On a warm Monday evening, May 18, the doors of Rough & Tumble Pub in Ballard opened to a crowd gathered not just for a premiere, but for a declaration of identity, community, and pride. Seattle’s LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, allies, and organizations like Cheer Seattle came together for the exclusive debut of Welcome to Seattle: This Is How We Pride — a new campaign celebrating the city’s spirit ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The atmosphere inside was electric. Guests mingled beneath colorful artwork and campaign posters as conversations buzzed over locally crafted drinks and specially curated offerings from queer-, BIPOC-, and women-owned businesses. Organizers proudly highlighted the evening’s sponsors, emphasizing that the event itself reflected the campaign’s core values: inclusion, representation, and community support.
One of the night’s standout moments came with the unveiling of the “Pride Match IPA,” freshly canned only hours earlier and served publicly for the very first time. Attendees admired collectible cans featuring artwork from the campaign’s Pride posters, while other local brands — including Surfside, Kellen Rowe’s canned rosé Playmaker, and Orculo Ajeno, the first lesbian Latina-owned tequila company in the United States — added to the distinctly Seattle flavor of the celebration.
As the crowd settled in, speakers took the stage to reflect on the significance of the project. Gratitude flowed freely toward the filmmakers, community partners, and participants who contributed their honesty, humor, vulnerability, and heart. For many in attendance, the campaign represented more than a media launch — it was a deeply personal reflection of Seattle itself.
One speaker, identifying as both a lifelong Seattleite and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, described the campaign as a tribute to the city’s enduring spirit of creativity, individuality, inclusion, and connection. The audience responded warmly, recognizing themselves in the stories about to unfold on screen.
The series features more than 50 voices from across Washington State, each responding to the prompt: “I Pride by…” Their answers span joy, courage, humor, artistry, activism, and resilience. Featured participants include Megan Rapinoe, Detlef Schrempf, Jess Fishlock, Jordan Eberle, Justice Mary Yu, Everett Fitzhugh, and many others whose stories together form what organizers called “a love letter to Seattle.”
As the lights dimmed and attention turned toward three large screens, anticipation filled the room. Organizers encouraged attendees to continue sharing the campaign following its public launch — reposting favorite videos, tagging friends, and using the hashtag #HowWePride to amplify the movement throughout Pride Month and beyond.
At the heart of the evening was a clear message: with billions of eyes soon turning toward Seattle during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, this campaign offers the city an opportunity to define itself on its own terms — welcoming, expressive, inclusive, and proudly authentic. Long after the final whistle, organizers said, these stories will remain as a lasting record of who Seattle is and who Seattle chooses to be.
