L.A. Football Teams Sponsor Venice LGBTQ Pride

Some upbeat news to end your week from the Golden State.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

The Rams and Chargers are in a so-called “Fight for L.A.,” a competition that includes wooing — and accepting — new fans from all parts of Southern California’s diverse population.  

Both franchises have reached out to the LGBTQ community to help sponsor this weekend’s second annual Venice Pride celebration of diversity.  

Each sponsored a letter in the VENICE sign that will be illuminated Friday at 9 p.m. as part of a sign lighting and block party in Venice.  

The Rams committed to sponsor the letter C in early May, becoming the first NFL team to officially sponsor a Pride event, said Grant Turck, executive director of Venice Pride. The Chargers signed on later in the month to sponsor the letter N.  

“It opens a place for our community within the NFL,” Turck said. “The ultimate message is: inclusion wins. “If you choose to be inclusive, that’s the more prosperous approach, not just for the LGBTQ community but for everybody.”

Hear! Hear! And for the record, I have been a fan of L.A. football since Howie Long sported a sexy 'stache while playing for the Raiders when they were based there.