The San Francisco Giants faced backlash following their ‘Pride Night’ event at Oracle Park during a game against the Chicago Cubs. The Giants provided players with special Pride caps to show support for LGBTQ+ Pride. However, not all players participated in the gesture. Pitcher Sam Hentges opted not to wear the Pride cap, and three other pitchers, including Landen Roupp and JT Brubaker, added Bible verses to theirs.

Arne Johnson, a longtime Giants fan and parent to LGBTQ children, expressed concern. Johnson, part of Rainbow Families Action, stated, ‘Every time that Landen Roupp, or one of these players, gets up on the mound, they’re going to have to think, ‘should I be cheering for this person?’ because they won’t cheer for me, and that’s an experience that goes beyond the boycott.’ He described the actions of the players as deeply hurtful.

Johnson remarked, ‘One night a year, we asked for the players to cheer for our children, and they couldn’t even manage that. To me, that is deeply offensive, and it’s something that nobody in the Bay Area should tolerate.’

The Giants issued a statement acknowledging the pain and anger caused by the players’ decisions, affirming their commitment to inclusion and creating a welcoming environment for all.

The San Francisco Giants stated, ‘We understand that the choices by individual players have caused pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community, and we are sorry for that. Those choices do not change our organization’s commitment to inclusion, belonging, and creating a welcoming environment for all.’

Despite this, Rainbow Families Action members found the statement lacking. They suggested via social media that Giants fans consider spending their money elsewhere until corrective actions are taken.

Although no formal boycott is underway, Johnson noted, ‘I would like for the Giants to offer to meet with families and members of the LGBT community and to promise to make substantial changes and educate their players and make a really substantial effort towards healing this hurt.’

KRON reached out to Major League Baseball regarding the players’ inscription on the caps, which violates league rules, but did not receive a response in time for publication.