Rafael McDonnell, an active member of the Resource Center, a prominent LGBTQ+ organization in the Dallas region, occasionally speaks to the Texas Rangers’ staff regarding diversity and inclusion. It is a role that McDonnell cherishes as a fan of the team.
The Resource Center, among other organizations, has been cited by Texas for its work when asked about their absence of a Pride Night, making the Rangers the only team in Major League Baseball without one for several years.
Related posts
McDonnell, a devoted fan of the Rangers for almost half a century, recently expressed his disappointment at the team’s lack of participation in Pride Month, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and rights observed in June. He attempted to establish a connection between his group and the beloved team.
McDonnell acknowledged that his relationship with the Rangers is intricate. Being a long-time fan, he has cherished memories of going to games with his grandfather at the old Arlington Stadium and listening to games on the radio in his backyard.
“After all these years, it still hurts me to see that this issue persists.”
McDonnell revealed that the thought of not attending the parade with his boyfriend crossed his mind due to the pain it would cause him. This was during the Rangers’ first World Series championship last fall. However, he eventually made the decision to attend the parade with his significant other.
About five years ago, the Rangers reached out to McDonnell, who serves as the communications and advocacy manager for the Resource Center, to collaborate on creating an inclusive policy, as stated by McDonnell.
The organization that originated from the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and advocates for marriage equality and transgender rights has benefited from the team’s initiative to send employees to volunteer for its programs.
McDonnell confirms that he has been in touch with the Rangers staff, but he cannot recall any conversations after the team’s triumphant five-game win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2020 Fall Classic.
McDonnell speculated that someone at a high level within the organization may be against the idea of a Pride Night, but the reasoning behind this opposition has not been made clear. He acknowledged that the Rangers have made efforts to contribute to the community, but he believes that the issue at hand is not significant enough to warrant such a stance.
Billy Bean, the MLB diversity officer who came out as gay after a six-year playing career, predicted that a Pride Night event would eventually take place at Globe Life Field, the retractable roof home of the Rangers, which will be the venue for next month’s All-Star Game. MLB declined to comment when questioned last week regarding the Rangers’ Pride Night status.
According to McDonnell and DeeJay Johannessen, who is the CEO of the HELP Center, an LGBTQ+ organization located in Tarrant County where the Rangers are based, they are optimistic that the Rangers will eventually hold a Pride Night, just like the other teams in MLB.
McDonnell and Johannessen both believe that new ownership may be necessary to bring about the changes needed for Pride’s success. Despite this, Johannessen has not yet reached out to majority owner Ray C. Davis to discuss the matter.
Johannessen stated that meeting with Mr. Davis to discuss the significance of the matter is something he would love to do. However, he does not believe it is currently a priority for Mr. Davis. “I have not because, quite honestly, that’s just not going to happen,” Johannessen expressed.
The Associated Press requested an interview with Davis, but the Rangers declined the request through a spokesperson.
A year later, the team released a statement that closely resembled their previous one. They listed the different organizations they have sponsored and reiterated their efforts to build an environment that is accepting, diverse, and supportive for their fans and employees.
The Texas Rangers have made a steadfast commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for both their fans and employees. They strive to uphold this promise not only in their ballpark during every game but also in all of their initiatives. The team’s dedication to having a positive impact on the community is evident through their various programs. They firmly believe in making everyone feel valued and included in the Rangers baseball experience.
Despite the Rangers’ position, Misty Lockhart, a resident near the stadium, still attends approximately 35 games annually. Lockhart, who is also a dedicated fan of the Dallas Stars, even attended the NHL team’s Pride Night held last March at the American Airlines Center located in downtown Dallas.
During the event, Lockhart sported a rainbow-colored, No. 91 Tyler Seguin Pride jersey that had been signed by the Dallas Stars forward and previously worn during warmups. The front of the jersey proudly displayed the Stars logo.
Lockhart doesn’t think that the Rangers are in danger of losing fans because of their stance on Pride, but she would like them to follow the example set by the Chicago Cubs in 2001 and fully embrace this aspect of MLB.
Lockhart expressed his concern regarding the Rangers’ decision not to participate in the event, despite MLB’s involvement. “I think if it were something where MLB said, ‘We’re not participating in this,’ but the MLB does participate in it. And the Rangers have chosen not to,” he stated. Lockhart emphasized that the Rangers’ active decision not to take part in the event is where he takes issue.
According to Lockhart, Pride Night is not a political matter, but she does recognize that if the Rangers had a stadium in downtown Dallas County, where most elected officials are Democrats, there would be greater scrutiny on the team. Tarrant County, which includes Arlington and Fort Worth, tends to be more conservative.
During a recent game attended with his son’s youth baseball team, Will Davis, a Rangers fan from Marble Falls, located approximately 200 miles southwest of the stadium in Central Texas, perceived the issue as political.
Davis believes that the decision to display political messages should be left to private organizations. He does not think that these organizations should be forced to display political messages if they do not want to. Davis sees events like this as an opportunity for people to come together as a state and enjoy themselves without being subjected to political agendas from either side. For him, it’s all about having a good time with friends and family and leaving politics out of it.
During a game in June, the Rangers honor Mexican heritage, while also dedicating nights throughout the season to other ethnic groups, such as Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, first responders, teachers, and the military. The team also acknowledges universities from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the state.
Johannessen noted that the absence is even more noticeable during those celebrations.
According to him, the focus should not be on the team’s winning or losing streak or championship titles. Rather, it should be about the Rangers’ ownership showing support for having a Pride Night.
Johannessen stated that some individuals may have strong personal beliefs that prevent them from participating in Pride Night. However, as advocates for the community, it is important to address this issue. The fact that the city of Arlington’s team is the only one without a Pride Night is a source of embarrassment. Despite respecting personal beliefs, it is crucial to support and celebrate diversity within the community.
In early June, the Rangers caught the attention of many when they swapped their website slogan from “Run it Back” to “Straight Up Texas”. Interestingly, the team had used the “Straight Up Texas” slogan in the past, but denied any connection to Pride Month for the sudden change.
The Rangers’ decision to not have a Pride Night has drawn a lot of attention on social media. This scrutiny highlights the fact that the Rangers are the only MLB team without such an event.
Johannessen shared that the Texas Rangers have expressed interest in collaborating with their organization to offer services and volunteers. Johannessen’s organization has been actively providing health services and other resources to the LGBTQ+ community for three decades. Although the collaboration has not been established yet, Johannessen suggested the idea of a Pride Night to the Texas Rangers when they inquired about ways to support their cause.
