Mets to host Pride Night at Citi Field for LGBT community
David Kilmnick addresses supporters at Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth's (LGALY) 20th anniversary gala at Carlyle on The Green on May 10, 2013. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
The Mets will hold their first LGBT-themed Pride Night this season, on a date to be announced at a news conference Tuesday featuring team officials, local politicians, LGBT Network CEO David Kilmnick and Mr. and Mrs. Met.
The official announcement will take place at Queens Borough Hall.
In a news release, officials estimated that more than 5,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fans will be at Citi Field for the event.
“Bullying is still a major- league problem for LGBT youth,” Kilmnick said in the news release. “Over 82 percent report being verbally and physically harassed in the past year. It’s not only the school hallways where our young people report feeling unsafe, but also on the ballfield. We are grateful and thankful to Major League Baseball for taking the lead in professional sports, including the LGBT community in its diversity priorities and initiatives. As a lifelong Mets fan, I am proud that the New York Mets are not only the defending National League champions but the champion of the New York sports world in making sure that everyone is welcomed and celebrated at Citi Field.”
Added Mets executive vice president Lou DePaoli: “New York is the most diverse and inclusive city in the world, and the Mets welcome all fans throughout the season. We are particularly proud to welcome the LGBT community on Pride Night at Citi Field.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
