With North Carolina FC locked into its NASL spring season campaign, veteran midfielder Austin da Luz is leading a campaign of his own off the pitch. Da Luz took it upon himself to use his platform as a professional athlete to promote awareness and equality for the rights of the LGBTQ community through Playing for Pride, a fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign.
Nearly four months into Playing for Pride, the movement has raised $8,732 and has grown into a platform to raise support for the LGBTQ community.
“I’m really happy with it,” said da Luz. “Obviously we’ve raised a good amount of money, which is great, but to me the most important thing and the thing I’m most excited about is the message we’ve been able to send to people and the positive message that we’ve been able to amplify from the soccer community.”
Members of NCFC and the NC Courage have shown their support for this movement from its infancy, and support has quickly spread outside of our local soccer community and made its way all around the world. Multiple players from the MLS, NASL, NWSL, USL, as well as players from various European soccer leagues have pledged their support for the movement going forward.
“I think it speaks to the nature of the community that we have in the sport,” da Luz added. "There are so many people that are for equality and against discrimination, but the key is getting them to speak up about it. You can see it snowball. Once a few people in one league did it, then some other people latched on, and then it traveled to another league. Just through word of mouth people have gotten more comfortable taking this position.”
North Carolina FC has also stepped in from a club level to support the cause by hosting of two “Pride Nights” during the June 17 and June 24 home matches for the Courage and NCFC. The club has also established an entire Pride Week that is packed with events, parties, giveaways, and player appearances. The club will also donate a portion of Pride Night ticket sales to the Human Rights Campaign.
“I think it’s incredible the way the club has taken to cause and supported it. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a club that’s doing more for pride month than we are. I know how much it means to the LGBTQ community to know that they’re welcome at our stadium. That they’re safe and free to be themselves.”
Da Luz and NCFC will be back in action this Saturday for Pride Night against the Indy Eleven at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Fans can purchase tickets for Pride Night here. Use the code: PRIDE17 to donate to the Human Rights Campaign and receive a 20% discount.
To learn more about Playing for Pride and donate to the cause, click here.
With North Carolina FC locked into its NASL spring season campaign, veteran midfielder Austin da Luz is leading a campaign of his own off the pitch. Da Luz took it upon himself to use his platform as a professional athlete to promote awareness and equality for the rights of the LGBTQ community through Playing for Pride, a fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign.
Nearly four months into Playing for Pride, the movement has raised $8,732 and has grown into a platform to raise support for the LGBTQ community.
“I’m really happy with it,” said da Luz. “Obviously we’ve raised a good amount of money, which is great, but to me the most important thing and the thing I’m most excited about is the message we’ve been able to send to people and the positive message that we’ve been able to amplify from the soccer community.”
Members of NCFC and the NC Courage have shown their support for this movement from its infancy, and support has quickly spread outside of our local soccer community and made its way all around the world. Multiple players from the MLS, NASL, NWSL, USL, as well as players from various European soccer leagues have pledged their support for the movement going forward.
“I think it speaks to the nature of the community that we have in the sport,” da Luz added. “There are so many people that are for equality and against discrimination, but the key is getting them to speak up about it. You can see it snowball. Once a few people in one league did it, then some other people latched on, and then it traveled to another league. Just through word of mouth people have gotten more comfortable taking this position.”
North Carolina FC has also stepped in from a club level to support the cause by hosting of two “Pride Nights” during the June 17 and June 24 home matches for the Courage and NCFC. The club has also established an entire Pride Week that is packed with events, parties, giveaways, and player appearances. The club will also donate a portion of Pride Night ticket sales to the Human Rights Campaign.
“I think it’s incredible the way the club has taken to cause and supported it. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a club that’s doing more for pride month than we are. I know how much it means to the LGBTQ community to know that they’re welcome at our stadium. That they’re safe and free to be themselves.”
Da Luz and NCFC will be back in action this Saturday for Pride Night against the Indy Eleven at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Fans can purchase tickets for Pride Night here. Use the code: PRIDE17 to donate to the Human Rights Campaign and receive a 20% discount.
To learn more about Playing for Pride and donate to the cause, click here.
