And while the NCAA Board of Governors, in April, warned states weighing anti-transgender athlete bills that they could lose their ability to host events, that threat seemed to be all bark and no bite. The Pac-12, in its Pride Month release, said that it is the first Power Five conference to go “all-in on inclusion” and that it will work with student-athletes to “ensure all members of this invisible minority community feel seen, heard and supported.”īut the Pac-12 is a part of the NCAA. The NFL’s new push for inclusion? Is that like a carbon offset for the millions its owners have poured into conservative candidates over the years, funds that have gone directly to those who work against LGBTQ issues? So, somewhere there’s a disconnect in buying a Pride-themed cap to represent the team while possibly contributing to the Giants’ coffers and therefore to Johnson’s asset portfolio. Johnson, according to reporting from last fall, accounted for 32% of all sports ownership donations to Republican causes since 2015.Īccording to the Giants, an unspecified “portion” of the proceeds from future cap sales will go to LGBTQ charities but the Giants will keep some.
Ross Cameron / Special to The Chronicleīut the principal owner of the Giants is Charles Johnson, a billionaire conservative donor who funds many politicians working hard to fight LGBTQ inclusion and equality. We represent the values of the San Francisco community, and the LGBTQ community is a huge part of that.” Confetti flies and the Trans and Gay Pride flags are raised at Oracle Park before a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Jin San Francisco, Calif. “Our history and work in this area speaks for itself. “It’s not like we all of a sudden jumped on the bandwagon,” said Staci Slaughter, the Giants executive vice president. The team has historical investment in issues of inclusion and is a leader in baseball (contrast that with the Texas Rangers, next week’s opponent, who remain stubbornly the only major-league team to never host a Pride event). Proceeds from Saturday’s game against the Cubs will go to SF Pride. The organization has taken a leadership role, dating to their “’Til There’s a Cure Day” for AIDS awareness at Candlestick Park and “It Gets Better” campaign a decade ago. I don’t find their Pride celebrations suspicious. In many ways that’s a good thing: It raises awareness and makes a positive statement.īut is there true conviction behind the multitude of rainbow flags? Or are they a cynical attempt to profit from a segment of the community that isn’t backed up by action? In American sports, as in much of corporate America, Pride Month seems to have become a box to check. The Pac-12 celebrated Pride Month by announcing a partnership with LGBT SportsSafe to help create “a culture of respect and inclusion.” The San Francisco Giants held a Pride Day on Saturday, becoming the first major-league team to wear Pride colors on their uniforms and will soon be selling the same on-field hats that the players wore. The NFL unveiled a “Pride” themed shield to show its “support and solidarity” with the LGBTQ community. Have you noticed a lot of rainbows in your sports world? Ross Cameron / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less Ross Cameron / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of3 Honey Mahogany sings the national anthem before the start of a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Jin San Francisco, Calif. Ross Cameron / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of3 San Francisco Giants sport special rainbow insignias on their uniforms and caps to celebrate Pride month during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Jin San Francisco, Calif. 1 of3 Players take the field past a ceremonial home plate at Oracle Park as the San Francisco Giants celebrate Pride month, before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Jin San Francisco, Calif.