PRIDE '21 AT SOULCYCLE

SoulCycle has always had a vibrant queer community, but we knew there was work to be done to make it even more inclusive—to expand our sanctuary. Throughout the month, we celebrated the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, finding ways to increase our allyship with the Trans community and create affirming, inclusive spaces where all within the LGBTQ+ community are welcomed. One bike at a time. One soul at a time. Our pride grows. One for another.

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ORGANIC SOCIAL

Campaign introduction (Instagram in-feed): Pride 2021—starring Nala Simone Toussaint (@nalasimonet), Cecilia Gentili (@ceciliagentili72), B. Hawk Snipes (@bhawksnipes), Shelby Jackson (@shelbyrjack), and Kelly Chick (@kellythechick).

Every year, we collaborate with our Queer Employee Resource Group at Soul to celebrate our Queer community during Pride—and this year we’re expanding our Soul Fam. Throughout the month we’ll be inviting new members of the LGBTQ+ community into the pack. We welcome their perspectives and lived experiences into our hearts, minds, and feeds as we celebrate their souls at SOUL. In addition to sharing stories from the Queer community, we’re teaming up with Destination Tomorrow (@destinationtomorrow452), a trans-led organization that is committed to making sure its LGBTQ+ community members have a space of their own in which to grow, learn, and flourish. We’ll be partnering with them and other Queer-centered organizations to expand our Soul Fam by reserving complimentary community bikes for members of the LGBTQ+ community around the country. One bike at a time. One soul at a time. Our pride grows. One for another.

Nala Simone Toussaint, Pride Profile

“I lead with pride.”

Nala Simone Toussaint (she/her/Goddess) is a transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) Health Advocacy Coordinator at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and the founder of Reuniting of African Descendants (@road_4_us). She engages and mobilizes TGNB patients and their allies—as well as external community members—to advocate for policies that expand access to gender-affirming health care and services.

What does living with pride mean to you?
“Pride to me means being a soldier in a war where you are subjected to pain, suffering, and sometimes a victory no matter where you walk. Pride to me is being seen in a world that does not see me for who I am; it means continuously proving my existence in ways that make sense for the common eye, even when that common eye cannot see my greatness. Pride is being that ray of light that shines bright like the sun! It is walking with confidence, grace, and sass—with courage and resilience.”

Head to the link in our bio to hear more from Nala on her identity and experience and to learn more about our Community Bikes initiative with @destinationtomorrow452

B. Hawk Snipes, Pride Profile

“I serve looks with pride.”

B. Hawk Snipes (they/them, she/her) is a social activist and current cast member of @poseonfx. As a graduate of Fiorello LaGuardia High school for Music & Art and Performing Arts, B. found their passion for the arts at a young age and is committed to tying that passion with their pursuit of community service and activism.

How has your identity affected, guided, or changed your life?
“My identity is all that I am. It’s the highs of life and the lows of darkness that have formed me into who I am today.”

If you could give your 10-year-old self a mantra to live by, what would it be?
“Get Your Life!”

In ___ years I want ____ for myself and ____ for the world.
“In 10 years I want a family for myself and more healing for the world.”

Shelby Jackson, Pride Profile

“I show up with pride.”

Shelby Jackson (she/her) is a former SoulCycle studio and HQ staff member. She’s currently working as a talent coordinator at Netflix as well as a freelance casting director for television. Shelby strives to bring diversity across all platforms while constantly working towards spreading love and positivity in the queer community. If she’s not working, she’s probably riding.

What are the three key moments that brought you to where you are today?
“1. My family always being accepting and letting me do my thing.
2. The moment in which @melaniegriffithnyc helped me get into SoulCycle corporate started my career and pushed me to truly step into myself and show up for the people around me and the world. Joining the SoulCycle family brought me an actual family that I could call on outside of work and laugh, cry, share joy with.
3. Cutting my hair off. The feeling I had that I could do anything. I felt unstoppable and finally felt extremely comfortable in my body and soul.”

Kelly Chick, Pride Profile

“I love with pride.”

Kelly Chick (she/her) is a New York/Boston based actor. During her career, Kelly has had the opportunity to work on a number of new plays and deeply values projects that pioneer and champion feminist, queer, and intersectional stories. Kelly joined the Soul Fam in 2017 as an avid rider and now works on the SoulCycle production team at @eqxplus.

Why is Queer history important today?
“People literally fought and died so that I can live openly—every public display of love I get to share with my partner is so much more special and precious because we recognize and honor the oppression endured by previous generations. I’ll never take that for granted. However, the fight is far from over—perhaps now more than ever, we must acknowledge how far we’ve come to truly understand how much we have to lose.”

Why is it important to live authentically?
“Living authentically is an invitation for others to do the same.”

Cecilia Gentili, Pride Profile

“I shine with pride.”

Cecilia Gentili (she/her) found her passion for advocacy and community service when she started working at the LGBT Community Center in New York City. Throughout her career, Cecilia has trained more than 3,000 individuals on a range of issues that include LGBTQ inclusion, immigration, drug use, sexual health, trans sensitivity, and intersectionality. She’s also starred as a cast member on @poseonfx.

What are the three key moments that brought you to where you are today?
“The first time I met another trans woman and I realized I was not the only one. My move to the US. My search for recovery.”

If you could give your 10-year-old self a mantra to live by, what would it be?
“Like Marsha said…’Pay them no mind.’”

As an LGBTQ+ family, how do we show up for each other? How can we do better?
“I think that showing up should be consistent. Pride ends and the issues of the community continue so we should all be consistent in the support we offer to each other at all times.”

Retail In-Feed

Walk into the room pride first. Our 2021 Pride Collection just dropped, and it’s bursting with so much color 🌈 This year, we’re donating a portion of the proceeds to our Pride partners at Destination Tomorrow (@destinationtomorrow452), a trans-led organization that provides support for the LGBTQ+ community in the Bronx and beyond. Tap ☝️to shop and wear your pride on your sleeve 💛

Retail In-Feed

Life’s more colorful when you wear your SOUL with pride 😍🌈 If you haven’t copped our Pride 2021 collection yet, check it out at the Soul Shop or in studio 💛 #WearMySoul

Retail Story

WEBSITE HOMEPAGE

PAID SOCIAL

In-Feed Paid

Text: Introducing our 2021 Pride collection—only at SoulCycle. Wear your Pride on your sleeve.
Headline: Our Pride Grows.
Description: One For Another.
Overlay: Pride Collection 2021
CTA: Shop Now

In-Feed Paid

Text: When we proudly bare our authentic selves, it inspires others to do the same. Let’s show up—one for another.
Headline: 2021 Pride Rides at SOUL.
Description: Join Us All June Long.
Overlay: Join us in the ride
CTA: Book Now