Be True

With the introduction of the original BE TRUE campaign in 1985, some of the most storied programs in collegiate hoops finally had the footwear that allowed athletes and fans to show their school colours. In 1969, during the final weekend in June, the Stonewall riots marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement that has transformed oppression into pride. In 2012, Nike began to celebrate the achievements of the New York City, San Francisco and Portland communities as progressive leaders of LGBT life with city-specific footwear releases and an accompanying hat and tee.

The 2015 #BETRUE collection of uniquely designed footwear, apparel and equipment, inspired by the LGBT community and celebrating the passion and pursuit of sport by all athletes, is centered by the #BETRUE gradient rainbow. Reflecting both the diversity found within sports and Nike’s support for the LGBT community, the collection spans performance to lifestyle and includes the Nike Free Run 5.0, Nike Hyper Rev and the Nike Run Roshe. The #BETRUE 2015 campaign highlights the energy of #BETRUE in eight cities: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Portland, Ore., and Washington, DC. Nike acknowledges these communities as progressive leaders of LGBT rights and equality with city-specific footwear releases and accompanying hat and tee. 

This initiative speaks to me deeply and a lyric from Frank Ocean runs through my head as I write this - “I believe that marriage isn’t between a man & woman, but between love and love.” The convergence of art, culture and sport are in my DNA and I applaud Nike for being a catalyst of change and providing the bridges between these elements of life and showing that love is love.

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