This story originally appeared on Out.
The producers behind Heated Rivalry are giving back to the LGBTQ+ community.
Accent Aigu Entertainment — the production company behind the popular gay hockey romance show, led by cofounders Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady — has started a charity inspired by the books the show is based on.
The Irina Foundation is “dedicated to championing inclusivity and mental well-being and resilience by supporting programs that connect people through organized sports and the arts programs, with a focus on LGBTQIA2S+ and underserved communities,” the nonprofit’s website reads.
Kate Spade New York is the fund’s inaugural donor, and men’s grooming brand Harry’s is also an early supporter of the foundation.
Inspired by the Game Changer series of interconnected romance novels by Rachel Reid, the Irina Foundation takes its name from the charity that main characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozonov start at the end of the Heated Rivalry novel, and is named after Ilya’s late mother, who struggled with her own mental health.
“We chose the name Irina Foundation because, at the heart of Heated Rivalry, Irina represents something much bigger. She reminds us that behind every struggle is a person who deserves to be seen, loved and supported,” said Jayme Alter Wilson, president of Accent Aigu Entertainment. “The Foundation is our way of honoring that message. We hope to channel the love people have for the world Rachel has created, and for Shane and Ilya, into something that can make a meaningful difference in the real world.”
Much like Shane and Ilya’s charity, which they used to start a youth hockey camp promoting inclusion, the Irina Foundation will support established nonprofits “delivering existing qualifying arts and sports programs whose work aligns with its mission,” according to the website.
Reid, who created the fictional Irina Foundation, quickly commented on the organization’s Instagram post announcing the launch. “I’m so excited about this. It means so much,” she wrote.
