The Los Angeles Lakers will honor Jason Collins at their first-ever Pride Night, and former NBA referee Violet Palmer will serve as the Lakers honorary team captain for the evening. Photo: Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers will honor Jason Collins at their first-ever Pride Night, and former NBA referee Violet Palmer will serve as the Lakers honorary team captain for the evening.
The event will take place October 4 when the team plays the Sacramento Kings at the Staples Center.
The Lakers are not the first, second, third, or even fourth team in NBA to host an LGBTQ pride. They are really late on the ball with this one. Several other teams have hosted pride nights, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and the Phoenix Suns.
Even though they are different leagues, it’s worth noting that the Los Angeles Dodgers have hosted six LGBT Pride Nights. The latest one was in June, and the Dodgers hosted it with LA Pride.
JASON COLLINS
During their game, the Lakers will present the Laces of Unity Award to Collins, who became the NBA’s first openly gay active player in 2013 and has continued to work with the league as an NBA Cares Ambassador to promote acceptance and inclusion.
The Laces of Unity Award recognizes individuals in the sports community who have significantly contributed to the LGBTQ community.
VIOLET PALMER
Palmer was not only the first female referee in NBA history, but also the first referee to openly identify as gay or lesbian.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will perform the National Anthem, and the Los Angeles Gay Basketball League will participate in a pregame basketball contest.
All fans who attend the game will receive a free Pride Night shirt.
Game tickets can be purchased at www.lakers.com/tickets.
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