Apart from certain religious hierarchies, professional sports remains perhaps the biggest pocket of institutional homophobia left in American society.
But that, too, might be changing.
The Chronicle reported last week that in preparation for Super Bowl 50 (which will be played in 2016 at Levi’s Stadium), the National Football League is adding LGBT-owned small businesses to its outreach efforts. Business Connect, which is intended to “increase opportunities for minority, women, disabled veteran” and LGBT-owned businesses, is a joint project between the NFL and the Bay Area’s host committee. Apart from being the right thing to do, it’s also a shrewd business move in such an LGBT-heavy region.
In a Sirius XM interview with Eddie Robinson of The Outfield, Keith Bruce, CEO of the Super Bowl Planning Committee noted that promotion and marketing, transportation, janitorial, security, hospitality, as well as food and beverage will be targeted by the industry.
