L.A. Dodgers Apologize, Reinvite the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to Pride Night

The Los Angeles Dodgers have apologized to the L.A. order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence about a week after announcing the group was uninvited to the team’s annual Pride Night on June 16, following conservative backlash at their inclusion.

“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 family,” the team said in a statement posted to social media.

The Dodgers added that the team had asked the sisters to be part of the night again and the sisters said they would participate after all.

“We are pleased to share that they have agreed to receive the gratitude of our collective communities for the lifesaving work that they have done tirelessly for decades,” the team said.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a group of drag queens, kings, and people, who dress in elaborate attire, usually imitating Catholic nuns. The first order started in San Francisco in the late 1970s, and orders have popped up across the U.S. The L.A. order, founded in 1995, has been involved in a variety of charity efforts and had been initially invited to the Pride Night to receive a community award.

However, a conservative backlash, including a letter from Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, ensued. Last week, the Dodgers announced that they would not have the sisters participate in the Pride Night.

The rejection of the satirical drag group came as several states are considering or have already passed legislation restricting drag performances.

The decision was widely condemned and organizations like L.A. Pride and the L.A. LGBT Center said they would no longer attend the event if the sisters were not allowed to join. The sisters said they were disappointed that they team had bowed to pressure from outside their community.

On Monday, however, the sisters said they were proud to now accept the Community Hero Award from the Dodgers for their 27 years of community service. The order explained that board members of the group met with the Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten, LGBTQ+ rights groups, and local government officials.

“A full apology and explanation was given to us by the Dodgers staff which we accept. We believe the apology is sincere because the Dodgers have worked for 10 years with our community and as well they have asked us to continue an ongoing relationship with them. In the future, if similar pressures from outside our community arise, our two organizations will consult and assist each other in responding, alongside our colleagues at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and others from the LGBTQIA2S community, now more closely tied with the LA Dodgers than ever before,” the sisters said.

The L.A. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence added that there was a silver lining to the ordeal.

“Our group has been strengthened, protected and uplifted to a position where we may now offer our message of hope and joy to far more people than before. With great love and respect, we thank each person and each organization that have spoken up for us. Thank you, and may your hearts be blessed with pure joy.”