LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have canceled an invitation to a satirical LGBTQIA+ group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to the team’s annual Pride Night after opposition from conservative Catholic groups.
The philanthropic, protesting and performing group was slated to receive the team’s Community Hero Award at a ceremony at the 10th Annual Event ahead of the June 16 game against the San Francisco Giants.
“Considering the strong feelings of those who have been offended by the sisters participating in our night, and not to turn a blind eye to the great benefits we have seen at Pride Nights over the years, I We have decided to exclude the sisters from this night’s “group of this year’s winners,” the Dodgers said in a statement Wednesday.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence first appeared in San Francisco’s Castro District in 1979 in the form of three men dressed as nuns. It was a quirky protest over local issues and LGBTQIA+ issues. Over the decades, however, it has grown into dozens of loosely organized chapters around the world engaged in charitable and protest activities.
The organization’s mission statement states that the non-profit organization is dedicated to “serving the community, ministry, helping those most marginalized, and promoting human rights, respect for diversity, and spiritual enlightenment.” it is written like this.
“We use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of prejudice, complacency and guilt that unite the human psyche,” the organization’s website says.
But opponents called on the Dodgers to reverse their decision to honor the group, saying it mocked the Catholic faith.
Senator Marco Rubio said in a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred that the sisters were doing a “vile imitation” of nuns.
“Do you believe the Los Angeles Dodgers are ‘tolerant and welcoming of everyone’ by awarding a group of gay and transgender drag performers who deliberately mock and demean Christians? “Are you living to serve others?” wrote the Florida Republican.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence said Thursday that the group is not anti-Catholic and that its members are angry and outraged by the Dodgers’ decision.
“The Dodgers surrendered in response to hateful and misleading information from people outside the community,” the group said.