The National Football League is showing up and showing out for people in the LGBTQ community by stating loud and proud that football is queer, gay, and lesbian.
A 30-second video clip posted to the league’s official Twitter account Monday begins with the words “FOOTBALL IS GAY” before cycling through a series of descriptions of what football “is,” including the words queer, strong, bisexual and accepting.
“LGBTQ+ youth with at least one accepting adult have 40% lower risk of attempting suicide,” the video said.
“Football is lesbian. Football is beautiful. Football is queer. Football is life. Football is exciting. Football is culture. Football is transgender. Football is queer. Football is heart. Football is power. Football is tough. Football is bisexual. Football is strong. Football is freedom. Football is American. Football is accepting. Football is everything. Football is for everyone.”
The message was prompted by the Las Vegas Raiders’ Carl Nassib, who just came out as gay last week.
“I just think that representation and visibility are so important,” Nassib said in his coming out video.
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“I am proud of the clear message this spot sends to the NFL’s LGBTQ+ fans: This game is unquestionably for you,” NFL senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Sam Rapoport, told Outsports. “I will be playing its first line over and over in my head all season.”
Along with his announcement last week, Nassib donated $100,000 to the Trevor Project, a leading national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention help for LGBTQ+ youth.
