Over the years, baseball teams across Major League Baseball have grown accustomed to holding game promotions to support and welcome the LGBTQ community, whether the events are called “Gay Day,” “Out at the Ballpark,” or just simply “Pride Night.” But one team has not hosted a “Pride Night” or any similar event in two decades: the Texas Rangers.
According to the Dallas News, the Texas Rangers are the only team in Major League Baseball that has not hosted an official promotional game in support of the LGBTQ community. Even the New York Yankees, which do not typically do promotional events at their games, hosted a “Legacy of Pride” night in 2019 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have not officially hosted any LGBTQ-centric promotional game over the past two decades. Back in in 2003, the team invited LGBT community groups to a game. Though it wasn’t a formal pride game promotion, according to the article, LGBTQ groups such as Dallas’ gay and lesbian volleyball league, gay rugby and softball leagues as well as the Texas Gay Rodeo Association were invited. However, the game drew anti-gay protests and the team has not held a similar event since.
The team has said multiple times over the past few years that they have no plans to hold a Pride Night in the future, and they’re taking some heat for that stance on social media.
Absolutely shameful @Rangers. Shameful. https://t.co/eR8EojPODo
— Cornell Woolridge 🦄 (@RenaissanceXM) June 3, 2023
Just shameful at this point that the Rangers still haven’t done this least amount of effort. https://t.co/BCn92anruO
— Drewbadour (@El_Drewbadour) June 3, 2023
extremely ashamed with the fan response to this. we should be embarrassed. https://t.co/Ss512Vh3nX
— Crusadxr🇺🇸🌐⚾️ (@crusadxr_) June 2, 2023
@RangerBlake @Rangers if you truly believe in inclusivity, a Pride Night would be a huge step in the right direction. Especially for LGBTQ+ season ticket holders such as myself.
— Zach Zant (@zacharyzant) June 2, 2023
Its a shame to because I love the merchandise the other teams sell. My devotion to my home team does not allow me to purchase another teams merchandise. Go Rangers!
— Tom (@Tomtossing) June 3, 2023
Texas. Still behind the rest of the world.
— Carlton Ward (@CarltonW39) June 3, 2023
Nothing about the state of Texas welcomes inclusivity.
Especially with Governor Abbott and the Republicans who had have complete control of the state forever.— C (@diablos49) June 3, 2023
It will be interesting to see whether or not the Rangers do choose to hold a Pride Night in the future.