For years, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Toronto have found refuge in the city’s Gay Village. Now, Canadian Premier League side York United FC is paying tribute to the neighborhood with its 2023 Pride Kit.
The Macron-manufactured kit was unveiled on Wednesday, May 31 — the eve of Pride Month — and is inspired by the “solidarity, strength and spirit” of Toronto’s Gay Village.
The front of the white jersey features a map of the area around Yonge and Wellesley Streets in downtown Toronto in rainbow colors. The sleeve cuffs and back half of the collar are blue, with rainbow stripes on top of the sleeve cuffs and in inserts on the side hems.
“You can hide behind various statements but visibility is crucial in getting a message across. This is us acknowledging that words aren’t enough when it comes to certain topics. The launch of our Pride jersey is our way of saying that we are an inclusive and tolerant organization, our stadium is a safe space for all and that we want everybody to join us and fall in love with the beautiful game that we all adore.”
— Angus McNab, president/CEO and general manager, York United
The club logo is centered on the chest, underneath a blue Macron logo. Underneath that is the logo of Somersby cider, a switch from the Carlsberg 0.0 logo on York United’s home and away kits for 2023. Both brands are owned by Danish brewing company Carlsberg Group. Part of the Somersby logo is replaced with a Pride Progress flag.
“The shirt — which has been a long-term project for The Nine Stripes — is part of a wider commitment to a core value of the organization: the fostering of a genuine, inclusive community and a safe space for everybody: all united in a passion for sport.”
— York United
Along with the kit unveiling, York United is committing to a wide range of activities supporting the local LGBTQ+ community including:
- Delving into The ArQuives, which collects and preserve materials that tell the history of the LGBTQ+ communities in Toronto and across Canada;
- Spending time with members of Downtown Soccer Toronto, the city’s official LGBTQ+ recreational soccer league;
- Taking supporters on tours of the Gay Village, with stops at Glad Day Bookstore and The 519, a building once marked for demolition that has since become a community hub where members of the LGBTQ+ community can access support, services and initiatives.
York United will wear their Pride Kits in their official Pride Game on Friday, June 9, against Atlético Ottawa at York Lions Stadium. A portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold to that match will be donated to The 519.
“In the face of hateful rhetoric against 2SLGBTQ+, particularly in sports, it is critical that our allies rise up in support of 2SLGBTQ+ people. We are also thankful for the generous donation of Volkswagen Canada and York United FC who are helping to support the year-round programs at The 519 supporting 2SLGBTQ+ futures.”
— Aniska Ali, director of philanthropy, The 519