Phoenix Mercury to celebrate 'Pride Day' on Sunday

With June being Pride Month, the Mercury are celebrating their annual "Pride Day" during Sunday's game against the Seattle Storm.

The Phoenix Mercury’s Natasha Cloud (left), Brittney Griner (right) and Kahleah Copper threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Diamondbacks’ “Pride Night” on Friday. (Phoenix Mercury photo)

The Phoenix Mercury are celebrating their annual “Pride Day” during Sunday’s game against the Seattle Storm.

While most major cities in the United States hold their Pride parades in June to commemorate Stonewall, Phoenix Pride has been held outside of the summer months for the past two decades because of the city’s extreme heat.

However, the Mercury’s “Pride Day” offers the LGBTQIA+ community the chance to celebrate Pride during June.

“It means everything,” Mercury guard Natasha Cloud told Desert Wave Media about what Pride means to her. “I feel like my life truly changed when I was just able to step into myself and be authentically me and embrace that and feel fully seen and loved and appreciated.

“So that’s something that we take very seriously here. This is a space for everyone to feel welcomed, to be theirselves, to feel protected, to love, to feel loved, seen and heard so I’m excited to have this game.”

Cloud, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Diamondbacks’ “Pride Night” on Friday.

“It’s our month,” Cloud added. “I love to celebrate. It’s gay as (expletive) and we love that.”

The first 2,500 fans on Sunday will receive a Pride crossbody bag. (Phoenix Mercury photo)

The first 2,500 fans in attendance during the Mercury’s “Pride Day” on Sunday will receive a complimentary Pride crossbody bag.

In addition, several other Pride celebrations will take place during Sunday’s game. Team-branded Pride merchandise will be available for sale and rainbow signage will be on display throughout the arena.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community will receive in-game video tributes and local LGBTQIA+ organizations will be recognized for the work they do in the community.

“I think it’s a great month to recognize the differences that people have,” Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts told Desert Wave Media. “I think the Mercury, our league, they do such a great job of people being able to be seen and feel welcomed. And so that’s what I think of Pride Month for me.”