Stand for LGBTQ+ Equality

Sounders FC is an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. We amplify the voices of partners, educate ourselves and lead from within our sport to create inclusive spaces for all. Sounders FC works to make Washington State the most inclusive place for gender diverse youth to play soccer in the United States.  We work with experts to create and share gender inclusive policies within youth sports and our workplaces.

PLAY PROUD PARTNERSHIP

In conjunction with global impact movement Common Goal, we are thrilled to host the opening training series for the **2023 Play Proud program**, a comprehensive LGBTQ+ inclusion training curriculum that offers a holistic and collective approach to creating inclusive soccer communities, with a focus on under-resourced and marginalized populations.  

The program includes 100 hours of in-person LGBTQ+ inclusion training by Play Proud and its partners, taking part over the course of two week-long workshops. The first MLS club to host a Play Proud training session, we will welcome the 2023 cohort to Seattle for the opening week of training, taking place in Seattle April 4-7. Sounders FC’s participating representatives for Play Proud include front office leadership, community representation through RAVE Foundation and a member of the Emerald City Supporters selected by ECS leadership. 

We are proud to partner with Common Goal and Play Proud, who work to fight back against discrimination and promote greater inclusion in soccer and beyond, with a commitment to implementing diversity, equity and inclusion training in key soccer markets in the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

GENDER DIVERSE YOUTH SPORTS INCLUSIVITY TOOLKIT

Sounders FC is proud to endorse the Gender Diverse Youth Sports Inclusivity Toolkit. Designed by experts at WIAA and Gender Diversity, this free, digital toolkit is available for all youth coaches, K-12 teachers and administrators and parents in Washington State.

The toolkit has been produced to address the national dialogue around gender diverse students, teaching best practices and providing resources, as continued efforts toward inclusive practices and education are vital in the creation of an equitable playing field.

Sounders FC and our fellow teams stand behind the toolkit’s purpose in promoting inclusivity and building confidence in coaches, administrators, parents and youth in having conversations regarding gender diversity.

We encourage fans to share it with youth sports teams, leagues, coaches, parents, and provide productive feedback to feedback@wiaa.com.