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Outfielder and nine-year team veteran Kevin Keirmaier, who partook in wearing the LGBTQ+-themed uniforms and cap, said inclusivity was constantly taught to him in his upbringing. Rays officials described the one-night event as an 'opt-in' exercise and respect the difference in choices made by the players despite expressing that the preferred outcome would have been to have all the players onboard with the idea.
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Rays relief pitcher Brooks Raley also stood with a minority of the team that did not want to partake in the LGBTQ+ celebration in Saturday's loss 'Impressed that our players have had those conversions and we want to support our players that choose to wear or choose not to wear to the best of our capabilities.' 'First and foremost, I think the organization has done a really good thing to have Pride Night's supporting our gay community to come out and have a nice night at the ballpark,' Cash said. On Sunday, though, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash addressed some of his players' refusal to wear the Pride-themed uniforms, saying he doesn't think it will negatively impact the clubhouse because discussions among the players over past few weeks were constructive and emphasized the value of differing perspectives. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them, and we want them to feel safe and welcome here,' he concluded. It's just what we believe the lifestyle he's encouraged us to live, for our good, not to withhold. 'But when we put it on our bodies, I think a lot of guys decided that it's just a lifestyle that maybe - not that they look down on anybody or think differently - it's just that maybe we don't want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who's encouraged us to live a lifestyle that would abstain from that behavior, just like encourages me as a heterosexual male to abstain from sex outside of the confines of marriage. 'Because ultimately we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here. 'So it's a hard decision,' Adam told the Tampa Bay Times. Other fans wore rainbow flags during the Ray's Pride Night game on Saturday, which they lost 3-2 to the Chicago White Sox However, at least five players - pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson - did not agree to wear the pride colors, and instead appeared in Tampa's typical home uniform.Īdam, a reliever, said 'a lot of it comes down to faith, to like a faith-based decision.' Mini LGBTQ flags were additionally given out to fans, while the field's mount and the stadium's roof both displayed pride colors. Members of the LGBTQ community also took part in pregame activities organized by the MLB franchise. 'By doing this, we extend an invitation not just for this game but for all of our games that the LGBTQ+ community is invited, welcomed and celebrated.' 'Our Pride Nights continue to grow both in terms of visibility and participation,' Rays president Matt Silverman told the Tampa Bay Times. T he Rays added rainbow-colored logos to their caps and on the right sleeve of their jerseys for the club's 16th annual Pride Night celebration during Saturday's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Published: 23:33 BST, 5 June 2022 | Updated: 15:29 BST, 6 June 2022Īt least five Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms on Saturday as part of the team's annual 'Pride Night'. Last month, Florida Governor Ron De Santis refused to approve $35million in funding for the team's spring training site due to its stance on gun violenceīy Associated Press and Alastair Talbot For Dailymail.Com.The franchise has also invested in the 'It Gets Better' project to tackle youth bullying that targets LGBTQ+ minors in school.The Rays have long supported LGBTQ+ people, even signing an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage in 2015.Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team would stand 'to support our players that choose to wear or choose not to wear to the best of our capabilities'.At least five players refused to wear the uniforms for faith-based reasons.The Rays issued rainbow-colored uniforms and caps for Saturday's game against the Chicago White Sox.Five Tampa Bay Rays players refuse to wear uniforms with LGBTQ rainbow logos for Pride month citing their right to make a 'faith-based decision'