In support of National Pride Month and Major League Soccer’s monthlong celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, Austin FC announced today a series of initiatives throughout June aimed at promoting inclusivity.
“From the beginning, Austin FC has focused on building a Club that is inclusive and welcoming for all," said Austin FC Vice President of Community Impact Kaitlin Mauro. “While Austin FC has committed to year-round allyship to the LGBTIQIA+ community, the month of June is an opportunity for all MLS clubs to elevate awareness and foster a more inclusive soccer culture.”
On Sunday, June 12, Austin FC will host the inaugural Y’all Means All Cup Presented By Lexus, a 7v7 round robin soccer tournament benefitting a local LGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit. The tournament will take place at The Crossover in Leander, Texas. Austin FC and Lexus will donate the proceeds from team entry fees to an Austin LGBTQIA+ nonprofit that shall be determined in collaboration with the winning team.
The Club will host its second annual Pride Night at its June 25home match against FC Dallas. The First Team will wear Pride training tops during warm-ups – to be auctioned with proceeds benefiting local LGBTQIA+ nonprofits – and jerseys with Pride numbers during the match. Members of the local LGBTQIA+ community will lead the Heart Beat of Austin chant pre-match and sing the national anthem. The Y’all Means All Cup Presented by Lexus winning team will receive tickets to the June 25 match courtesy of Lexus and will be honored at halftime.
Austin FC will facilitate training for 30 local youth soccer coaches to complete Out Youth’s “Be a Beacon” Training. Be A Beacon, a 90-minute, self-paced professional development training from Out Youth’s Texas Genders & Sexualities Alliance network, provides adults who work with schools, sports programs, and other youth-focused organizations across Texas with the knowledge and tools they need to best serve youth of all sexual orientations. Coaches from Austin FC Academy completed Be A Beacon training in December.
