The Texas Rangers have not hosted an event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in over two decades. And that’s not going to change this year.
As all 29 other teams across Major League Baseball prepare for their Pride celebrations to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, the Texas Rangers have continued their staunch refusal to host a similar celebration as they are the only team in the league with no plans to participate in a Pride celebration this year.
“Somehow, the Rangers have made giving away a rainbow fanny pack feel like a bigger impossibility than winning the [darn] World Series. Hopefully some day, we can hear Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel proclaim, ‘Ranger fans, you’re not dreaming’ about a PA announcement that ‘It is Pride Time in Texas,’” Outsports reported this week.
The Rangers have a history of refusing to honor the LGBTQ+ as it has been over two decades since they’ve hosted an event for the community. Back in 2003, the team did invite several LGBTQ+ groups to the ballpark, but it was not officially marketed as any specific promotion and was met with strong protests. The team has not hosted a similar event since.
Needless to say, while it may not necessarily be surprising that the Rangers are once again refusing to host a Pride celebration, people were still not happy about it.
At some point Globe Life will be the only park I haven't seen a game in…and it'll stay that way until this changes.
— Eddie Galvani (@eddiegalvani) May 29, 2024
Unsurprising @Rangers don't have one. Texas will never not suck.
— FootySF (@footysf) May 29, 2024
A guide to all @MLB teams Pride Month events. (not @Rangers) #PrideMonth https://t.co/ZmevUnlxbK
— Jessica Quiroli (@heelsonthefield) May 30, 2024
how did I know it was the Texas Rangers before I even read it? support the superior Texas team. #GoStros https://t.co/o19DGeGowe
— Taylor Barnett-Torabi (@taylor_atx) May 30, 2024
It's a Texas team…. https://t.co/wuq7eIGVUp
— Michael Wallace (@TigerMike83) May 29, 2024
How did I know it was the Texas Rangers even before I read the article. https://t.co/I35ZovdMq5
— EGW 🏳️🌈 (@rhettdc) May 30, 2024
Maybe one day it’ll change, but it won’t be this year.