As we celebrate Pride Month, we’re excited to announce that we're expanding our partnership with the It Gets Better Project, an organization that’s making a global impact for LGBTQIA+ youth and instilling hope through storytelling. Together, we’re creating awesome experiences for the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month and into the future.

Over the past year, our diversity & inclusion team and Rioter Identity Groups (RIGs) have been working to ensure Riot is a great place for all Rioters and that players have experiences that are inclusive, authentic, and in-line with our values. To do this we’re doubling down on our pre-existing external partnerships and expanding our net of partners to accelerate our D&I journey. That means working closely with our partners to create these experiences and bring them to a global audience.

“We’re committed to organizations that link people and culture, and IGBP is a true testament of that pillar,” says Chief Diversity Officer Angela Roseboro. “We’re excited about what this will do not only for Rioters and the LGBTQIA+ youth community but the impact that it will have on inclusion in the gaming world. We’re striving to be the industry standard in these spaces and with this expanded partnership, we’ll be able to continue to support our Rainbow Rioters ability to give back to LGBTQIA+ youth through their own experiences.”

We’ve been working with the It Gets Better Project since 2017, and by evolving our partnership we can broaden our reach worldwide.

“Pride is more than a month, it is the spirit of a community that deserves to be recognized and supported without limit,” shares Brian Wenke, Executive Director of the It Gets Better Project . “Riot Games understands that, and for the last three years has partnered with the It Gets Better Project to ensure LGBTQ+ young people feel supported throughout the entire year. We are honored to be working alongside an organization that believes in a world where all LGBTQ+ young people are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals.”

Here’s a look at what we have in store:

A Digital Pride Experience: To kick off the three-day event on Wednesday, June 24, we’ll be sponsoring a full day of activities on IGBP’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch platforms:

  • 2 pm PST - Fitness Hour
  • 3 pm PST - Discussion: Community and Self Expression through cosplay—with a DIY challenge
  • 4 pm PST - Music Hour with K/DA + True Damage in the mix!
  • 5 pm PST - Game Night hosted by Rioters on IGBP’s Twitch Channel

Additional Virtual Events: We’ll also be sponsoring two additional virtual events later this year. We’ll have more information on them as we get closer, so be sure to check back for updates.

Global Initiatives: We’re collaborating with IGBP on a series of regional, virtual summits in Latin America and Europe. They’ll feature Rioters with expertise on everything from D&I to esports.

Storytelling: Rioters from around the world will continue to share their stories and words of inspiration as part of our It Gets Better video series.

We’re so thankful for the work IGBP does to ensure LGBTQIA+ youth have a more inclusive and welcoming world. Through all of our combined efforts we’re one step closer to making our communities, gaming, and the world a better place.