The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that the players will be wearing custom hats to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 3.
In recent years, the MLB has made a concerted effort to involve LGBTQ+ baseball fans, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown their pride in their local LGBTQ+ community with their annual celebration of Pride Night.
This June marks two historic firsts for the Dodgers: on June 3, the team will debut custom hats for their Pride Night game at Dodgers Stadium. On June 11, the Dodgers and Giants will take the field at Oracle Park in their respective Pride hats, a first in MLB history.
The Dodgers teamed up with LA Pride to offer an exclusive Pride Night package, which includes a ticket to the game and a Dodgers LGBTQ+-themed jersey.
Los Angeles Dodgers advance LGBTQ+ sports history with Pride Night this June
According to LA Pride, a few Dodgers icons who paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community in the world of sports will be recognized at this year’s Pride Night.
Before their June 3 game, the Dodgers will recognize former Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Glenn Burke, the first openly gay player in the MLB.
The Dodgers will host Billy Bean, another former Dodger outfielder who has been the only other MLB to come out publicly. Bean did so after his playing career ended in 1995. Bean now serves as the MLB’s SVP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in addition to being the Special Assistant to the Commissioner.
Bean’s presence has made in a difference the MLB, spearheading initiatives like the Oct. 21 league-wide celebration of Spirit Day, a day that sheds light on how bullying affects LGBTQ+ youth.
Los Angeles continues the long tradition of pioneering events for the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, it was LA Pride that “organized the world’s first permitted parade advocating for gay rights on June 28, 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion.”