When Keivin Lewis attended Pistons Pride Night last year at Little Caesars Arena, it wasn't just the basketball that made an impression. "What stood out to me most was the strong sense of camaraderie among everyone who attended," said Lewis, policy and advocacy director for Stonewall Sports Detroit, which runs LGBTQ+ recreational sports leagues in the metro area. "It was a great opportunity for us to come together outside of our leagues or bar spaces."
That feeling — part family reunion, part block party, part electric sporting event — is exactly what the Detroit Pistons are aiming to deliver again when Pistons Pride Night returns on Thursday, March 26, as the team hosts the New Orleans Pelicans at 7 p.m.
“The Detroit Pistons are honored to celebrate and stand alongside the LGBTQ+ community through our annual Pride Night,” said Melanie Harris, Detroit Pistons president of business operations. “Our organization believes in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment, using the power of basketball to bring people together and ensure everyone feels valued for who they are.”
Now in its 12th year, the event has become one of the most anticipated nights on the calendar for Southeast Michigan's LGBTQ+ community. Organized in partnership with the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Pride Night has grown from a simple ticket offer into a full evening of celebration that extends well beyond the final buzzer.
Where community meets courtside
For Lewis, who spends his days building community through sports, the parallels between what Stonewall Sports does on a local level and what the Pistons create on Pride Night are unmistakable. "People join our leagues for many different reasons, but a common thread across many of those reasons is the desire to find community," he said. "Events like this create additional spaces and new ways for us to connect, gather and unite."
Having an organization as prominent as the Detroit Pistons involved makes a meaningful impact and sets a strong example for other organizations to follow.
Keivin Lewis, policy and advocacy director for Stonewall Sports Detroit
That sense of connection is palpable from the moment fans walk through the doors. The dedicated Pride Party seating area is back this year, giving attendees their own section where they can settle in with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and non-alcoholic beverages (with alcohol available for purchase). The Pride Night ticket package also includes a complimentary Pride giveaway, a special Pride-themed halftime performance and the chance to shoot a free throw on the Pistons court after the game.
It's a lot of fun packed into one evening — and a seriously good deal for a night of professional basketball.
In a moment when some corporate entities have quietly stepped back from LGBTQ+ initiatives, the Pistons have stayed the course. The organization's commitment to the community isn't limited to one night a year — the team has maintained a consistent, year-round relationship with local LGBTQ+ organizations, actively seeking out ways to deepen its engagement.
"This is especially important in the times we're living in now," Lewis said, "because having an organization as prominent as the Detroit Pistons involved makes a meaningful impact and sets a strong example for other organizations to follow."
Lewis said last year's Pride Night delivered something that went beyond the perks and entertainment. "For me, this event represented visibility and a genuine sense of inclusion."
Grab your crew and get in the game
Whether you're a die-hard basketball fan or someone who's never watched a game in your life, Pistons Pride Night is one of those events that's really about the people in the stands as much as the players on the court. It's a chance to cheer loud, eat well, celebrate openly and feel the energy of a community that shows up for each other — on the court and off.
Tickets for the Pride Night package are available atpistons.com/pride.
This content is made possible through our partnership with the Detroit Pistons. Follow the team and buy tickets at pistons.com/tickets.
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