Valkyries make – Before the Valkyries faced the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center, Pride energy spilled from the plaza to the stands—drawstring giveaways for all 18,064 fans, live drag performances, and a halftime show powered by DJ LadyRyan and DJ Dyop. After the 78-75 win, Gabby
On Friday, the Pride Night mood at Chase Center started long before tipoff.
Outside the arena, performers filled the space with color and noise. Stilt walker Jodi Power performed with Sandra and Friends. Drag queens from Oaklash—Casey Pecker and Rexy—took the stage. Prince Mystique posed for a portrait and put words to the feeling in the air. saying. “I feel like tonight is about being free. being among community in a safe space … cause some people are in the closet and tonight being Pride Night. they’re able to come out and express themselves freely and authentically. ” adding. “Queer folks are beautiful.”.
Under an arch of Pride-themed balloons outside Thrive City. rainbow skirts. a glitter hair braiding station. and live performances from drag kings and drag queens set the tone. Young children lined the right side of the plaza to play Pop-A-Shot basketball. Inside. the celebration moved seamlessly—an extensive collection of Pride merchandise was curated and designed by local brands including Oaklandish and Peau de Loup. a queer-owned company that creates gender-neutral clothing items.
When the game tipped off against the Atlanta Dream, there was no sense of leaving the welcome behind. All 18,064 fans received a Pride-themed Valkyries drawstring. The stadium floor vibrated during a halftime performance by DJ LadyRyan and DJ Dyop.
The day came with a reminder of how easily Pride nights can fade into routine. Two weeks earlier at Oracle Park, it was easy to forget the Giants were even hosting a Pride game until three pitchers wrote Bible verses on their caps.
The Valkyries, hosting their second annual Pride Night, responded by making the celebration unmistakable—packed with visible joy and a message that the Bay Area belongs to everyone who walks through the doors.
Valkyries president Jess Smith said the goal was simple and direct: “We take a lot of pride in, no matter who you are and why you showed up today, that you feel like you belong here.”
Smith tied the event to a personal memory from last year. She recalled her aunt, Lisa, getting emotional at the Valkyries’ first Pride Night in 2025. Smith said Lisa had “never felt seen as a gay woman supporting teams that didn’t look like her. ” and when the Valkyries were birthed. Lisa “immediately jumped into fandom.” Smith described that as the first time Lisa felt “not only safe. but celebrated. ” and she said Pride Night was the moment where it all clicked for her.
That sense of recognition shaped how Smith planned Friday’s night. She said, “We’re always focused on creating those inclusive environments and making it celebratory and fun and joyful,” adding, “That’s been our intent from the minute that we started planning this.”
The team’s Pride Night isn’t treated as a one-day costume. Fans have returned in numbers that have become their own kind of signal: the Valkyries have 34 straight sellouts.
Andrea Fernandes, Golden State’s vice president of marketing, said what stands out most is how consistently people show up. “Every night is really like Pride Night, in my opinion,” she said. “It’s a safe, inclusive space, and people really feel comfortable to bring their true selves every single night. … I think that shows why we continue to have sellout games night after night, because people want to be there.”.
The celebration also stretches beyond Chase Center. The Valkyries are a sponsor of the 50th San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival. described as the longest-running queer film festival worldwide. The team participated in the Sacramento Pride Festival and March on June 14. They will take part in Sunday’s San Francisco Pride Parade, Oakland’s parade on Aug. 16 and the Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival on Aug. 30.
On the court, the message landed the same way it did off it: with confidence, volume, and pride.
After the Valkyries beat the Dream 78-75, Gabby Williams told fans that she couldn’t lose on Pride Night. The crowd erupted. In the postgame news conference, when asked why she said that, Williams and Kiah Stokes shouted: “We’re gays!”
Coach Natalie Nakase said what matters most is giving people the room to be themselves. “There’s something special about being able to be your true self,” Nakase said. She added that Golden State—and the Bay more broadly—aims to change hearts and minds about inclusion. “It really is a celebration in Ballhalla. ” Nakase said. “and I think for everyone who’s been here. you could feel that. and we’re proud of that.”.
Valkyries Pride Night Chase Center Atlanta Dream Gabby Williams Kiah Stokes DJ LadyRyan DJ Dyop Oaklash Peau De Loup San Francisco Pride Parade LGBTQ+ film festival