SAN FRANCISCO -- On Sunday, October 11, the Academy of Art University women's soccer team returns to the Bay Area to take on Holy Names University, and while every match is important in its own right, this one will have a different feel about it.

ART U athletics is teaming up with its very own LGBT club, OutLoud!, and the SF LGBT Center to celebrate National Coming Out Day! LGBT equality has taken huge strides in the past year, and the ART U athletics department wants to celebrate and support anyone coming out as LGBTQ or an ally this day and everyday. Therefore, this Sunday's women's soccer match will be a celebration of LGBTQ equality and Coming Out.
 
The Urban Knights will take the field on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at Skyline College donning rainbow wristbands to be worn during the game. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive an Academy of Art rainbow headband. Additionally, all who attend, no matter how you identify, will have the opportunity to take the Athlete Ally pledge. Created by Hudson Taylor, a former wrestler at the University of Maryland, Athlete Ally is a non-profit organization that provides public awareness campaigns to help foster inclusion within sports at the Olympic, Professional, and Collegiate level. By taking the Athlete Ally pledge, one is taking the stand against homophobia and transphobia in sports.
 
 
Pamphlets of information about National Coming Out Day and the resources the SF LGBT Center has to offer to the LGBTQ community and allies will be available at the gate. Lastly, Chipotle, a sponsor of the ART U athletic department, is providing some of their 2015 Pride t-shirts and gift cards to giveaway at halftime of the game!
 
The Academy of Art University athletics department is extremely excited to take the Athlete Ally pledge and help foster an inclusive athletic environment across all its sports.
 
"Working at Academy of Art University for the past eight plus years, we have always strived to find ways to promote diversity and inclusion," said Director of Athletics Colin Preston. "October features many great opportunities such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, and LGBT History Month. Hosting a soccer match on October 11, which coincides with National Coming Out Day, gave us the perfect opportunity to partner with the Academy of Art University club OutLoud! and the San Francisco LGBT Center to promote both awareness and acceptance."
 
Academy of Art student can sign up for the Fan Buses online to get free transportation to the event. Fan Buses will leave 620 Sutter St at 11:00am. All fans are encouraged to wear either a specific color of the rainbow or rainbow-colored clothing!
 
Address: Skyline College Soccer/Football Field, Campus Drive, San Bruno CA 94066