Rapper Macklemore has become the first non-athlete to participate in the You Can Play project to promote LGBT inclusion in sports, releasing this video today.
Macklemore and his producer Ryan Lewis are well-known for their support of the LGBT communtiy, having supported marriage equality (and specifically, the Referendum 74 campaign to make it law in their home state of Washington) with their song "Same Love" last year.
“Guys like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have a platform and presence that can change attitudes,” said You Can Play president Patrick Burke. “They reach a massive worldwide audience and we’re proud that they’re working with You Can Play to voice equality LGBT athletes and fans in both sports and music.”
Despite not being pro athletes themelves, Macklemore and Lewis are a big part of Seattle's sports community. They performed at Safeco Field (home of the Mariners) on Opening Day in 2011, their song "Can't Hold Us" is played after Seahawks touchdowns, and their song, “Wing$” was the theme song for this year’s NBA All-Star Game.
Seattle's sports community is also well known for its support of LGBT fans, and is still the only city to have made an It Gets Better video with representatives from all of its pro teams.