Full Breakdown
WNBA Teams Celebrate Pride Night with “Doing It for the Gays” Remarks
6/26/2026, 5:04:23 AM
Core Event: Pride Night Wins Tied to “Doing It for the Gays”
In late June 2026, the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky each tied a recent win to Pride Night. After a narrow loss to Washington, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said “should’ve done it for the gays” and later added they “got our lick back for the gays” after a subsequent Pride Night victory. Sky point guard Natasha Cloud responded, “We did it for the gays. Tell Cheryl.” Both comments were made during Pride Night.
Background & Context: Evolution of LGBTQ Inclusion in the WNBA
The WNBA launched a dedicated Pride campaign in 2014, the first major U.S. pro league to do so. Early marketing stressed a feminine image to broaden appeal, a tactic later deemed limiting for queer athletes. Over the next decade the league shifted toward open LGBTQ celebration, making Pride Night a platform for visibility and community support.
Key Figures & Groups: Coaches, Players, and Teams
Cheryl Reeve (Lynx) and Natasha Cloud (Sky) were vocal Pride Night supporters in 2026. Queer player Sydney Colson noted league representation with “We’ve got most of the league.” The Lynx, Mystics and Sky were the primary teams in the highlighted games.
Data & Statistics
- 2014: WNBA launches dedicated Pride campaign.
- 2019: All-WNBA First Team comprised of LGBTQ players—Diana Taurasi, Sheryl Swoopes, Sue Bird, Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Seimone Augustus.
- Chicago’s Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley became the league’s married teammates.
Official Statements & Responses: League and Team Perspectives
League officials call Pride Night a “safe space for everybody,” noting that sexual orientation, religion or gender identity should not affect participation. Reeve described the crowd’s energy as “amazing” and linked it to motivation. Cloud said Pride Night offers a “beautiful” chance for fans to feel safe in a society that can be “hard or violent,” highlighting its broader purpose.
Criticism & Opposition: Early Marketing Constraints
Former players criticize the league’s early marketing for urging athletes to adopt a feminine look to attract broader audiences, arguing it created tension between commercial goals and authentic queer self-expression. While current attitudes appear more inclusive, the legacy of those constraints remains a discussion point among veterans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The crowd was amazing. We should’ve done it for the gays, but we didn’t get it done. That support that we’ve gotten, obviously a special day like today being our Pride Game, we’re motivated by our crowds.” — Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx
- “We got our lick back for the gays,” — Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx
- “We did it for the gays,” — Natasha Cloud, Chicago Sky
- “We’ve got most of the league,” — Sydney Colson, WNBA veteran
What’s Next: Future Pride Initiatives
League executives plan to expand Pride Night programming for 2027, adding community outreach and broader media partnerships. Players Cloud and Reeve have signaled intent to use on-court success as a platform for LGBTQ advocacy, suggesting future games may feature similar statements linking performance to Pride.
