The New England Patriots have long been champions of LGBTQ+ rights and causes, and one of the major forces behind the effort is Patriots owner Robert Kraft himself. Kraft has been publicly supporting LGBTQ+ efforts for the past 15 years, and he most recently continued to show support by attending the opening day of Boston’s Gay Flag Football League.
Robert Kraft Supported Marriage in Massachusetts
Robert Kraft’s first foray into publicly supporting LGBTQ+ causes was back in 2006, when he signed onto a petition in favor of gay marriage.
The petition asked then-Governor Mitt Romney and fellow leaders to drop a bill that would make same-sex marriage illegal within Massachusetts. The signees wanted to maintain the legality of gay marriage. Kraft was one of 165 prominent leaders in the state who signed onto the petition.
Not surprisingly, some people dissented from Kraft’s position and expressed regret at his decision. Firm in his convictions, Kraft later shrugged these dissenters of with “oh well.” He knew you couldn’t please everyone all of the time, and it was more important to take a stand for his core values.
Patriots Sponsor Gay Flag Football League Championship
The New England Patriots supported LGBTQ+ causes in various ways since Kraft showed his support for gay marriage within the state. The Patriots organization’s most visible support came in 2017.
The Patriots became the first National Football League team to sponsor the championship of the Gay Flag Football League. The team hosted the inaugural championship, which is known as the Gay Bowl, back in 2017.
Since the Patriots hosted the inaugural Gay Bowl, every other NFL team has shown support for the league. The Arizona Cardinals will host the 2021 Gay Bowl, and each team has sponsored the league in one way or another.
Kraft Attended Gay Flag Football League Opener
Kraft most recently showed public support for the LGBTQ+ community on September 18. 2021. He was in attendance at the Boston Gay Flag Football League’s opening day, which took place in Dorchester.
It might seem unusual for the owner of an NFL team with a state-of-the-art stadium to attend football games at a nondescript Dorchester location, but this priority is about more than stadium features and team allegiances. Kraft is in support of the LGBTQ+ community, and that’s why he attended the opening day games (not to mention to enjoy some flag football).
Josh Kraft Explains Family Values
Josh Kraft, who is the New England Patriots Foundation’s President, was also in attendance at the opening day games. He explained the family’s, foundation’s and team’s support of LGBTQ+ causes: “We’re aspiring to be the best advocates possible for the LGBTQ+ community…we’re all the same people.”
Robert Kraft certainly has been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and he continues to be a leader among NFL owners and sports moguls in this area.
About Robert Kraft
Robert Kraft is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Group. He is also the owner of the New England Patriots (NFL), New England Revolution (MLS), Boston Uprising (esports) and Gillette Stadium.
