Dodgers aim for inclusive LGBTQ+ pride night celebration by moving past 2023 controversy over divisive drag troupe invitation

Last season the Los Angeles Dodgers got caught up in a messy situation over their plans for the LGBTQ+ Pride Night. The team had invited a drag street performance group called the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” to perform at the event. This led to strong objections from certain groups who felt that the drag troupe went too far with their provocative personas and outfits.

The members "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" Drag group | Photo: GETTY

After a ton of backlash and heated public debate, the Dodgers had no other choice but to remove the drag performers from the Pride Night lineup. While this defused the controversy, it also left a sour taste for many in the LGBTQ+ community who felt their voices were not being heard or respected.

The “Pride Night” is an annual event celebrated by the MLB. It is held in June every year to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in different stadiums by different teams. The MLB first openly held an event for this community back in 1994 when the San Francisco Giants held the first event called the “Until There’s a Cure Day” event.

However, the cause for the beginning of the “Pride Night” event came in 2000 when two females were kicked out of Dodger Stadium for kissing each other. This is the 11th annual event, which will be held at Dodger Stadium on Friday, June 14th.

This year, fans will be able to participate and take dance lessons from a dance group called “Stud Country,” who specializes in a unique queer dance step that represents the LGBTQ+ Cowboy culture. An LA-based queer DJ known by the name “DJ Brizzle” will be present during the night.

There will also be a fashion contest called “Vogue Off,” which will be judged by Judges Gerald Garth, Anthony Allen Ramos and Sherry Cola. Finally, the national anthem will be sung by “Destiny Rogers."

Fans buying event tickets will get access to special black Dodgers LGBTQ+-themed jerseys.

More on the Dodgers “Pride Night” event controversy last year

Last year, the Dodgers invited the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to perform during “Pride Night." However, the performance by the drag group was not taken in a good way by the religious community as they were provocative in nature.

The person most vocal about the event was former Vice President Mike Pence, who showed his disgust through his X handle.

“Having been raised in a Catholic family, the Dodgers decision to invite the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a hateful group that blatantly mocks Catholicism, to their event next month is deeply offensive.

"The MLB should not be apologizing to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, they should be apologizing to Catholics across America. America’s pastime should respect the faith of every American no matter what."

After much thought, however, the group was re-invited by the Dodgers, which sparked controversy among the right, and the people protested by holding banners outside Dodger Stadium.

Protest in front of the Dodgers' stadium | Photo: GETTY