New York Liberty fans were in for a special treat last Friday, as GLAAD took center court with the 2024 WNBA Champions ahead of their annual Pride Night.
In addition to their historic season last year, the New York Liberty were also recognized for their commitment to LGBTQ inclusion in sports, which is why GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis and GLAAD Director of Communications and Advocacy Shane Diamond joined the team’s president Keia Clarke to present them with their well-earned Special Recognition Trophy, awarded to the team earlier this year at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“As a life-long New York Liberty fan, I’m thrilled to present this historic team with a Special Recognition GLAAD Media Award for their continued work – on and off the court – to make women’s basketball a place where LGBTQ fans and our families are seen and supported,” said Ellis on the recognition. “From the court to orange carpets, these players and this organization are reminding the world that LGBTQ people belong in sports. To quote soccer legend Megan Rapinoe, ‘you can’t win a championship without gays on your team.’ Congratulations, and here’s cheering for another championship season.”
Of the league’s 156 players, over 28% publicly identify as LGBTQ; notably, New York Liberty Ring of Honor member and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Sue Wicks was the first player in the WNBA to publicly come out during the 2002 season. This year’s Pride game featured 12 out players on both teams (Breanna Stewart, Isabelle Harrison, Jaylyn Sherrod, Jonquel Jones, Marine Johannes, Leonie Feibich, and Natasha Cloud for the Liberty and DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Natasha Mack, and Sami Whitcomb for the visiting Phoenix Mercury). Friday’s game was played in front of a near sell-out crowd of 17,515 fans at the Barclays Center.
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“Pride games are not only an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ players, but to show LGBTQ fans and our families that there’s also space for us in professional sports,” says Diamond. “
“By hosting thoughtful, exciting and celebratory Pride nights – ones that go beyond simply selling rainbow merch – teams and organizations can invite and build upon an already-accepting and diverse fanbase, cementing queer people as part of the game. Women’s sports have had a dedicated following for decades, and it’s great to see everyone else finally tuning in.” For his part in the trophy presentation, Diamond wore Layshia Clarendon’s New York Liberty jersey in homage to the WNBA’s first openly transgender and nonbinary player.
Not only is the LGBTQ community celebrated by the New York Liberty, but 2025 WNBA Kia Skills Challenge winner Natasha Cloud highlights the importance of allyship from her teammates:
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In addition to the presentation from GLAAD, beloved New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant also performed an iconic Lady Gaga tribute for the halftime show. Introduced by legendary choreographer Arturo Lyons– who also put the entire number together for the pachyderm, including the steps and megamix track – Ellie strutted on with the Liberty’s Torch Patrol dancers in Gagachella inspired fits, provoking the crowd with an opening message from Gaga herself: “The category is dance…or die!”
@billboard New York Liberty’s Ellie the Elephant gave a halftime performance to remember — channeling Lady Gaga with a dramatic entrance and even bigger energy. Born this way… to entertain! 💅🔥 @Ellie the Elephant @nyliberty #ladygaga #ladygagavideos #gaga #gagatok #wnba #nyliberty #newyorkliberty #ellietheelephant ♬ original sound – billboard
The Liberty recorded a win against the Phoenix Mercury, 89 – 76, to keep their first-place standing atop the Eastern Conference.
