Coyotes Take Pride in LGBTQ+ Empowerment

The Coyotes joined the rest of the world in celebrating Pride Month in June, though the organization got a head start when it held its inaugural Pride Night in April.
Lyndsey Fry said the night in April was "huge, for us to take that public stance."
Fry, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, is a Coyotes executive, broadcaster and chair of the organization's diversity and inclusion committee.
The Coyotes held their celebration April 21 at Gila River Arena, showcasing six prominent LGBTQ+-serving organizations in the Greater Valley: Equality Arizona, ONE Community, Phoenix Pride, Southwest HIV, Aunt Rita's Foundation and one\n\ten.

"I loved that we were able to include a lot of the different players who are making change in the Arizona LBGTQ+ space," Fry said. "We had ONE Community, we had Phoenix Pride, and so many other organizations who are doing a lot of the real leg work. There are a lot of amazing groups doing that type of work in Arizona and I think that's super important. So, to be able to include them and treat them at the game, get them up on the Jumbotron to showcase and highlight everything they're doing."
Last September, the Coyotes
signed onto ONE Community's UNITY Pledge
, an oath committing to equality in employment, housing, and public accommodations for all Arizonans, specifically the gay and transgender.
It's the largest equality pledge in the nation, according to ONE Community President Angela Hughey. More than 20,000 people and 3,300 businesses have signed the pledge.
"It is so important to have professional sports teams take the Unity Pledge," Hughey said. "Professional sports teams are coming out and saying, 'We value everyone, we are actionable when it comes to including everyone and we are inclusive of our LGBTQ community.' So, having Xavier (Gutierrez, Coyotes President and CEO), Lyndsey (Fry) and so many talented folks with the Coyotes really stand beside us and work with us is so important."
Hughey noted the Coyotes also signed an open letter supporting LGBTQ+-inclusive policies.
The City of Glendale, home to Gila River Arena, enacted in May a non-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ individuals and families. The city of Mesa enacted a similar ordinance March 1, which goes into effect June 29th. The city of Scottsdale also enacted a like ordinance in April.
According to Hughey, discrimination against LGBTQ+ Arizonans is not unlawful in "half of our state. So, the Coyotes being supportive of this, of the move forward in the city of Glendale's LGBTQ-inclusive ordinance, is so important."
Fry believes the Coyotes players and alumni made an impact with their outspoken support of the LGBTQ+ community before, during and after Pride Night.
"Having the players and the alumni speaking on it, to me, that's just a whole new level," Fry said. "Our fans love those guys, they look up to those guys, and when they hear it from them, it just means that much more."

The Coyotes hope to model their support during this year's Phoenix Pride Parade, November 6.
Executive Director of Phoenix Pride, Mike Fornelli, who attended the Coyotes Pride Night game in April, said he expects roughly 60,000 people to participate in the parade, which will proceed from the intersection of Third Street and Thomas Street to Indian Steele Park, the hub for the Phoenix Pride Festival, which runs November 6-7.
Phoenix Pride, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is a non-profit organization dedicated to unite, educate and engage people in support of the LGBTQ community and its allies.
"A major league sports team having a contingency and showing their support in the parade and hopefully being a part of the festival is going to be impactful," Fornelli said. "I'm really happy to see it. These athletes are role models in our community. I think it's a huge deal if the Coyotes participate in our parade this year."
Fry smiled when addressing the team's potential involvement in the parade.
"That's where the local LGBTQ+ community comes together, congregates and celebrates annually," she noted. "So, when you've got such a focused opportunity to be in front of that audience and actively participate -- not just throw your branding on some signs, but actively participate -- get Howler out there in a Pride jersey, get some players or alumni, whoever it is, I think that would be incredible. It would just show that community, 'Oh, okay, the Coyotes are down, that's awesome.'"

Any change is welcome, Fry said, but it has been rather gradual. She believes younger generations are leading the way.
"There are a lot of people at the NHL level and all levels of men's hockey that are trying to make a difference," Fry said. "Unfortunately, we are a sport that likes traditionalism. We don't like to shift away from that all the time. So, I think this (issue) sometimes falls under that bucket. But I'm confident we'll get there. To me, it comes from the players and it comes from the fans, and I think as we talk about society and generational change, those younger generations -- this is a non-issue to most of the younger people. As they start becoming the players and the fans of the game, I think we're going to see it just naturally kind of shift."
Fry said the progress comes with a price. She has seen negative comments on social media.
"People said nasty things on Twitter and Instagram (during Pride Night)," Fry said. "My wife was a little disturbed after reading some of the stuff online. I look at the negativity, and I say, 'This shows why it's important.' It makes me even more proud of our organization for taking that stance to start trying to change that culture."
She added: "The biggest thing I tell people who have a problem with LGBTQ people, or see it as an issue is this: 'There's nothing better than seeing someone you love and care about being their authentic self.' And once you see that shift, you see them. If they are gay, if they are bi, if they are trans, and you see that light in their eyes come alive when they are their true selves, you'll forget why it was even an issue in the first place."

All Photos Credit: Kelsey Grant - Arizona Coyotes