A post shared by ZACH HERRIN (@zach.herrin)Not only has NASCAR competitor Zach Herrin helped transform the racing world by competing as an out gay man, but now he’s partnering with a big-name organization to raise awareness about anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.This racing season, Herrin will be sponsored by the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Lambda Legal.
Their logo will be emblazoned upon his Toyota Camry stock car along with a sleek rainbow design, providing a perpetual reason for him to discuss the group’s vital advocacy work.“Like me, Lambda Legal cares deeply about LGBTQ+ causes and partnering with them is a perfect fit,” he wrote in a recent Instagram post. “I want to be visible in professional sports so that my voice is heard by those who feel silenced and resonates on their behalf.”Their partnership is especially important considering that he’s participating in the largest race of the season in Florida, the ARCA Menards Series-opening ARCA Daytona 200.
Florida passed its infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law just last year. leaving educators subject to possible lawsuits and firing if they acknowledge the existence of LGBTQ+ people in classrooms.“When the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill was first brought to Florida I thought there was a lack of large LGBTQ+ voices, specifically athletes, taking their stance to say we’re highly against this,” Herrin told Outsports.He said he approached Lambda Legal last year for possible sponsorship.
He hopes their sponsorship will give him an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the law as well as the fact that even stricter laws like it are being introduced across the country.Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings, himself a big NASCAR fan, told the aforementioned publication, “This is a great opportunity to educate people.