The York Revolution, a minor league baseball team in Pennsylvania, forfeited a game after players refused to wear jerseys supporting LGBTQ.
Officials with the team condemned the players for the loss. “Unfortunately, several of our players have refused to wear the scheduled Pride Night jersey and the club decided that hosting the event is more important than forcing players to wear jerseys they are not comfortable with and playing the game,” a statement read. “As a result, and out of respect for the Pride Community and the York community as a whole, the York Revolution has decided that the game on Thursday, June 18 will be forfeited and that Pride Night will continue on as the feature element of the evening at WellSpan Park.”
The statement emphasized that the action is “completely inconsistent with our vision as the Most Welcoming Place in York.”
The team announced that it would be making a $10,000 donation to the Rainbow Rose Center “as a small token of our regret for the last-minute change of plans and support for our LGBTQIA+ representing partners.”
The news comes as San Francisco Giants players have faced scrutiny by Major League Baseball (MLB) for writing Bible verses on their Pride Night hats.
Giants player Landen Roupp, who wore “Gen 9:12-16” on his hat, told reporters, “It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy. That’s just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I’m thankful we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want, and express what we want.”
When asked what he would say to those pushing back on his choice, he explained that “as a believer, I would push them to read the Bible. God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don’t think I’d be here right now if it wasn’t for him.”
