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“Always an angel, never a god…”
---- “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius
LOS ANGELES—-As the crowd at BMO Stadium settles in and the pre-game festivities rage on outside the arena, I can’t tell if I’m at a boygenius concert, a pride parade, or both.
If you were to present a venn diagram of the attendees of tonight’s match and the LGBTQ+ community—it would be a near perfect circle.
And it’s all because the Angel City Football Club prides itself (pun intended) on total and absolute inclusivity, with players like DiDi Haračić and Paige Nielsen being out and proud.
As the lyrics “breaking glass ceilings… making history” reverberate throughout the stadium, the overflow of rainbow is impossible to ignore. With co-owner Natalie Portman striving to create an organization embedded with “meaning and purpose” as well as ACFC president Julie Uhrman explaining that the club “was built on the idea where mission and capital can coexist.”
The supporters section is loud and invigorating, chanting to the beat of their own drums and waving flags and banners. Smoke bombs erupt in a prismatic fashion and fans are holding up cards to make a rainbow.
While my soccer expertise is rooted in my love for Ted Lasso and that niche side of TikTok where Taylor Swift rules Messi fan cams, I’m an undeniable academic in gay culture.
With that in mind, here are some of my favorite displays of queer joy at Pride Night:
“Let’s Go Lesbians!” - A classic callback to Billy Eichner’s iconic bit.
“Rebellion 99” - Otherwise known as the nonprofit organization supporting the ACFC and “working toward the betterment of our Los Angeles community”.
“Paige #14 is our QUERO! Queer - Hero” (with Quero in rainbow lettering, of course)
Jennifer Garner waving a pride and lesbian flag.
A flag of Pitbull that reads “Live. Laugh. Love.”
A baby wearing an “I LOVE MY MOMS” onesie.
The pride bandanas given out at the entrance. Perhaps a future collector’s item?
The rainbows adorning the otherwise obsidian-black uniforms of the ACFC.
As the Los Angeles skyline glistens in the golden sun, illuminating a momentous occasion for women and the LGBTQ+ community, the team and its crowd of roaring supporters serves as a beacon of hope for the future.
Happy Pride Month. Tonight, the Angel City Football Club are gods. A heartfelt thank you for the unadulterated recognition of the Los Angeles queer community.
Photo and Video Credits: Nicholai Roska. DJI Cam, Fujifilm XT-200, and iPhone.
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