If you look around at the Supporters Section at any Atlanta United match, you’ll see just about every flag under the sun. Some 17s bring national banners to honor their country. Many represent their supporter group and their club, uniting over their love for the 5-Stripes. But you don’t have to look too hard to find there are also some splashes of rainbow colors among the red, black and gold décor.
Pride flags, of all kinds, fly every Atlanta United match. They’re a physical extension of the people who wave them, LGBTQIA+ supporters and allies who embrace their identity and celebrate queer presence in the world of soccer.
Supporters groups rally around Atlanta United to cheer on the team, but the camaraderie endures even without 5-Stripes soccer on the pitch. During Pride Month, All Stripes gathered Saturday, June 28 for a celebration of their identity and the community they’ve created.
All Stripes is Atlanta United’s official LGBTQIA+ supporters group, providing a space for all to feel welcome in the world of soccer.
“Fans of all walks of life within the gay community, allies included, have a place here to be a fan of our team and the beautiful game, and we don't judge any way shape or form,” said Nick Brobeck, a board member at large with All Stripes. “Everybody is welcome here just to come party, cheer, root, wave a flag. Whatever they want to do, march with us, you name it.”
All Stripes reflects many of the characteristics of soccer that make it the world’s sport.
“There's lots of beautiful diversity within not just All Stripes, but all the support groups,” Brobeck said. “We love to showcase the bright faces and happy people in this community.”
At Pullman Yards, Atlanta United aficionados gathered under tents to seek shade from the Georgia sun and play bingo Saturday afternoon. But not just any bingo. Drag Bingo.
Hosted by drag queens, the bingo event was full of witty humor and soccer-style bingo requirements — make an S for soccer, a C for corner kick. So many people filed in that additional tables and tents were set so everyone could join in on the fun. Drinks and raffle tickets were for sale to fundraise for LGBTQIA+ causes.
As attendees packed into tables, drinks and bingo equipment in hand, conversations sprouted and continued throughout the afternoon. In the confines of the shading tent, it felt like a family gather as much as a fan event.
All Stripes was founded in 2017 by David Prophitt and Nick Jones. Sarah Koerting, who runs event planning for the supporters group, said it was out of necessity.
“Sports are typically a guy’s space,” Sarah said. “There's not a lot of room for women, there's not a lot of room for gay people, there’s not a lot of room for transgender folks. [All Stripes] is a nice place to be able to have a space where we can all gather and feel safe.”
Because the soccer space, and sports historically, has been oriented towards male fans, there was once a real barrier to entry for LGBTQIA+ people. Groups like All Stripes are tearing that barrier down — one match, one tailgate, one event at a time.
“You can be yourself, be your authentic self, and be a fan of this team and the game all at the same time,” Brobeck said.
Melanie Koerting, President of All Stripes and Sarah’s wife, leads the group’s efforts in being available as a resource for fans that may feel soccer doesn’t belong to them. Now, they have around 300 members and are still growing. They’ve set records for attendance at tailgates this season.
“Visibility brings change,” Melanie put simply.
Donning rainbow colors and All Stripes shirts, Melanie, Sarah and Nick wear inviting smiles that could encourage anyone to join in. You can learn more about All Stripes and get involved here!
“Just to be that shining light that anyone is not alone in the world, not just with the name of soccer, but the whole community in general,” Brobeck said. “See that we can be loud, proud and visible. Visibility is important, especially now.”
Fans are eager for a match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during a gap in Atlanta United home matches that lasts over a month and a half. Coming to a match week in, week out is a regular catch-up time for groups like All Stripes. Sarah remarked that everyone was just so excited to see each other again after what felt like too long.
The sun didn’t deter supporters from coming out and socializing, but as they say in Georgia, if you don’t like the weather here, wait 30 minutes. A storm rolled in and prematurely ended what was planned to be a lively DJ set.
The spirit of celebration, though, will carry on. As cities around the world celebrated with Pride festivals in the month of June, All Stripes got the party started early in Atlanta, which celebrates Pride later in October. The festival will be at Piedmont Park October 11-12, and many All Stripes members will be there Rowdy and Proud.
The Pride flags they wave are the reason that so many new fans come to Atlanta United games. They see the colors that represent their identities, and they feel welcome. That, to Sarah, makes it all worth it.
“Letting people know that we're here, we're not going anywhere,” she said. “We’re here for each other, which is really the bigger part.”
Photos by Abby Mangum
