Dodgers Pride Night controversy, explained: Who Are The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence?

The Dodgers got into some controversy over a revoked invitation to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Here’s what to know.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made an announcement regarding their invitees to the annual Pride Night on Wednesday, which generated controversy. Here is everything you need to know about the incident.

The Dodgers invited, then uninvited a group to Pride Night

The Dodgers initially invited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to their Pride Night festivities, but later announced in a statement the group was no longer going to be welcomed at the event.

“This year, as part of a full night of programming, we invited a number of groups to join us. We are now aware that our inclusion of one group in particular — The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — in this year’s Pride Ngiht has been the source of some controversy.

“Given the strong feelings of people who have been offended by the sisters’ inclusion in our evening, and in an effort not to distract from the great benefits that we have seen over the years of Pride Night, we are deciding to remove them from this year’s group of honorees.”

Who was opposed to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence invite to Dodgers Pride Night?

Many Catholic leaders voiced concern over the group’s invitation to the event when it was initially announced.

Brian Burch had this to say, H/T Los Angeles Times. Burch president of CatholicVote:

"“No other religion would be treated this way — and if the Dodgers truly care about fighting bigotry and promoting inclusivity, they will retract their invite to this disgusting, offensive and dangerous hate group.”"

In the perspective of many Catholics, the group promotes its message by making fun of the Catholic faith. The group dresses up in drag and nun outfits, acting as something of a parody of sorts.

Over the years, the group has been critiqued for what some believe is appropriation. A member of the group took issue with that word, claiming that because the group borrows vernacular and attire from a powerful group instead of a marginalized one, it’s not as problematic as typical appropriation.

Who are the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the group the Dodgers uninvited to Pride Night?

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are, “a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns,” that, “use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.”

They also look to promote human rights, respect for diversity, and spiritual enlightenment, as their site claims.