGBTQ+ pride events worldwide.
Seven years later, the league has not missed a physical New York City Pride March.
Former WNBA player Taj McWilliams-Franklin and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum smile during Sunday’s march.
“When LGBTQ+ individuals see themselves represented in the sports world, it can significantly impact their sense of belonging and self-acceptance,” said Roman King, Creative Director at the WNBA.
“As a queer Black man, I didn’t think I belonged in sports before joining the WNBA due to the lack of LGBTQ+ figures in the industry growing up,” King said. “I want others to feel the same sense of allyship, acceptance, community, and support that I am thankful to have experienced.”
Thurston concurred — the act of being present, of stepping forward to be counted, can change the world. “[Showing up] is a beautiful thing and it should give everyone that works here a tremendous sense of pride – no pun intended,” she said.
Before this year’s march on June 25, familiar feelings seemed to creep into Thurston’s mind. The night before, she couldn’t sleep, saying her feelings paralleled those to the night before a big trip when you’re not exactly sure if you have everything packed.
It’s the significance of 2023’s march that left her mind racing.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, there are nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills circulating in state legislatures, potentially impacting everything from healthcare to freedom of expression to education, among others. Given this climate, Thurston believes it is more important than ever for the NBA to participate in the march.
“Then, it felt historic,” Thurston said, “[Now] we’ve seen corporations back down due to pressure around supporting the [LGBTQ+] community. For a company like ours – that lives and breathes these values of inclusion – I think it’s really important for us to be in the march this year more than ever. People are going to be looking to see who steps up, who shows up.”
From left to right: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Jason Collins, Bill Kennedy, Sue Wicks and Emeka Okafor on the NBA float during the 2023 NYC Pride March.
And they did, proudly and in force. LGBTQ+ pioneers Jason Collins, Sue Wicks and Bill Kennedy spearheaded the NBA float, marked with ‘United in Pride’ down 5th Avenue, joined by Emeka Okafor, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and over 100 league employees, friends and family. Just 72 hours after NBA Draft night, Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum made a point to be present.
With over 5000 rally towels embedded with the inclusive pride flag and etched with the NBA, WNBA, G League and 2K logos waving to the crowd like an enthusiastic fan would to distract a player shooting free throws, Thurston had her eyes peeled. Her partner shared their family’s location in the crowd with her, and Thurston readied to jump off and give them a hug.
As the day came to an end, and the streets of New York City returned to their typical traffic flow, Thurston stressed that the work is far from over. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community is not limited to the month of June; she affirmed that the NBA will continue to prioritize inclusivity year-round.
“Pride Month gives us an opportunity to highlight people that are doing the work and are part of the community in a way that passes the mic to us,” Thurston said. “But we’re part of the community every single day and the work continues.”
