Minor League Baseball announced the official launch of MiLB Pride, the largest documented Pride celebration in professional sports, as part of the organization’s diversity and inclusion initiative. Nearly 70 MiLB teams will host Pride Nights or events this season. MiLB Pride events will include teams holding LGBTQ-themed nights, incorporating Pride into scheduled promotions, providing discounted tickets to LGBTQ organizations, and/or engaging with the LGBTQ community both in the ballpark and beyond. Additionally, some teams are giving back to their local communities by donating a portion of ticket sales to LGBTQ non-profit organizations in their area.
“Sports can bring people together and help transcend differences. MiLB Pride is putting the power of sports into action and building bridges to the LGBTQ community that didn’t previously exist,” said Vincent Pierson, director of diversity and inclusion for Minor League Baseball. “Launching this program is a proud moment for the game of baseball and we look forward to building on this in the future.” The national platform includes teams forming partnerships with more than 150 local LGBTQ organizations across the country. Those alignments include MiLB’s national partnerships with You Can Play – an organization that advocates for equality and respect for all who connect with sports, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity – and Pride Tape, “a badge of support from teammates, coaches, parents and pros to young LGBTQ players and fans.”
