When asked if he would represent his soccer team, the Chicago Fire, at the annual Chicago Pride Parade in June, Quincy Amarikwa didn't hesitate. He said, sure, "no problem."
About six weeks after the parade through the streets of Lakeview on the city's north side, Amarikwa was still filled with fond memories of his first pride parade—and he's straight.
"It was crazy. I don't think I've seen that many people [in one area] in my life. [There were] so, so many people. It was a lot bigger than I was expecting," said Amarikwa, 26, a forward in his second season with the Fire. A California native, he has played professionally since 2009.
"It was fun; I had a good time. There were people hanging out of [apartment] windows; people were dressed up; the streets were filled. It just looked like everyone was having a good time out there."
Amarikwa admittedly has no direct ties to the LGBT community. No one in his family is openly gay; none of his close friends are out; none of his Fire teammates or coaches are out; he doesn't even know if he's ever been teammates with a closeted teammate.
Amarikwa just treats everyone fairly, evenly, equally.
"Regardless of your sexual orientation, or background, or religion, or race, I just want you to feel included [in] the soccer community, so you feel comfortable however you decide to live your life," he said.
Amarikwa is among Chicago's top forwards, and has started 17 of the 19 games he has played this season. His six goals this season is tied for the team-lead. His three assists is third-most. And he leads the team in shots (41) and shots on goal (15).
Amarikwa certainly will have LGBT fans supporting him Saturday night, Aug. 9, when the Fire hosts its third annual LGBT Pride Night as the team plays host to the New York Red Bulls. The promotion is done in conjunction with the Center on Halsted and Section 8 Chicago, and there are discounted tickets for LGBT organizations, Pride-themed elements within game presentation, and more.
"Our annual Pride Night is an opportunity to partner with great organizations like the Center on Halsted who do great work in the LGBT community," Chicago Fire COO Atul Kholsa said in a statement. "From participating in Chicago's annual Pride Parade to hosting Pride Night at Toyota Park, the club is committed to promoting inclusivity on and off the pitch."
Modesto "Tico" Valle, Center on Halsted CEO, added in a statement, "Center on Halsted is excited to partner with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club for LGBTQ Pride Night. [The] Chicago Fire has been a great supporter of the LGBT community and we are excited to join not only for this game, but also in support of our mission to secure the health and wellbeing of the LGBT people of Chicagoland."
Amarikwa said the Fire and Major League Soccer (MLS) as a whole, "is very adamant about promoting equality across the league, including the LGBT community, anti-bullying, anti-racism." He added, "We want an all-inclusive atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the experience of coming to watch a professional soccer game. Pride Night is another [chance] to further showcase a specific cause that we're in support of."
The Chicago White Sox, meanwhile, announced it would host "LGBT Pride Night: Out at the Sox," in celebration and support of the gay community on Aug. 16 when the team faces the Toronto Blue Jays—and the event has led to an online blitz from anti-gay backers.
"The whole reason to have Pride Night and similar events is to spread awareness, show support, and show that it's not right to [discriminate]," Amarikwa said. "Hopefully such events won't draw flack in the future."
Amarikwa admitted that the male locker room for high-profile team sports "used to be a macho kind of environment, very close-minded." But that's ending—thanks to out athletes such as Robbie Rogers (soccer), Jason Collins (basketball) and Michael Sam (football), among others.
"I feel they are giving inspiration to those who might be too scared to be true to themselves," Amarikwa said.
When asked what his response would be if a teammate came out to him, Amarikwa simply said, "Cool."
"I don't think [a gay teammate] is a problem, an issue," he said. "That doesn't change my opinion of someone, one way or another. I just don't think it's a big deal."
And someday, soon, sexual orientation won't be a major deal, even in sports, Amarikwa said. "I think we'll definitely get to the point where this won't even be a conversation because it will just be normal, just the way it's not front-page news when a Black player signs with a team," he said.
And, "a lot sooner than later," he said, "though I couldn't tell or predict exactly how many years."
The MLS regular-season runs through the end of October.
