The Tampa Bay Rays were celebrating their 16th Pride Night
Several Major League Baseball players refused to wear a logo on their uniforms honouring LGBTQ+ pride month during their match last week.
The Tampa Bay Rays celebrated their 16th Pride Night with rainbow-patterned logos on their hats and uniforms to mark the occasion.
The club's president, Matt Silverman, said that the event allowed the team to 'extend an invitation' to the LGBTQ+ community, assuring they are 'invited, welcomed and celebrated'.
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However, five Rays players reportedly chose not to wear the logos on their kit - with Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brook Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson all opting to wear the usual uniform for their home game last Saturday (June 4).
Adam suggests it 'went against his religious belief'
While more than half of the squad took part in the Pride Night celebrations, the players who refused to put it down to going against their religious beliefs, as reported by the
Tampa Bay Times.
Jason Adam told the Tampa Bay Times: "So it's a hard decision. Because ultimately we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here.
"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 [Jesus] encourages me as a heterosexual male to abstain from sex outside of the confines of marriage.
"It's no different."
Despite this, Adam insisted that the decision was not a 'judgemental' one and that the players still wanted people from the community to feel 'safe and welcome' at the club and in the stadium.
Kevin Cash, manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, claimed the differing opinions between players did not create any division.
"I think what it has created is, like, what you’ve heard — a lot of conversation and valuing the different perspectives inside the clubhouse but really appreciating the community that we’re trying to support here," he said.
Rays show support for LGBTQ+ community
The Rays have also shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community by signing a brief to the US Supreme Court in favour of same-sex marriage.
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