Los Angeles Dodgers Re-Invite Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to Pride Night
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reversed their decision and apologized to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of self-described queer and trans nuns, for removing them from the honorees list at their upcoming June 16 Pride Night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers added that the sisters agreed to be honored for their 27 years of service in the LGBTQIA+ community. The move comes after fans, the LGBTQ+ community, and elected leaders criticized the team for removing the sisters from the list of honorees.
Backtracking on Initial Decision
A few days after Bill Donohue, the president and CEO of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, emailed Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to urge the team to yank the group, the Dodgers removed the sisters from Pride Night. Donohue’s letter called the sisters “an obscene anti-Catholic group.” The move sparked backlash among supporters of the sisters, who say they’re devoted to community service, ministry, and outreach for marginalized communities. One member, who wished to be identified only as Sister Unity, said that the group uses humor to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency, and guilt. Sister Unity insists that her group does not mock Catholics.
The Dodgers‘ initial decision to remove the group from the honorees list was seen as capitulating to pressure from a religious group, and it did not sit well with supporters of LGBTQ+ rights. Various elected officials also criticized the Dodgers, including L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, who termed it “an unfortunate step backward,” and Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who said that major league teams have a responsibility to support diversity and inclusion.
The Dodgers‘ Apology
The Dodgers issued a statement saying that they had reconsidered after feedback and conversations with the sisters and “our diverse communities.” The team apologized to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and their friends and families. They offered the sisters a Community Hero Award to honor them for their “lifesaving work that they have done tirelessly for decades.” The sisters accepted the apology and reiterated their commitment to ongoing dialogue and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
In a statement, the Los Angeles LGBT Center expressed its satisfaction with the Dodgers‘ decision to re-invite the sisters and apologize. The center called it “a step in the right direction” and supported the Sisters’ acceptance of their “much-deserved Community Hero Award.”
Editorial and Advice
The Dodgers‘ about-face and apology offer a perfect example of a positive outcome in the face of negative publicity and controversy. The team recognized its error and demonstrated its commitment to diversity and inclusion, which is a core value in modern society. It is essential to realize that diversity and inclusion are not optional extras to be dispensed when it is convenient, but rather fundamental principles that must be upheld to create a just and equitable society.
Organizations must realize that they can face consequences when they try to kowtow to a particular group’s pressure instead of being consistent with their values. Therefore, companies and organizations must prioritize diversity and inclusion instead of pandering to particular groups. At the same time, it is essential to embrace dialogue and listen to people’s voices instead of silencing them.
In conclusion, the Dodgers‘ apology is a step in the right direction, demonstrating their commitment to diversity and inclusion. The move is not only a win for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, but also for the LGBTQ+ community, and it sends a message that companies and organizations must prioritize their core values and embrace diversity.
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