Nike's #BeTrue Collection Supports Equality since 2012

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In 1985, Nike´s campaign called “Be True to Your School”, but it was in 2012 that Nike´s has been showing their support to LGBT community by presenting a special shoes called #BETRUE collection in honor of Pride Month. Actually it was Nike who was the first brand to create a special collection in support of LGBT community. Sadly you could only find the 2012 “Pride Pack” in three cities in USA – New York City, San Francisco and Portland.

Take a look on snazzy rainbow sneakers that Nike´s presented has the #BETRUE collection in support of LGBT community for 2012. Any thoughts?

The 2012 “#BeTrue” sneakers. Photo

In 2013, Nike decided to make, besides the running shoes, flip-flops, a phone case, and t-shirts. The only inconvenience was that the tribal inspired shoes and sandals were only for men.

The good news was that the #BETRUE collection of 2013 could be sold online.

Nike “#BeTrue” flip-flops. Photo .

Take a look on the full #BETRUE collection of 2013

Nike’s sales of their groundbreaking #BeTrue line far exceeded expectations, leading to the huge donation of $200 000 to the LGBT Sport Coalition.

Photographer Jeff Sheng, Nike’s Quinton Hawks, Cyd Zeigler, Nike’s Robert Goman & It Gets Better’s Stephanie Laffin.

and were two of the first active athletes in the US to come out in 2013.

Collins marched in Boston’s Pride Parade wearing a Nike “#BeTrue” t-shirt.

In April, 2013, Robbie Rogers, spoke at the Nike Be True LGBT Youth Forum in Portland.

CARSON, CA – MAY 26: Robbie Rogers #14 of Los Angeles Galaxy looks on prior to the start of the game against the Seattle Sounders FC at The Home Depot Center on May 26, 2013 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

In their 2014 collection Nike decided “to include the Nike Free 5.0 and Nike Free OG, as well as the Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski. The signature #BETRUE T-shirt anchors the apparel pieces, with the addition of a #BETRUE tank.” – Nike

“Nike is deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and unleashing the potential of all athletes,” said Tim Hershey, Nike vice president of global merchandising and executive chair of Nike’s LGBT & Friends Employee Network. “We’re rallying the world to embrace #BETRUE as a call-to-action for all athletes to be their most authentic selves in June and all year long.

We are a company committed to diversity, inclusion and unleashing human potential,” He added that, in a public statement announcing launch. “Nike believes if you have a body you are an athlete and we’re delighted that #BETRUE is becoming a call-to-action for all athletes to be their most authentic selves.”

Jason Collins during the march in support to LGBT community.

The #BETRUE 2014 collection which was sold out in a day.

“Nike donated up to $500,000 of net proceeds #BETRUE collection to the LGBT Sports Coalition, an association of organizations and individuals committed to ending anti-LGBT bias in sports.” – Agata Dera, Sports and International Media Intern, Glaad.

University of Massachusetts basketball guard Derrick Gordon, 22, faces reporters on the school’s campus, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, in Amherst, Mass. Gordon has become the first openly gay player in Division I men’s basketball. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

UMass guard Derrick Gordon (wearing a #BETRUE t-shirt) became the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player announcing his sexuality to the media. (AP).

The 2014 Nike Collection is now available

— Nike.com (@nikestore)

Take a close look on the #BETRUE 2014 collection.

#BETRUE Futura Tank

#BETRUE Reflective Tee

#BETRUE Just Do It Tee

The 2014 collection strives to build on the #BETRUE brand and the #BETRUE collection features rainbow colors as a reflection of the diversity within sports.

This is perfect timing because THE 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation organizes a week of events which is expected to bring 20,000 – 30,000 participants from all over the world. The gay games happen the week of August 9 – 14, 2014, in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.

Like any huge event they need volunteers, you can sign up at: . And for more information about how to participate in the games or on the list of events please visit:

C.D. Kirven , a Dallas native, is a well known LGBT rights activist. She has worked with the group Get Equal. Ms. Kirven was Dallas Voice “2012 LGBT Person of the Year” & in 2012 she was voted one of the 25 Most Significant Queer Women in the U.S. by Velvet Park Magazine. She is a nationally known artist, author, comic book creator and filmmaker.

For this year, Nike “redesigned rainbow sneakers, including the first ever #BETRUE basketball shoe, Elite socks, and a Five-Panel hat. The line also debuted updated versions of their signature #BETRUE T-shirts highlighting eight cities: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Portland, or, and Washington, DC.” – Rebecca Damante, Communications & PR Intern, Glaad.

The 2015 #BETRUE collection have been available for purchase since June 5 and will be during all month, on nike.com. Part of the merchandise will be available on the following Nike Stores (Portland, San Francisco, Union Street, New York, Flatiron, Boston, Chicago, Georgetown, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Lenox) and Nike Factory Stores (Portland, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, D.C., Orlando and Celebration, Florida).

Nike also helped to start the LGBT Sports Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and nondiscrimination in sports, no matter one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Ever since the coalition’s, Nike has hosted the LGBT Sports Summit, which the purpose is to fight against homophobia bias in sports.

Take a look on the 2015 #BETRUE collection.