AEG Pledges Support for Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative’s (SIGBI) Creation of LGBTQ+ Anti-Bias Training Standard
LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AEG, the world’s leading sports and live music company, announced today that it has pledged its support to Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative’s (SIGBI) development of an LGBTQ+ anti-bias training standard in conjunction with anti-bias training experts.
The standard is designed to ensure that all people are treated equally in public spaces regardless of gender, gender expression or gender identity. This multi-phase initiative will further SIGBI’s aim to make sure that the LGBTQ+ community is welcomed everywhere. Once the standard has been developed, SIGBI’s goal is to have the training standard adopted on a local and national basis.
On June 14, AEG and SIGBI are partnering with Hawkins Mikita, Spring Place and Tie The Knot to host the first annual SIGBI Summit luncheon at Spring Place in the Soho district of New York City, which will convene prominent New York-based LGBTQ+ organizations. A panel session will include Adam Eli, co-founder of Voices4; Stacy Lentz, president and CEO of SIGBI; Gregory Lewis, Executive Director and CEO, True Colors United; Devin Norelle, a transgender advocate and Assistant Editor at Out magazine; Angelica Torres, a NY-based activist; and Emanuel Xavier, poet and Gay City News Impact Award recipient.
The purpose of the SIGBI Summit is to ensure that AEG and SIGBI have a broad understanding of the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and to engage a wide number of LGBTQ+ organizations in a deep dialogue around the issues. Additionally, AEG, Hawkins Mikita, Spring Place and Tie The Knot will provide advice and feedback to SIGBI and the anti-bias training experts, as they develop the new training standard.
“As an owner and operator of venues, festivals, clubs and theaters around the world, AEG is committed to providing welcoming and safe spaces for all of our fans,” said Dan Beckerman, President and CEO of AEG. “As a leader in sports and live entertainment, we recognize that we have a key role to play in promoting diversity and inclusion for everyone, and we intend to continue using our voice and resources to support equity for all.”
Stacy Lentz, Co-owner of the Stonewall Inn and CEO of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, added, “The Stonewall Inn represents the very essence of a Safe Place for the LGBTQ community. Our movement was born out of a desire to be able to congregate in a place where we could truly be free to be ourselves. We are excited to work with other organizations and community leaders to raise the bar and to set a standard of exactly what that means to our LGBTQ family across the globe. We are thrilled to host the SIGBI Summit to begin the conversation to make this happen.”
Additionally, AEG and the Stonewall Inn will jointly commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising on June 14, by hosting an invitation-only special event at the Stonewall Inn beginning at 6:30 pm. Jesse Tyler Ferguson will headline the celebration, which will be co-hosted by Diva Jackie Dupree and include performances by singer, songwriter and actress Sara Bareilles; actor and singer Gavin Creel; actress and singer Lea DeLaria; singer/songwriter VINCINT; and other special surprise performances to be added.
Kevin McDowell, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, AEG, added, “New York City will be as vibrant as ever, with Pride festivities occurring throughout the city in the month of June. We proudly support and celebrate #Stonewall50 together with the Stonewall Inn and are using this event to focus attention on the need for equity and inclusion while underscoring our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.”
ABOUT STONEWALL INN GIVES BACK INITIATIVE (@StonewallGives)
The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI) is a non-profit charitable organization inspired by the struggles and ideals of the LGBTQ rights movement born from the Stonewall Inn Uprising of 1969. SIGBI is committed to eliminating the social intolerance that is profoundly impacting the lives of LGBTQ citizens throughout America and abroad. Through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising and candid public dialogue, SIGBI supports grassroots organizations scattered across the country and especially those in communities where progress toward equality has been slow and the negative impact of ongoing acts of discrimination and harassment can no longer be tolerated. For more information on The Stonewall Inn and SIGBI, visit TheStonewallInnNYC.com and StonewallInitiative.org.
ABOUT AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, the company operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 150 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including STAPLES Center, The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world’s largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands, AXS.com ticketing platform, AXS cable television channel and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.