Oakland Soul SC will host its first-ever Pride Day this Sunday, June 18th at Merritt College. As part of Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul’s long-standing relationship with the LGBTQ+ soccer community in the Bay Area, the club will be hosting the San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club.
Prior to the match, Spikes board members will take part in a pre-game, community talk with Oakland Roots and Soul Chief Purpose Officer, Mike Geddes. Han Barr and Myell Mergaert will talk about the club’s mission, current programming, share their experiences and issues of LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.
“Since day one we have strived to make Oakland Roots and Soul a truly inclusive environment and to honor our responsibility to making the game of soccer a safe and welcoming place for everyone” said Oakland Soul Chief Purpose Officer Mike Geddes. “The Spikes have been an inspiration in that journey, which includes us being part of the very first Common Goal Play Proud initiative”.
Oakland Soul broadcaster and SF Spikes board member, Charles Wollin, will also recount the history of LGBTQ+ Pride, its pioneers Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera and the SF Spikes during the live stream.
The Soul Pride Day celebration on Sunday June 18th with a 2:00 PM PT kickoff at Merritt College soccer stadium includes halftime trivia with Oakland’s Jeopardy Champion Amy Scheider.
SF Spikes Board Members Han Barr, Myell Mergaert and Charles Wollin will all be available to speak with local media before or after the match on the importance of Pride and the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and soccer.
Oakland Roots SC will celebrate Pride Night on September 2nd, continuing the club’s tradition of aligning with Oakland’s annual Pride celebrations.
About the San Francisco Spikes:
The San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club provides lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer people and allies with opportunities to compete in local leagues, represent San Francisco in tournaments worldwide, and play recreational soccer. We create a healthy, affordable and supportive environment for our members to play soccer at all levels, participate in LGBTQIA+ social causes and events, build community, and have fun.