By: Isabella Ferrou
PATERSON, N.J. — On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the New York Cosmos hosted Pride Night during a Prinx Tires USL Cup match against Hartford Athletic. While the Cosmos did not get the result they wanted, falling 4-1 to the USL Championship side, the evening was about more than the scoreline.
Prior to kickoff, the Cosmos hosted a Pride Night press conference at the museum inside Hinchliffe Stadium, bringing together local LGBTQ+ organizations and City of Paterson officials to discuss inclusion, visibility, and community.
Paterson Mayor André Sayegh opened the event by highlighting Pride Month and the importance of fostering a diverse and welcoming community.
Throughout the press conference, representatives from participating organizations shared what Pride means to them and discussed the role events like Pride Night play in creating more inclusive spaces within sports.
Daniel Hoffman, Vice President of Barnegat Pride, an LGBTQ+ advocacy and support organization based in South Jersey, said Pride means being authentic and discovering oneself a little more every day.
Hoffman also spoke about the importance of feeling comfortable in one’s own skin and highlighted the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the community.
“Our tagline is unity in our community, so we want to bring together a coalition of people who truly care about our most vulnerable communities and those who need help the most,” Hoffman said.
Jayden Jackson of the Hyacinth Foundation said Pride Month is not only a time for LGBTQ+ individuals to be seen, but also an opportunity to support one another.
Jackson explained that while Pride Month places many members of the LGBTQ+ community in the spotlight, there are still many who feel they must hide who they are or remain silent about their struggles. For that reason, Jackson emphasized the importance of standing together as a community.
“This is a time where we are able to encourage one another and make sure that we are able to advocate, be present, and be a voice for those who feel as though they have been unheard for so long,” Jackson said.
Jorge Cruz, Executive Director of LISC New Jersey, also spoke about Pride as an opportunity to uplift communities that have historically been marginalized.
Cruz explained that his organization focuses on creating social impact by investing resources into communities that have often been excluded from opportunities and support. While Pride Month is recognized annually, he said the work of supporting LGBTQ+ communities continues year-round.
He also highlighted the importance of hosting Pride-related events in sports and the impact they can have on fans and local communities.
“Sports have always been a powerful medium for bringing people together, and the World Cup is the largest platform in the world, so let’s use that platform for good,” Cruz said.
JoAnn McEniry of EDGE New Jersey reflected on the significance of hosting Pride events in sports, noting that not long ago LGBTQ+ individuals were often excluded from participating openly in athletics.
McEniry said that as society continues to evolve, sports organizations have a responsibility to create environments where everyone feels welcome. She added that recognizing the challenges LGBTQ+ athletes and fans have faced is essential to building greater representation and inclusion.
Inclusion and visibility remained the central themes throughout the evening, as speakers celebrated the progress that has been made while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead.
“Tonight matters more than just a Pride celebration, but it is really reflective of generations of struggle and fight to where we are today,” McEniry said.
