“We believe now is not the time to stay silent, nor to isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. That is why we are reaffirming our commitment to promoting esports for all, at home and abroad.”
Team Liquid has announced that its teams will wear LGBTQ+ jerseys at Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025. Here are the details.
"We will also keep working toward an esports world where LGBTQ+ people can thrive, no matter the political climate."
Team Liquid Pride jerseys at EWC 2025
On May 12, Team Liquid revealed that its players will wear Pride jerseys globally throughout June and July. This includes wearing them at the EWC 2025 event, which will take place in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's laws criminalizes same-sex relationships, with convicted LGBTQ+ individuals facing severe penalties, including imprisonment, corporal punishment, and even the death penalty.
According to Team Liquid, wearing Pride jerseys at EWC 2025 will be an opportunity to represent its values and demonstrate its commitment to inclusion on the global stage. All proceeds from this initiative will support LGBTQ+ organizations in North America, Europe, and Brazil. An additional $50,000 USD will also be donated to Rainbow Railroad, which is a charity that helps LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide escape persecution.
"We also recognize that intolerance and isolationism are on the rise around the world," the announcement stated. "We believe now is not the time to stay silent, nor to isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. That is why we are reaffirming our commitment to promoting esports for all, at home and abroad."
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Team Liquid and LGBQA+ support
An interview from 2024 with Gayming Magazine founder Robin Gray is consistent with this as well. In the interview, Team Liquid co-CEO Steve Arhancet revealed that, as a gay man, he faced tough decisions regarding the organization's participation in the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
He also weighed the personal and professional risks tied to the region's human rights issues. Ultimately, Arhancet and Team Liquid saw the value in visibility and presence.
Meanwhile, in a video posted on X, Team Liquid co-CEO Victor Goossens echoed a similar sentiment. Goossens explained that Team Liquid has a role to play "to ensure that esports is and will be for everyone, regardless of where events take place."
Therefore, Team Liquid players donned Pride jerseys at EWC 2024. Teams will also continue to do so at EWC 2025.
That's all for now. Stick around on epsorts.gg for more news and updates.
