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The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again teaming up with long-time non-profit partner LA Pride, for the 10-year anniversary of its LGBT Pride night. The event aims to promote unity and inclusion with several LGBT organizations invited to attend, but not at the expense of a particular group --- The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Also known as the Order of Perpetual Indulgence, the bold LGBT organization dictates itself as the "leading-edge order of queer and trans nuns." The group was first unveiled on Easter Sunday 1979 in San Francisco, California.
"We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty", the group states on its website.
Initially, the LA Dodgers extended an invitation along with its intentions to honor the 40-year-running organization with a "Community Hero Award" at June 16th's event. In the wake of both religious and political pressure, the Dodgers were ultimately swayed into closing their open arms.
"Given the strong feelings of people of have been offended by the sisters' inclusion in our evening, and in an effort not to distract from the great benefits we have seen over the years of Pride Night, we are deciding to remove them from this year's group of honorees", the Dodgers said in a statement on Wednesday.
Florida State Senator Marco Rubio surpassed the Dodgers and went straight to the man, sending a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, asserting that the group perverts Christ and mocks nuns.
"Do you believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are being “inclusive and welcoming to everyone” by giving an award to a group of gay and transgender drag performers that intentionally mocks and degrades Christians—and not only Christians, but nuns, who devote their lives to serving others," Rubio asked.
"Do you believe such an award is “apolitical”? Do you believe it is a sound business decision, in a city with more than four million Catholics and countless other people of faith?"
Bill Donohue, President of The Catholic also weighed in on Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence unorthodox representation of religious figures.
"The Catholic League has been the leading critic of this bigoted organization for many decades," Donohue said. "Just last month they held an event mocking our blessed Mother and Jesus on Easter Sunday."
Sister Roma of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence spoke out via Twitter in response to Dodger's revoked invitation.
"So disappointing to see the Dodgers cave to the conservative pseudo-Christian homophobes", she tweeted.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence responded formally on their website, remaining committed to their service within Los Angles despite the recent controversy.
"Our work speaks for us. We do not serve to receive awards or accolades. We are grateful and proud when other organizations choose to acknowledge our service, yet our own focus remains on the work of removing suffering and promulgating joy. While we may no longer appear on Dodgers Pride Night we will be out on the streets of Los Angeles continuing to serve and uplift our community."
The Los Angeles Dodger Pride Night is set to take place on June 16.
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