CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy will hold their third annual Pride Night on Wednesday during the team’s match against the Colorado Rapids, and while the club’s Pride festivities are still in their infancy, they’ve already had a profound effect on a pair of Galaxy fans.
Dustin Berberabe and Brandon Buzzard were always fans of the beautiful game, but it wasn’t until they learned of Galaxy Pride Night that their love of the five-time MLS Cup champions was born. Inspired by the Galaxy’s strength in holding a Pride Night event, both men immediately signed up to become LA Galaxy season ticket holders.
“I've always been a fan of soccer. Last year I attended Pride Night, which was my first MLS game. And after reading Robbie Rogers' book about coming out and still aspiring to play the sport he loved inspired me to check out this event,” Berberabe, a San Diego resident who turns 27 on Thursday said. “To have a national professional sport dedicate a night to the LGBT+ community is a great opportunity, so I had to come and support. After experiencing the amazing environment sparked my interest to attend more games which led to becoming a season ticket holder. Pride Night also falls around the date of my birthday which is also a great way to celebrate. Pride Night is about visibility, and I'm grateful to the LA Galaxy for hosting this event.
For Buzzard, also 26 and of San Diego, the story is the same, albeit a year earlier on the club’s first-ever Pride Night event.
“As a member of the LGBTQ community, I was excited, albeit a bit surprised, that the LA Galaxy were hosting a Pride Night in 2014 (not just a make-shift event, but a full-on celebration with scarves, etc.). It was the very first Galaxy game I had ever been to, and I didn't know what to expect,” Buzzard told LAGalaxy.com. “As soon as the game began, I was captivated by the fast pace of the sport and intensity of play.
“To feel so welcome and invited to such an event was almost euphoric, and I have been loving every Galaxy game since. I am so very proud to be a Galaxy season ticket member, not only because of how amazing our team is on the field but also because of what they stand for off the field.”
