STORY UPDATE - The saga surrounding a group of self-described "queer and trans nuns" took another twist Monday when the Dodgers -- who earlier rescinded an invitation for the group to participate in the team's Pride Night -- publicly apologized to the organization and again invited the group to take part in the event.
There was no immediate comment from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, but the Dodgers indicated in a statement that the group's members "have agreed to receive the gratitude of our collective communities for the lifesaving work that they have done tirelessly for decades."
"After much thoughtful feedback from our diverse communities, honest conversations within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and generous discussions with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Los Angeles Dodgers would like to offer our sincerest apologies to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their friends and families," according to a team statement Monday afternoon.
" ... In the weeks ahead, we will continue to work with our LGBTQ+ partners to better educate ourselves, find ways to strengthen the ties that bind and use our platform to support all of our fans who make up the diversity of the Dodgers family."
The Sisters organization is expected to receive a Community Hero Award during the team's Pride Night event, honoring the group's efforts to promote human rights, diversity and "spiritual enlightenment."
The Dodgers came under fire from a host of LGBTQ advocacy groups and elected officials following its decision to rescind its original invitation for the group to take part in Pride Night activities at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles LGBT Center called on the team to cancel Pride Night altogether, while organizers of LA Pride said they would not be participating in the event.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center issued a statement Monday calling the team's reversal "a step in the write direction."
"Last week's debacle underscores the dangerous impact of political tactics by those who seek to stoke the flames of anti-LGBTQ bias at a time when our rights are under attack," the center's CEO, Joe Hollendoner, said. "We must continue to stand together as a community in defense of the rights and recognition of LGBTQ+ people in Los Angeles and beyond.
"The Center is filled with gratitude to our Los Angeles community, who mobilized to support the Sisters, all of which compelled the Dodgers to ultimately do right by LGBTQ+ people everywhere. We are proud to stand with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and will join them at Pride Night to honor their many important contributions to our movement. The Dodgers' course correction and the conversations we have had with the organization's leadership since last week demonstrates the version of allyship we have come to expect from the team over the years."
The Dodgers' decision last week to withdraw its invitation to the Sisters came after complaints were raised by several Catholic organizations and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, who said the group regularly disparaged Christians.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, accused the team of "rewarding anti-Catholicism" by honoring the group. Donohue said he wrote to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to protest the Dodgers' decision to honor the group.
Rubio also sent a complaint to Manfred, saying the group "mocks Christians through diabolical parodies of our faith."
The organization Catholic Vote also condemned the group's inclusion in the Dodgers' event. Its president, Brian Burch, issued a statement Wednesday hailing the team's decision to exclude the group, which he called "an anti-Catholic hate group known for their gross mockery of Catholic nuns."
The Sisters issued a statement last week expressing "deep offense" at being uninvited to the event, calling the decision a capitulation to "hateful and misleading information from people outside their community." The group insisted it is a nonprofit organization that "annually raises thousands of dollars to distribute to organizations supporting marginalized communities."
The Sisters' website describes the organization as "a leading-edge order of queer and trans nuns."
Meanwhile, over the weekend, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken invited the Sisters to be her guests at the Los Angeles Angels Pride Night at Angel Stadium on June 7.
"Pride should be inclusive and like many, I was disappointed in the Dodgers decision," Aitken wrote on social media.
On Monday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange criticized Aitken for extending the invitation.
"The decision to openly embrace a group whose demeaning behavior is anti-Catholic and anti-Christian is misguided and disrespectful to the sisters of the Catholic Church who minister in Orange County and selflessly dedicate their lives to God's underserved people," said Jarryd Gonzales, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.
"We cannot condone any actions that have historically shown such high levels of disregard for the sincerely held beliefs of the faithful."
STORY UPDATE - The Los Angeles Dodgers faced mounting criticism Thursday for the team's decision to withdraw an invitation it extended to a group dubbed The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to participate in the team's annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night.
The team's decision, announced Wednesday, came after complaints raised by several Catholic organizations and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, who said the group -- billed as an "order of queer and trans nuns" -- regularly disparaged Christians.
"This year, as part of a full night of programming, we invited a number of groups to join us," according to a statement issued by the team Wednesday. "We are now aware that our inclusion of one group in particular -- The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- in this year's Pride Night has been the source of some controversy.
"Given the strong feelings of people who have been offended by the sisters' inclusion in our evening, and in an effort not to distract from the great benefits that we have seen over the years of Pride Night, we are deciding to remove them from this year's group of honorees."
The group had been scheduled to receive a Community Hero Award at the team's June 16 Pride Night, honoring its efforts to promote human rights, diversity and "spiritual enlightenment."
The Sisters issued a statement Thursday expressing "deep offense" at being uninvited to the event, calling the decision a capitulation to "hateful and misleading information from people outside their community." The group insisted it is a nonprofit organization that "annually raises thousands of dollars to distribute to organizations supporting marginalized communities."
"Our ministry is real. We promulgate universal joy, expiate stigmatic guilt and our use of religious trappings is a response to those faiths whose members would condemn us and seek to strip away the rights of marginalized communities," Sister Rosie Partridge, described as the "abbess" of the group, said in a statement.
Other high-profile Southland supporters of LGBTQ rights also chimed in, expressing disappointment in the Dodgers' decision.
"We call on the Dodgers to reconsider their decision, honor the Sisters, and bring the true spirit of Pride back to Dodgers Stadium," Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner said in a statement. "If the decision is not reversed, we strongly encourage the Dodgers to cancel Pride Night. Any organization that turns its back on LGBTQ+ people at this damning and dangerous inflection point in our nation's history should not be hoisting a rainbow flag or hosting a `Pride Night.'
"We want the Dodgers ally ship to be consistent with our experience partnering with them over the past many years. The people of Los Angeles County have consistently and overwhelmingly shown up for LGBTQ+ equality. If one of our most beloved institutions -- the Dodgers -- refuses to stand by us at this moment, we are terrified of what will come next. Los Angeles is a leader -- not a follower. We call on the Dodgers to set an example."
The organizers of LA Pride issued a statement saying they "are very disappointed" in the Dodgers' decision.
"As a result and in solidarity with our community, LA Pride will not be participating in this year's Dodgers Pride Night event," according to the group. "Pride is a fight for equality and inclusion for the entire LGBTQ+ community and we're not going to stop now. Let's make this year's Pride celebration louder than ever."
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, wrote on his Twitter page, "Hey Dodgers, this is shameful and you will not divide and separate our community. I hope we all boycott your `Pride Night' and protest this cowardly decision."
The Sisters' website describes the organization as "a leading-edge order of queer and trans nuns."
"We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit," the group says.
The Dodgers' original decision to honor the group drew criticism from various Catholic organizations. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, accused the team of "rewarding anti-Catholicism" by honoring the group.
"The Catholic League has been the leading critic of this bigoted organization for many decades," Donohue wrote on the organization's website. "... These homosexual bigots are known for simulating sodomy while dressed as nuns."
He added, "Just last month, they held an event mocking our Blessed Mother and Jesus on Easter Sunday."
Donohue said he wrote to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to protest the Dodgers' decision to honor the group.
Rubio also sent a complaint to Manfred, saying the group "mocks Christians through diabolical parodies of our faith."
"Do you believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are being `inclusive and welcoming to everyone' by giving an award to a group of gay and transgender drag performers that intentionally mocks and degrades Christians -- and not only Christians, but nuns, who devote their lives to serving others?" Rubio wrote in his letter.
The organization Catholic Vote also condemned the group's inclusion in the Dodgers' event. Its president, Brian Burch, issued a statement Wednesday hailing the team's decision to exclude the group, which he called "an anti-Catholic hate group known for their gross mockery of Catholic nuns."
"While we continue to wonder how such a group was selected in the first place, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all religious believers: unchecked woke corporations have no qualms about exploiting people of faith," Burch said.
On Wednesday night, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath blasted the team for dis-inviting the Sisters.
"If they're not invited, I'm not going," she wrote on her Twitter page. "Celebrating Pride is about inclusion. Do better."
Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Santa Monica and a longtime LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate, also condemned the exclusion of the Sisters.
"I'm deeply saddened by the hate & ignorance perpetuated by leaders of other states for cheap political points, & I am truly disappointed that our beloved LA Dodgers have given into their manufactured outrage," Zbur wrote on Twitter. "LGBTQ+ lives, families, love & existence have long been characterized as offensive & controversial, but we do not give in to those calls. I urge the Dodgers to reverse this decision & ensure our home team reflects the true Los Angeles values of inclusion & acceptance."
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LOS ANGELES - Following criticism from various Catholic groups and even a U.S. senator, the Dodgers Wednesday withdrew an invitation the team had extended to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- described on its website as an "order of queer and trans nuns" -- to participate in the team's annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night.
"This year, as part of a full night of programming, we invited a number of groups to join us," according to a statement issued by the team Wednesday. "We are now aware that our inclusion of one group in particular -- The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- in this year's Pride Night has been the source of some controversy.
"Given the strong feelings of people who have been offended by the sisters' inclusion in our evening, and in an effort not to distract from the great benefits that we have seen over the years of Pride Night, we are deciding to remove them from this year's group of honorees."
The group had been scheduled to receive a Community Hero Award at the team's June 16 Pride Night, honoring its efforts to promote human rights, diversity and "spiritual enlightenment."
The Sisters' website describes the organization as "a leading-edge order of queer and trans nuns."
"We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit," the group says.
Responding to the Dodgers' announcement Wednesday, one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's most veteran and visible members, known as Sister Roma, said the team was giving in to "right-wing pseudo-Christian media."
"So disappointing to see the Dodgers cave to the conservative pseudo- Christian homophobes," Sister Roma wrote on Twitter. "This weaponizing of religion is exactly what the (Sisters) have been protesting for decades."
The Dodgers' original decision to honor the group drew criticism from various Catholic organizations. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, accused the team of "rewarding anti-Catholicism" by honoring the group.
"The Catholic League has been the leading critic of this bigoted organization for many decades," Donohue wrote on the organization's website. "... These homosexual bigots are known for simulating sodomy while dressed as nuns."
He added, "Just last month, they held an event mocking our Blessed Mother and Jesus on Easter Sunday."
Donohue said he wrote to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to protest the Dodgers' decision to honor the group.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, also sent a complaint to Manfred, saying the group "mocks Christians through diabolical parodies of our faith."
"Do you believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are being `inclusive and welcoming to everyone' by giving an award to a group of gay and transgender drag performers that intentionally mocks and degrades Christians -- and not only Christians, but nuns, who devote their lives to serving others?" Rubio wrote in his letter.
The organization Catholic Vote also condemned the move. Its president, Brian Burch, issued a statement Wednesday hailing the team's decision to exclude the group, which he called "an anti-Catholic hate group known for their gross mockery of Catholic nuns."
"While we continue to wonder how such a group was selected in the first place, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all religious believers: unchecked woke corporations have no qualms about exploiting people of faith," Burch said.
But the team's decision to dis-invite the group also generated criticism.
"If they're not invited, I'm not going," Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath wrote on her Twitter page. "Celebrating Pride is about inclusion. Do better."