Aviva has created an ‘Allyship Alley’ at the Aviva Stadium to mark the latest initiative in its support for the LGBTQ+ community.
This year’s focus is to highlight the importance of allyship and encourage the public to be an ally and support the LGBTQ+ community to feel accepted, included and celebrated.
Devin Toner launched the campaign yesterday.
“I was one of the senior players in the dressing room when Nick McCarthy and Jack Dune came out and there was only support from us for their decision,” he said.
It was a surprise as I don’t think there was any rugby player at the elite level had spoken about this before. Hopefully things have changed over the past 20 years but nobody else has come out since then.
“We really need to get to a place where people just are who they are and it is no big thing to come out.”
This campaign is part of helping to create that environment, where those around can express their support and encourage everyone to live their own life.”
Allyship Alley’s giant rainbow decal, pictured above’ will be visible for the Republic of Ireland Euro Qualifier against Gibraltar on June 19th.
There are also specially designed Pride socks, priced at €10,which have been created in partnership with sustainable Irish clothing brand, Human collective, and are available to purchase here.
For every pair of socks sold, Aviva will be matching the sale and donating €10 to Belong To.
And to further support the initiative, Aviva will donating €10 for every new home policy bought during the month of June to the charity.
“We are delighted to launch our Pride activity with our Allyship Alley at Aviva Stadium and Pride Socks,” said Brian O’Neill, Head of Communications, Sponsorship and Sustainability at Aviva Ireland.
“This year all proceeds are going to BelongTo, a vital youth service for the LGBTQ+ community. Equality and inclusion are two values that we place great importance in at Aviva and having such a visual representation of our support like Allyship Alley makes us very proud.”
“On behalf of Belong To, I’d like to express my gratitude to Aviva for partnering with us and putting together such a strong show of support for the LGBTQ+ community,” added Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To.
“The proceeds from the sale of Aviva’s Pride socks and donations from the sale of new home insurance policies during the month of June, will have a massively positive impact on the level of service we can provide.”
Watch out for some special activity we have planned to mark Dublin Pride Week at the end of June.
