Sports News | Entertainment
A rainbow lighting of the ‘ATLANTA’ letters outside the State Farm Arena shined as the Atlanta Hawks won against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, Feb. 9th during their annual Pride Night game.
Presented by the Atlanta Area BMW Centers, the evening included special in-game programming and performances that celebrated the Atlanta Hawks Pride Council, their LGBTQIA+ Pride Employee Resource Group and members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Atlanta Area BMW Centers are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Atlanta Hawks’ fifth annual Pride Night,” said Southern Region Marketing Manager for BMW of North America Curtis Snyder.
“The Atlanta Hawks are an organization that leads by example, which is why we are proud to partner and stand with them in support the country’s strongest community of LGBTQIA+ members and allies.”
The Voices of Note’s Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC), founded by Jeffrey McIntyre in 1981 and is one of the world’s longest-running gay men’s choruses, kicked off the game and sang the national anthem.
Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter and LGBTQIA+ ally Keri Hilson performed during halftime, singing her hit songs "Pretty Girl Rock" and "Knock You Down".
“Social equality is one of the most important things to me,” said Keri.
“Being able to perform on nights like this are as purposeful as they are fun! Sports and music have the ability to unite everyone across all orientations, nationalities and genders.”
Rapper Saucy Santana, who previously made an in-game performance during the 2022 Atlanta Hawks Pride Night game, made an appearance on the arena game board as he sat in the stands in support.
In celebration, Atlanta Hawks Pride Council Member and Director of Equity and Engagement for Atlanta Pride Steven Igarashi-Ball said, “Over the past year, it has been an honor and privilege to serve on the Atlanta Hawks Pride Council, giving recommendations and guidance on how the organization can take a very visible stance toward the promotion of unity, equity and visibility - all of which are at the core of the Atlanta Pride Committee’s mission."
“As a lifelong Georgia native, I take PRIDE in seeing my hometown team be leaders on the court and in our community. Like the Atlanta Hawks, I also amplify that Pride should be celebrated year-round, not just at an annual festival and parade.”