Another pitcher has joined the ranks of those upset about the Dodgers’ handling of their Pride Night.
Nationals right-hander — and former Met — Trevor Williams voiced his displeasure of the Dodgers’ re-invitation to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a queer and trans group that uses religious imagery and mocks Catholicism to call attention to sexual intolerance.
The group was initially invited, uninvited and then re-invited by the Dodgers to their LGBTQ+ event.
Williams took to Twitter, where he wrote he was “deeply troubled” by Los Angeles’ decision to honor the group.
The hurler slammed the group because of how it treats the Catholic faith.
“As a devout Catholic, I am deeply troubled by the Dodgers’ decision to re-invite and honor the group ‘The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ at their Pride Night this year,” Williams said.
“A Major League Baseball game is a place where people from all walks of life should feel welcomed, something I greatly respect and support. This is the purpose of different themed nights hosted by the organization, including Pride Night.
“To invite and honor a group that makes a blatant and deeply offensive mockery of my religion, and the religion of over 4 million people in Los Angeles county alone, undermines the values of respect and inclusivity that should be upheld by any organization.”
Williams added that he believes the Dodgers should re-think their decision, not only because of the group’s mocking of the Catholic Church, but that the team is violating its discrimination policy.
The 31-year-old was not the only pitcher who expressed his “frustration” with the event, as Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw has noted his dismay.
On the flip side, Kershaw publicized the team would re-launch its “Christian Faith and Family Day.”
“I think we were always going to do Christian Faith Day this year, but I think the timing of our announcement was sped up,” Kershaw said to the Los Angeles Times. “Picking a date and doing those different things was part of it as well.
“Yes, it was in response to the highlighting of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.”
After the Dodgers rescinded their offer to invite the group, LGBTQ+ groups slammed the decision, and LA Pride said they would not participate in the team’s Pride Night.
On May 22, the organization re-invited the Sisters and lauded their “lifesaving work” in a statement.
Williams, who came to the Mets in the deal that also shipped Javier Baez to New York at the trade deadline in 2021 and is now with Washington, implored that the Dodgers re-think their approval of the Sisters.
“I believe it is essential for the Dodgers to reconsider their association with this group and strive to create an inclusive environment that does not demean or disrespect the religious beliefs of any fan or employee.”
