Dodgers to host 9th annual LGBTQ+ Night at Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers will host their ninth annual LGBTQ+ Night at Dodger Stadium, presented by Blue Shield of California, on Friday, June 3 at 7:10 p.m. This year, the highly anticipated game will feature an exclusive commemorative Dodger LGBTQ+ game jersey (photo attached) which is part of a special ticket package available for purchase now at dodgers.com/LAPride.
Prior to the game, the Dodgers will once again partner with LA Pride to host the official 2022 LA Pride kickoff party at Dodger Stadium in the Right Field Plaza Bar from 5:30 p.m. until first pitch at 7:10 p.m. Produced by non-profit organization Christopher Street West Association, LA Pride is Southern California's biggest LGBTQ+ celebration and producer of LA’s official, original Pride parade.
The Dodgers will recognize former Los Angeles Dodger Glenn Burke, the first openly gay MLB player, with his siblings Lutha A. Burke Davis, Joyce Henderson, Carol Maas, Paula Hunt and Sidney Burke in attendance. The Burke family will have the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for this special game.
“The Dodgers are once again proud to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during this annual event, which has become one of the most anticipated nights of the season,” said Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President and CMO, Los Angeles Dodgers. “We are also very happy to recognize Glenn Burke and honor his memory with his family in a very special pre-game ceremony.”
Erik Braverman, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Broadcasting, Los Angeles Dodgers added: “The Dodgers have a long and proud history of diversity and inclusion. Our year-round commitment and partnership with the LGBTQ+ community is something the organization takes very seriously. I am beyond excited to welcome back LA Pride as an official partner and so many other great community organizations who have been with us since the beginning.”
Other special guests for the evening include Billy Bean, another former Dodger and the only other Major League Player to come out publicly after his playing career. Bean currently serves as Major League Baseball’s SVP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Dale Scott, who for 32 years served as a Major League Baseball umpire and who came out openly as gay in 2014, will also be at the game. He is the author of The Umpire Is Out: Calling the Game and Living My True Self. The Military Hero of The Game honoree will be 1st Lieutenant Belita Edwards, a proud LGBTQ+ veteran who was the first female officer allowed to work in the U.S. Army’s Transportation unit. Fallon Fox, Professional MMA fighter and featured in the book Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes are Claiming Their Rightful Place In Sports will also be in attendance along with other special guests to be honored on the field.
The National Anthem will be performed by international LGBTQ+ recording artist Wils, a singer-songwriter who brought a voice of change for the LGBTQ+ community in Asia after coming out as gay.
The Dodgers will also welcome back many partners for this special night, including:
- The Los Angeles LGBT Center – The world’s largest provider of programs and services for LGBT people. The Center’s nearly 800 employees, along with thousands of volunteers and supporters, are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.
- Outsports – A sports news website focusing on LGBTQ+ issues and personalities in amateur and professional sports. Outsports is the world's leading gay-sports publication.
- Varsity Gay League (V.G.L.) – The nation’s largest LGBTQ+ Recreational Sports league, established in 2007. With thousands of members, V.G.L. is committed to connecting players of all ages and skill levels, gay or straight, with new ways to socialize and play. A pregame kickball game with select members of V.G.L. will take place in the outfield following the Dodgers’ and Mets’ batting practice on June 3.
- The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA) – A gay and lesbian slow-pitch softball league committed to providing an opportunity for both gay and non-gay participants to compete in an environment conducive to the gay community.
- Gym Sportsbar and Grill – With locations in New York, Fort Lauderdale and West Hollywood, proudly the largest family of LGBTQ+ sports bars in the country.
LGBTQ+ Pride Night will also include Friday Night Fireworks and will feature a special music mix by DJ Bowie J. Fans are invited on the field immediately following the game for the fireworks show.
For more information, please visit www.dodgers.com/LAPride.