The 2023 US Open celebrated the LGBTQ+ community on Day 4 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with its third annual Open Pride celebration.
The tournament's annual Pride event is the evolution of “Love All: An Open Conversation," a 2019 US Open panel discussion that featured notable LGBTQ+ athletes Jason Collins, Adam Rippon and Billy Bean, among others. The inaugural Open Pride event was held in 2021, and this year, as in years past, spread a core message of inclusion, and elevated diverse LGBTQ+ voices both inside and outside of tennis.
Thursday's slate of events included an afternoon panel discussion in the Open's Overlook hopsitality area, adjacent to Court 17, entitled "Equity Talk: Standing For Family, Love and Equality."
Hosted by Rennae Stubbs and Laverne Cox, panelists Joanna Lohman, former U.S. soccer player; actor Amrit Kapai; and triathlete Chris Mosier spoke about their own identities, their journeys to self-acceptance, how they learned to live and love fully and freely, and how they are inspiring others to do the same.
Gotham Cheer, New York City's LGBTQ+ adult community cheerleading team, also made an appearance during the day.
The group previously performed in the South Plaza during US Open Fan Week as one of several diversity and inclusion initiatives by the tournament.
The US Open Ball Crew, officials and staff were provided with rainbow wristbands, and Pride merchadise was available for purchase in the US Open's on-site stores.
Other on-site acitvations included the flying of the Progress Pride flag at the entrance to the NTC's grounds, and as day turned to evening, visual representations of Pride were seen inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The exterior of the stadium was illuminated in rainbow colors; an in-stadium light show was choreographed to music in between matches; and a rainbow DJ booth was erected in the stands.
