On May 17 (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia), the Los Angeles Dodgers rescinded their Pride Night invitation toThe Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence—a famous LGBTQ+ group that performs in drag, according to NBC News.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was founded in San Francisco in 1979. The group's members dress in drag as nuns with elaborate makeup and have been on the forefront of LGBTQ+-rights activism for decades. The organization was slated to be honored June 16.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, had complained to the Major League Baseball commissioner about the Dodgers honoring this group, sending a letter.
However, there has been blowback against the Dodgers' action. Sister Roma, from the organization's San Francisco chapter, said, "I was so disappointed and so shocked that they would cave so quickly," NBC Bay Area noted.
In protest, Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner issued a statement. "Buckling to pressure from out-of-state, right-wing fundamentalists, the Dodgers caved to a religious minority that is perpetuating a false narrative about LGBTQ+ people. They have been fed lies about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and have therefore contributed to the ongoing, anti-LGBTQ smear campaign happening in this country," he said.
Hollendoner added, "We call on the Dodgers to reconsider their decision, honor the Sisters, and bring the true spirit of Pride back to Dodgers Stadium. If the decision is not reversed, we strongly encourage the Dodgers to cancel Pride Night. Any organization that turns its back on LGBTQ+ people at this damning and dangerous inflection point in our nation's history should not be hoisting a rainbow flag or hosting a 'Pride Night.'"
Also, LA Pride has dropped out of Pride Night. The organization tweeted, "As a result and in solidarity with our community, LA Pride will not be participating in this year's Dodgers Pride Night event."
—Andrew Davis
