Out at Wrigley 2013

Chicago Cubs welcome Out at Wrigley to Friendly Confines, Sat. Aug. 3

Out at Wrigley, the nation’s largest LGBT sporting event, returns to Chicago’s Wrigley Field this Sat., Aug. 3, when the Cubs are set to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers underneath the gay pride flag.

On Saturday, the Cubs are hanging two rainbow gay pride flags from the upper deck, making them the second-ever professional sports team to hang the pride flag at their game (the first being the Seattle Mariners on June 30). This is only the most recent in a long line of open support by the Cubs for the LGBT community, which started with the first Out at Wrigley over a decade ago. This history has earned them a place in the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, which inducts its inaugural class of 26 this Fri., Aug. 2.

“The Chicago Cubs are without a doubt the most LGBT friendly sports organization,” said Bill Gubrud, event organizer.

Cubs owners Tom Ricketts and sister Laura Ricketts, who became the first openly LGBT MLB owner when the Ricketts family took over ownership of the Cubs from the Tribune Company in 2009, will also attend Saturday’s event.

Out-singer Adam LeBlanc, lead of local band 16 Candles, will perform the National Anthem. Brandon Benefield will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Both LeBlanc and Benefield were selected during contests at gay bars across the city over the last three months. Limited tickets are still available at www.OutatWrigley.com.

What: Out at Wrigley, gay day at Wrigley Field

When: Saturday, August 3rd, 3 p.m.

Where: Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison

Attending: Chicago Cubs owners

Tickets: $54/$130 VIP – available online www.OutatWrigley.com

Out at Wrigley 2013 is sponsored by: Anheuser Busch, ChicagoPride.com, Gay Chicago TV, Grab Magazine, Windy City Media Group, The L Stop, Crew, DS Tequila, Music Plant Group and Best Gay Chicago, with the Center on Halsted and the newly-formed National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame being named as the beneficiaries of Out at Wrigley 2013.

National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame honors inductees, Fri., Aug. 2

The National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, the first of its kind in the U.S., will recognize 26 individuals, who have stood up to stereotypes and worked to break down the walls of differences to bring people together for the good of the games, during its inaugural induction ceremony this Fri., Aug. 2 at Center on Halsted in Chicago.

“The National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame’s mission is to recognize both individuals and organizations whose achievements and efforts have enhanced sports and athletics for the LGBT community,” said Bill Gubrud, executive director and board chair of the Chicago-based organization. “In addition, the Hall of Fame will preserve the history of LGBT individuals who have impacted professional and amateur sports and provide outreach and education to the sporting world so that LGBT youth all across the nation feel welcome and safe to participate in any and all athletic-related activities.”

The 2013 inductees included: Gay Games, Outsports.com, Chicago Cubs, International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), Anheuser Busch, Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ben Cohen, Dave Pallone, Justin Fashanu, LZ Granderson, Christina Kahrl, Dr. Tom Waddell, Chuck Dima, Jerry Pritikin, Dave Kopay, Glenn Burke, Renee Richards, Billie, Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Greg Louganis, Patty Sheehan, Andrew Goldstein, Jason Collins, Orlando Cruz and Johnny Weir.TJ Chernick of Gay Chicago TV will serve as emcee for the ceremony, which begins at 7 p.m.

What: National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony

When: Friday, August 2nd, 6 p.m.

Where: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted

Attending: 10 of the 26 inductees will be on hand and available for interviews, including Chicago Cubs owners; Dave Pallone, former MLB umpire and only out gay official; Andrew Goldstein, former top-rated Lacrosse player; Christina Kahrl, first transgendered sports writer to belong to the BBWAA

Tickets: $25, available at the reception