Arts & Entertainment
Adidas won’t fire gay athletes thanks to contractual clause
sportswear company will protect LGBT
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Adidas has included a clause in its sponsorship contracts that says if an athlete comes out as LGBT, the contract cannot be altered or terminated.
According to BuzzFeed News,Ā Robin Stalker, the chief financial officer of Adidas, announced the news on Thursday during a British conference aimed at furthering LGBT visibility in sports.
“Adidas acknowledges and adheres to the principles of diversity, as this is a central part of the Adidas group philosophy,” the clause states.Ā āTherefore Adidas warrants that this agreement will neither be terminated nor modified in case the athlete comes out to the public as a member of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.”
The sportswear company has been supportive of LGBT athletes in the past. British Olympic diver Tom Daley came out in 2013 and was signed on as a sponsor to the brand shortly after.
LGBT athletes are concerned about publicly coming out because they could lose sponsorships, a significant source of income for major athletes. Skier Gus Kenworthy told ESPN one reason he was afraid to come out was losing sponsors.
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The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Covering Fredericksburg Pride for @WashBlade . City Council member @WillMackintosh speaking: pic.twitter.com/tDdVD2IVsM
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) June 29, 2024
Photos
PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride
Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus
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The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.
(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)
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