LGBTQ Nuns BOOED By Fans As LA Dodgers Stadium Pride Night Is EMPTY While THOUSANDS PROTEST!
On June 16, 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted their 10th annual Pride Night at Dodger Stadium. The event was supposed to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and honor a group of queer and trans nuns called the **Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence**²³⁴. The Sisters are a charity organization that has been active since the 1970s, raising money and awareness for various causes such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and human rights³⁴.
However, the event turned out to be a disaster, as thousands of protesters descended upon the stadium to express their outrage at the Dodgers' decision to honor the Sisters¹². The protesters, organized by a group called **Catholics for Catholics**, accused the Sisters of being "blasphemous", "perverted", and "anti-Catholic"¹². They held signs like "Bud Light the Dodgers" and "Stop Anti Catholic Hate", and chanted "Save our Children"². They also blocked the main entrance of the stadium, causing traffic jams and delays for fans who wanted to attend the game¹².
The Dodgers had initially announced that they would present the Sisters with the **Community Hero Award** for their "lifesaving work" for the LGBTQ+ community³⁴. However, after facing backlash from conservative Catholics, they rescinded the invitation and apologized for any offense caused³⁴. This sparked another wave of criticism from LGBTQ+ activists and allies, who accused the Dodgers of caving in to pressure and discriminating against the Sisters³⁴. After a week of controversy, the Dodgers reversed course again and re-invited the Sisters to the Pride Night³⁴.
The award ceremony took place before the game between the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. Two members of the Sisters joined members of the Dodgers organization near the third base line to accept the award². The stadium announcer praised them for their "outstanding service to the LGBTQ+ community"². However, the stands were mostly empty during the pre-game event, as many fans had not arrived yet or chose to skip it². The small crowd that was present responded with a mix of cheers and boos, with some fans showing support and others expressing disapproval².
The game itself was overshadowed by the protests and the controversy. The Dodgers lost to the Giants 6-4, ending their four-game winning streak⁵. Many fans left early or did not show up at all, leaving many seats vacant⁵. Some fans said they were disappointed by the Dodgers' handling of the situation and felt alienated by their choice to honor the Sisters⁵. Others said they were proud of the Dodgers for standing up for diversity and inclusion and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community⁵.
The Pride Night debacle has raised questions about the role of sports teams in social issues and how they balance different perspectives and values among their fan base. The Dodgers have been praised by some for being progressive and inclusive, but criticized by others for being disrespectful and insensitive. The Sisters have been hailed by some as heroes and activists, but denounced by others as mockers and haters. The protesters have been seen by some as defenders of faith and morality, but by others as bigots and extremists.
What do you think? Do you support or oppose the Dodgers' decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence? Do you think sports teams should get involved in social issues or stay neutral? Share your thoughts in the comments below!