Staff Reports
At their recent Pride Night event, the Los Angeles Dodgers surprised many people by giving the "Community Hero Award" to a group of anti-Catholic drag singers called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Even though there weren't many people at the pre-game event, the team still honored these hateful people, which led to loud boos and protests from those who were there. CatholicVote, the group that led the pressure campaign against the Dodgers, has asked for an apology and a gift to a real religious order of nuns who help the weak.
Catholic Group 'Just Getting Started' When It Comes to Putting Pressure on Dodgers https://t.co/SZ26SLfd9j
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 22, 2023
In the weeks before the game, CatholicVote ran ads all the time. They sent text messages and digital ads to phones that had been inside Dodger Stadium. Even as groups of Dodger fans walked to the stadium, they drove billboard trucks through the streets. CatholicVote also put out an ad that reminded people that when the Dodgers let Jackie Robinson play, they were the team that stood up for values. But praising drag queens who are against Catholics is "not the Dodger's way," the ad said.
DODGER STADIUM-The “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” are recognized for Pride night to a mostly empty audience.
Two Dodgers fan nearby begin loudly booing after they’re announced: pic.twitter.com/OO6NT5RIc8
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023
BREAKING: Thousands of Catholics have shut down the main entrance to Dodger Stadium on Vin Scully avenue in protest of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence being honored tonight.
They are now lining the sidewalks and have taken over the entire block: pic.twitter.com/F5CSDvuap8
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium presented by Blue Shield of California. 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/XR3oo7aXqb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2023
“If you are anti-Catholic, you’re anti-religion, you’re anti-God, I got a problem with that”
A Jewish rabbi speaks in solidarity with the Catholics outside of Dodger Stadium. The crowd has exponentially grown in size and more people are still continuing to arrive: pic.twitter.com/6WiYRIWZvp
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 16, 2023
FINAL: Giants 15, #Dodgers 0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 18, 2023
“In the designs of Providence there are no mere coincidences.”
-Saint John Paul II https://t.co/ndKXqA0Uor
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) June 18, 2023
The choice to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was wrong, and CatholicVote is right to say that there should be consequences. Their campaign showed not only the Dodgers but also every other MLB team and every big company that mocking or attacking Christians as part of a so-called "Pride" event will not be allowed.
Even though they were told to apologize, the Dodgers didn't. Instead, they doubled down on celebrating the anti-Catholic drag queens. It's clear that the team feels no shame or regret about what they did.
All over the country, Catholics and Christians are speaking out against the Dodgers because they invited an anti-Catholic group. Even a rabbi was heard saying that the Dodgers shouldn't honor the group.
The Dodgers' success has also been hurt by this terrible choice. When the San Francisco Giants beat the Dodgers 15-0, it was the worst home shutout loss in Dodgers history. This is the first time since 2012 that they've lost by 10 runs or less more than once in a season. At the moment, the Dodgers are third in the National League West, 3.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It's time for the Dodgers to admit what they've done wrong and say they're sorry. CatholicVote and other groups will continue to hold them responsible for what they do until they do. Every company in the country should take note: if you want to be bigoted and hateful toward Christians, you will pay the price.
