Nissan: Nissan celebrates LGBTQ pride, revs up for 40th Annual NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series

  • Nissan returns for second year as a sponsor of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Gay Softball World Series.
  • Partnership expands to bring the local community together through Pride and other LGBTQ events.
  • Engaged employees and allies are a driving force behind Nissan’s LGBTQ outreach efforts.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan today announced it is furthering its partnership with the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) to sponsor the 40th Annual Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) from August 15 to 20 in Austin, Texas. This is the second year Nissan is sponsoring the series, and is expanding the partnership with local NAGAAA softball leagues at LGBTQ and Pride events through the end of 2016, including Long Beach Pride, L.A. Pride, Capital Pride, Nashville Pride, San Francisco Pride, New York City Pride, Atlanta Pride and Orlando Pride as well as Northalsted Market Days in Chicago.

“Pride is about bringing our community together. So, we’re thrilled that we can extend our partnership with Nissan to work more closely with our local gay leagues as well as celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gay Softball World Series together in Austin,” said Chris Balton, commissioner of NAGAAA.

Created in 1977, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance Open Division is a not-for-profit international sports organization comprised of men and women dedicated to promoting amateur athletics for the LGBTQ community. The organization was formed after the first Gay Softball World Series.

“Our LGBTQ outreach is a point of pride for employees and helps us attract not only new customers to the Nissan brand but also potential employees,” said Erich Marx, director, Marketing, and executive sponsor of Gay Straight Alliance at Nissan. “The Gay Softball World Series is a great fit for Nissan and gives us a chance to get involved in the community and present a compelling, personalized experience with our vehicles and our brand.”

More than 185 teams from 43 cities across the United States and Canada are participating in six days of events, including opening and closing ceremonies, a multi-division tournament and community events. The series is expected to draw more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and fans.  

Since 2013, Nissan has scored a perfect 100 in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index for its LGBTQ-inclusive policies and commitment to the community. The company was among the fastest risers in the history of the index.

Nissan’s Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSAN) is the driving force behind the company’s LGBTQ outreach efforts. Nissan also offers inclusive benefits and Championing Diversity workshops for employees, and a “Diversity and Inclusion” team works closely with advocacy groups such as the HRC to drive a culture of equality in the workplace. Other Nissan LGBTQ sponsorships include the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, and a number of regional events and groups.

Nissan will showcase one of its own all-stars at the series, the 2016 Maxima, also known as the “4-Door Sports Car.” The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) designated the 2016 Maxima as a Top Safety Pick Plus with a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention for those models equipped with Forward Emergency Braking.

For more information about the 2016 Nissan Maxima, please visit here.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co. 
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About NAGAAA
NAGAAA was formed to encourage the participation of gay men and lesbians in organized softball competition. Currently, over 800 teams in 43 leagues across the United States and Canada are members of NAGAAA. Teams representing these leagues participate in the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series (GSWS), hosted each year in a different member city. 

The NAGAAA Open Division teams consist of men/women mixed teams or exclusively male teams. We have five divisions of play — A, B, C, D and Masters (individuals that have reached 50 years of age). These division designations pertain to the competitive level of play, with “A” being the most skilled, and the “D” supporting the more recreational levels of play.

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Contact 

Darla Turner
Nissan Corporate Communications
(615) 725-5432
Darla.turner@nissan-usa.com

Calvin Fleming
goodpr.
(323) 484-6707
calvin@goodpr.com