The Philadelphia Phillies will host their inaugural Pride Night this month as an official event of the team, meaning it will be listed on the public calendar with all the other theme nights.
For the past 13 years, the group Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia has brought people to baseball games for Gay Community Nights. While the event was hosted by an entity outside the team, it could not be listed on the calendar.
Larry Felzer, a board member of GALLOP, said he had encouraged the Phillies to take the reins on a night for LGBT fans for the past year or two.
“It will help more people know about it, even people who aren’t LGBT,” Felzer said. “It greatly increases the visibility for the night.”
The game takes place at 7:05 p.m. Aug. 29 at Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way. The Phillies will face the Washington Nationals. Tickets cost $16-$43, depending on seat location. The first 1,000 fans to purchase tickets through the promotion will receive a voucher for a rainbow Phillies t-shirt.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Colleen Mogee, a season and group-sales representative with the Phillies. “It’s something great we’re finally able to do officially. It’s a really great message the Phillies can send.”
Fewer than 10 other Major League Baseball teams have an LGBT-themed game.
Billy Bean, an openly gay former outfielder and the league’s first Ambassador for Inclusion, will throw out the first pitch at the Phillies’ Pride Night. He will also speak to the team’s front office before the game about his experience as a gay athlete and ways to improve inclusion.
The scoreboard will recognize Philadelphia’s LGBT community during the second and sixth innings, while a rainbow flag will fly under the American flag throughout the game. The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will sing either “The Star-Spangled Banner” or “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Mogee said the Phillies are working to confirm the details.
“I think it says a lot,” Felzer said of the team organizing Pride Night. “Things have really changed a lot for the better.”
Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle during the game will benefit the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which successfully sued the state two years ago to win marriage equality.
To purchase tickets, visit mlb.mlb.com/phi/ticketing/theme/pride.jsp and use the code PRIDE, or call Colleen Mogee at 215-463-5000.