Report: Lions to host LGBT pride night during Oct. 25 game

After hosting successful LGBT pride nights with three of the city's professional sports teams, the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Lions to host another one in the fall.

The event, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the NFL, will take place during the Lions' Oct. 25 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

"It means a lot, in particular the support and rapid response from (the organization)," James Felton Keith, CEO of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, told Birkett. "It means the world, actually.

"I think, as the Chamber of Commerce we're usually the boring LGBT group. We're the suits in the back of the room just trying to make sure that things are moving along. But these large sporting events play into our InDetroit campaign (and) our Inclusive Detroit campaign, which primarily affects the large corporations in the area. But these sports franchises are some of the largest corporations in the area and they affect the overall social sentiment."

The Lions have yet to confirm the event, but Keith said the team has provided the group with access to a block of upper-level tickets and rooftop seating, and is helping them line up sponsors for the event, and a pre-game tailgate party.

The Chamber hosted LGBT pride nights with the Tigers earlier this month, the Red Wings in April, and the Pistons in December. Tickets for their latest event will go on sale later this summer, Keith said.

"We do anticipate a good 1,400- to 1,500-member (turnout) to piggyback on the 1,400 people that we had at the Tigers pride night," Keith said. "We expect a lot of those that can't get in the stadium, that they'll at least be available for the tailgate."