Scheduling conflict forces Tempo Pride game fans to choose between two iconic events

The Toronto Tempo's inaugural Pride game is colliding with one of Pride weekend's most cherished community events, forcing some queer fans to choose between the two.

The Tempo will face the Phoenix Mercury at 2 p.m. June 29, at Scotiabank Arena — the exact time the annual Dyke March kicks off in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. For many LGBTQ+ fans, the march represents the activist heart of Pride, while the Tempo's Play with Pride event marks a historic first for the city's new professional basketball team.

Krystle Merrow, a Tempo season ticket holder, will miss the Dyke March for the first time in 15 years to attend the game. "I probably go back and forth every day about it," Merrow said. "It sucks that it's at the exact same time as the Tempo game — the game they're saying is specifically for Pride. If it was just one hour later, we could have marched to the Tempo game."

Others have chosen differently. Elle Stark sold her $70 tickets at a loss to attend the march instead. "It's such an important part of Pride in the community," she said.

The Tempo requested game dates far in advance, but the WNBA controls tip-off times, communications director Bri Bijman said. "That community is incredibly important to us, and we'll take this into account as we plan future Pride celebrations to help ensure more fans are able to take part in both," Bijman said in a statement.