Rally! Season 2, Issue 15: June 2023

Welcome Cheer Miami to PCA!

On June 1, PCA welcomed ANOTHER new member team! Cheer Miami is PCA's 14th Member Team, the first team in the state of Florida, the first team in the entire Southeastern region of the US, in fact! Reviewing Cheer Miami's PCA Application and listening to their journey from initial founding days to present has already inspired the entire Delegation of PCA Member Teams to RALLY BEHIND THEM! PCA can't wait to invite Cheer Miami to local, national, and international events (see you at Gay Games Guadalajara 2023!!!). And more importantly, PCA can't wait to swarm Florida and join the fight.

As one of our PCA Member Team Delegates pointed out: "I think it's hugely important that we show support to them and the LGBTQ community in Florida in a big way. They are under attack and I fear for the safety of queer people in Florida. I don't know the right answer for how to accomplish this. It would be lovely if we could all swarm into Miami and make a joyful noise (as they say in church) in support of LGBTQ rights!"

Cheer Miami, welcome to the family!

#PCAPrideTour 2023

A joint statement signed by 60+ Pride organizers called attention to 2023’s Pride Season as the most important Pride Season in decades. In the #PrideNowMoreThanEver statement, organizers acknowledged the diverse dangers we are facing as an LGBTQ community: targeted threats and intimidation by extremist groups, anti-LGBTQ legislation, economic crisis, and the mental health impacts thereof. Despite these mounting challenges, we have our calling. We must stand in solidarity. “Now, more than ever, we must unite together in Pride.”

PCA Member Teams are on pace to perform at a combined total of 35 to 40 #PCAPrideTour events this year across the US! Our bold, attention-getting presence raises awareness and rallies for broad support. Our megaphones are loud and clear: #PrideNowMoreThanEver! PCA is keeping track of the #PCAPrideTour 2023 events on Facebook and Instagram. Search the hashtag #PCAPrideTour, and check out our PCA Pride Tour 2023 Highlights on Instagram. Follow each Member Team on social media, join in person where you can, and watch the #PCAPrideTour 2023 Seasons unfold.

P.S. Need easy access to team socials? Check out our Instagram Highlights Reel or the #PCAPrideTour on Facebook.

True Colors by Chicago Spirit Brigade

Next up in the PCA’s True Colors series are our @csbstars! Chicago Spirit Brigade is a community-based fundraising organization whose purpose is to raise money and awareness for non-profit groups that provide direct care services to individuals with life-altering challenges.

"We believe life is to be celebrated whenever possible and that everyone has a duty to support one another, and lend a helping hand to those who need it. We have chosen to take our athletic abilities and love of performing to raise funds for the direct care services of men, women and children living with life-altering challenges. It is our way of giving back to the community at large." - chicagospiritbrigade.org

Watch Chicago Spirit Brigade’s PCA’s True Colors video for a special glimpse into their history. And keep your eyes on the Chicagoland area this summer. You will find the CSB Stars supporting the community through the streets and beyond as they “Cheer, Dance, and Twirl to Spread the Cheer.”

Gay Games Guadalajara

Did you know? Cheerleading has been a part of the Gay Games since the very first Gay Games in San Francisco in 1982! As one of the four “Core Cultural Components,” cheerleading is inextricable from the Culture and Ceremonies of the Gay Games. It is now also a List A Sport, meaning that the Charitable Cheerleading competition is also a required sport. The Pride Cheerleading Association is the governing body of both `Cheerleading as Culture` and `Cheerleading as Sport` at Gay Games 11 Guadalajara 2023 (November 1-12, 2023).

Gay Games is open to all adults, anyone from anywhere in the world. Participants who register for Cheerleading enjoy a wide array of options. PCA anticipates four types of registrants, and delicately balances the values of safety and inclusion to offer fun, fair, and impactful opportunities for all four types:

• PCA Performers: People from an Official PCA Member Team who volunteer in a performing capacity (e.g., stunters, dancers, tumblers).

• PCA Non-performers: People from an Official PCA Member Team who volunteer in a non-performing capacity (e.g., Production, non-performing Board members, Team Managers)

• Non-PCA Performers: People from outside the PCA Membership who volunteer in a performing capacity (e.g., stunters, dancers, tumblers, majorettes).

• Non-PCA Non-performers: People from outside the PCA Membership who volunteer in a non-performing capacity (e.g., photographers, videographers, equipment, tech, helping hands).

Need to know more? Of course you do! We recommend you read the fine print in the registration process on gggdl2023.org as you choose “Cheerleading” and “Participant.” It explains a lot about the opportunities for people who want to participate in:

• CULTURE (“Exhibition Cheerleading,” which includes Opening Ceremonies; volunCHEERing at sports; Closing Ceremonies; and any of the non-competitive routines and appearances by groups, whole teams, or All-PCA that occur throughout the week)

• SPORT (“Group Stunt,” “Partner Stunt” and “Pom Dance” competition divisions at PCA’s Charitable Cheerleading Competition on Wednesday November 8)

• Or BOTH!

Don’t hesitate to contact events@pridecheeerleading.org for more information. We’re always down for a chat!

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