The Miami Dolphins announced Wednesday Hard Rock Stadium will be lit in the rainbow pride flag colors of red, yellow, orange and purple this weekend to celebrate Miami Beach Pride and pay tribute to the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Fla.

The stadium illumination plan was welcomed by the organizers of the annual event, which draws thousands of revelers to Miami Beach.

“The addition of the stadium in our ‘Pride Lights the Night’ tribute initiative is literally a beacon in the community symbolizing unity and we look forward to celebrating with the Dolphins at our 11th annual parade and festival on April 7th,” said Bruce Horwich, Chairman of the Miami Beach Pride Board of Directors.

In addition to Hard Rock Stadium, Pride Lights the Night will feature buildings and structures throughout Miami-Dade, lit-up in rainbow colors and festooned with pride flags. Recording artist Josean Garcia, one of the 53 survivors of the Pulse shootings, will flip the switch to turn the Herzog & de Meuron parking garage into a giant display of pride colors.

“As the mission of Miami Beach Pride is to bring together members of the LGBTQ and allied communities in the spirit of diversity, inclusion and celebration, we wholeheartedly welcome the Miami Dolphins organization as a marquee partner in that mission,” Horwich said.

The Dolphins and Miami Beach Pride are now partners in the team’s Football Unites program.

“We are committed to being inclusive of the diversity and aware of the intersections that make up South Florida and look forward to connecting Miami Beach Pride with our other partners to make a long-term impact in our community,” said Jason Jenkins, Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs.

Other Football Unites partners include 4Ward Miami (Gay8 Festival), Alliance for GLBTQ Youth, Aqua Foundation for Women, Pridelines and SAVE.

43 partners.

1,600 participants.

9,000 people reached.



In its inaugural year, our #FootballUnites program is creating discussions to bring the South Florida community together. We are excited about what 2019 brings! #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/6BgjVXG61j — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 21, 2019

Learn more about this weekend’s Miami Pride events by clicking here.