The Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation are proud to support the LGBTQ+ community and strive to create and cultivate an inclusive environment through several community initiatives and local nonprofit partnerships. Through Pride Nights, Pride Celebrations, fundraisers that support LGTBQ+ organizations and more, the Capitals are committed to fostering a community that welcomes all.

2024-25 Pride Auction

The 2024-25 Capitals Pride Auction presented by Giant benefits SMYAL, a nonprofit organization supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, with a portion of proceeds earmarked for You Can Play and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.

The auction will close at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, December 12.

What Does Pride Mean to You?

Washington Capitals Players, coaches, and employees talk about what Pride means to them, on topics like inclusivity and cornerstones of the pride initiative like "You Can Play" and "Hockey Is for Everyone".

Pride Nights

Each season the Capitals celebrate Pride, building a community that welcomes and celebrates authenticity and the love of hockey. This year's Pride Night will take place on March 20, 2024 vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Take a look back at recent Pride Celebrations at Capital One Arena!

Pride Celebrations

In addition to in-season Pride Nights, the Capitals celebrate Pride Month annually in June. In partnership with the DC Pride Alliance, Monumental Sports & Entertainment paints the town rainbow and participates in the DC Pride Parade each summer. Check out the video spotlighting the Capitals Pride Mural in collaboration with local artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer and more.

MSE Foundation

MSE Foundation Pride

The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation raises money each season for LGBTQ+ organizations in the DMV through its annual Pride Auction. Past beneficiaries include SMYAL, an organization that empowers LGBTQ+ youth, the HRC Foundation's Youth Well Being Project to promote safety, inclusion and well-being for LGBTQ+ youth in Washington, D.C., Team DC, an organization established to educate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community on the benefits of individual and team sports participation, while also providing scholarships to LGBTQ student-athletes, and You Can Play, an organization dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for athletes, coaches and fans, without regard to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Since 2016, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation has donated over $200,000 to LGBTQ+ organizations.

Resources

Carefirst x SMYAL

Teaming Up to Support Local LGBTQ+ Youth

Together with Monumental Sports and the Washington Capitals, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is committed to supporting the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL) is a local organization whose mission is to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth and provide access to crucial resources they need to succeed. They provide leadership development opportunities, after-school programs, and counseling services and provide a sense of safety and community for those who seek their support. Monumental Sports and CareFirst have teamed up this season to highlight the services SMYAL provides to local LGBTQ+ youth and spread awareness for the important work they are doing in the Washington D.C metropolitan area.

Our Pride Partners

The Washington Capitals and MSE work in partnership with the following organizations in support of Pride and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. Click to learn more about their missions, resources, and opportunities to get involved and support each.