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A16 sports
Tuesday 25 June 2024
The Texas Rangers are frustrating LGBTQ+ advocates as the only

MLB team without a Pride Night

By SCHUYLER DIXON miles southwest of the stadi-
AP Sports Writer um in Central Texas — does
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — see it as a political issue. He
Rafael McDonnell some- attended a recent game
times gets to address the with his son's youth baseball
staff of his beloved Texas team.
Rangers on issues of diver- "I think it's a private organiza-
sity and inclusion through tion. And if they don't want
his role with the Resource to have it, I don't think they
Center, one of the leading should be forced to have it,"
LGBTQ+ organizations in the Davis said. "In something like
Dallas area. this, this is a way for people to
For several years, the Rang- go as a state. We don't want
ers have been the only Ma- the political stuff shoved
jor League Baseball team down our throats one way or
without a Pride Night. When the other, left or right. We're
questioned about it, Texas coming out here to have a
has cited its work with the good time with friends or
Resource Center, among family and let it be."
other organizations. The Rangers celebrate
As Pride Month — the June Mexican heritage during
celebration of LGBTQ+ cul- a game in June and also
ture and rights — comes have nights throughout the
and goes again without Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll walks past the Diamondbacks logo designed for Pride season dedicated to other
the Rangers participating, Night during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, ethnic groups along with Boy
June 14, 2024, in Phoenix.
McDonnell tried to explain Associated Press Scouts/Girl Scouts, first re-
the connection between his sponders, teachers and the
group and the team he has since the five-game victory requested to speak with ma- at the American Airlines military. The team recognizes
loved and watched for the over the Arizona Diamond- jority owner Ray C. Davis to Center in downtown Dallas. universities from around the
better part of 50 years."It's a backs in last year's Fall Clas- discuss Pride. Lockhart was wearing a No. Dallas-Fort Worth area and
complicated relationship," sic. "I have not because, quite 91 Tyler Seguin Pride jersey the state.
McDonnell said. "As some- "For a long time, I've thought honestly, that's just not going that had been worn dur- Those celebrations make
one who grew up watching that it might be somebody to happen," Johannessen ing warmups in a previous the absence more glaring,
the Rangers, as someone very high up in the organi- said. "I'd love to meet with year and was signed by the Johannessen said.
who has gone to games zation who is opposed to Mr. Davis and talk about why Stars forward. The Stars logo "I think that the issue here
since the 1970s, some of my this for some reason that is it's important. But I don't think on the front was in rainbow is not whether they are los-
biggest and best memories not clearly articulated," Mc- that's on his priority list right colors. ing every game or whether
are going to games at the Donnell said. "To say that the now." While she doesn't believe they are World Series cham-
old Arlington Stadium with Rangers aren't doing any- Through a spokesman, the the Rangers risk losing fans pions," he said. "It's a matter
my late grandfather and thing for the community, Rangers declined a request over their stance on Pride, of whether or not having a
listening to games on the well, they have. But the hill by The Associated Press to Lockhart would prefer the Pride Night is something that
radio in his backyard. that they are choosing to interview Davis. Rangers complete the MLB the ownership of the Rangers
"It pains me that this remains stake themselves out on is The team issued a statement picture on something that is supportive of.
an issue (after) all these no Pride Night." similar to one from a year is believed to have started "There may be deeply held
years." Several years ago, MLB di- ago, listing various organi- with the Chicago Cubs in beliefs of why they don't
Painful enough, McDonnell versity officer Billy Bean, who zations they have sponsored 2001. want to do that," Johan-
said, that he considered came out as gay after a six- and steps they have taken "I think if it were something nessen said. "And, we're
not attending the parade year playing career, said internally to "create a wel- where MLB said, 'We're not very respectful of that, but
with his boyfriend when the he believed a Pride Night coming, inclusive, and sup- participating in this,' but the also have to advocate for
Rangers celebrated their first eventually would come to portive environment for fans MLB does participate in it. our community. Because it's
World Series championship Globe Life Field, the Rang- and employees." And the Rangers have cho- kind of an embarrassment to
last fall. Ultimately, he de- ers' retractable roof home "Our longstanding commit- sen not to," Lockhart said. "I the city of Arlington that their
cided to go. that will host next month's ment remains the same: To think that's where I take the team is the only one that
McDonnell, the communica- All-Star Game. MLB did not make everyone feel wel- bigger issue, is they have doesn't have a Pride Night."
tions and advocacy manag- have comment when asked come and included in Rang- actively chosen not to par- The Rangers raised eyebrows
er for the Resource Center, last week about the Rangers' ers baseball — in our ball- ticipate in it." when the slogan on the
says the Rangers invited his Pride Night status. park, at every game, and Lockhart says she doesn't home page of their website
group to help them develop McDonnell and DeeJay Jo- in all we do — for both our see Pride Night as a politi- changed to "Straight Up Tex-
a policy of inclusion about hannessen — chief execu- fans and our employees," cal issue, but acknowledges as" from "Run it Back" some-
five years ago. tive of the HELP Center, an the team said. "We deliver there would be more pres- time around June 1. The
The team has sent employ- LGBTQ+ organization based on that promise across our sure on the Rangers if they team has used the "Straight
ees to volunteer for pro- in Tarrant County, where the many programs to have a had a downtown stadium in Up Texas" slogan in previous
grams in an organization Rangers play — also say they positive impact across our the heart of Dallas County, years, and said the change
that grew out of the AIDS believe the Rangers some entire community." where the majority of elect- had nothing to do with Pride
crisis in the 1980s and advo- day will join the rest of MLB The Rangers' stance doesn't ed officials are Democrats. Month.
cates for marriage equality with a Pride Night. keep Misty Lockhart, who Tarrant County, home to Still, the attention the
and transgender rights. At the same time, McDonnell lives near the ballpark, from Arlington and Fort Worth, is change received on social
While he has continuing con- and Johannessen say the attending about 35 games a generally more conversa- media illustrated the scrutiny
versations with members of catalyst for change might year. Also a big Dallas Stars tive. the Rangers have invited as
the Rangers staff, McDonnell have to be new ownership. fan, she was at the NHL Will Davis — a Rangers fan the only MLB team without
says he doesn't recall any Johannessen said he hasn't team's Pride Night in March from Marble Falls, about 200 a Pride Night.q