** If you’re looking for the 2011 LGBT event with the Golden State Warriors, please click here. **

The team most associated with Tim Hardaway and his “I hate gay people” comment, the Golden State Warriors, are hosting their first ever official Gay and Lesbian night at Oracle Arena on March 11, 2010 when the Warriors take on the Portland Trailblazers.

The move leverages the strong gay and lesbian community in the Bay Area, which includes Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose.

The historic event is marked by several special events throughout the day.  (Purchase tickets to the events)

Other events that day include a special tailgating event, lounge access before the game, an special LGBT event t-shirt to mark the night, and seating with other gay and lesbian basketball fans.

Additionally, the National Anthem will be performed by the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus, and there will be a halftime performance by Cheer SF, a local gay cheerleading squad.

This is the first LGBT community night with the Golden State Warriors, but isn’t the NBA’s first. The Philadelphia 76ers hosted the first Gay and Lesbian community night in 2004. While the Toronto Raptors held an LGBT night dubbed Rainbow Hoops, a lesbian recreational basketball league in Toronto on February 23, 2007.

Tickets to the all-day events are just $25. If you are interested in event details or purchasing tickets, go to the San Francisco’s Gay Basketball Association website. Portions of the ticket proceeds goes to support the Positive Resource Center and the San Francisco Rockdogs.