Sacramento, CA — In response to the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to disinvite the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to their Pride Night, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-West Hollywood/Santa Monica) issued the following statement:
"I am appalled by the decision of the Los Angeles Dodgers to disinvite The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their so-called Pride Night. Many companies and organizations claim to be allies of the LGBTQ+ community, but there is a difference between being a true friend willing to stand up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people when we are under attack and engaging in marketing during Pride that is essentially pinkwashing to sell merchandise and make a profit.
Right-wing politicians like Marco Rubio and Governor Ron Desantis are using misinformation, hate and fear to prey upon the lives of LGBTQ+ people and transgender kids for their own political gain. To be clear, the only controversy that exists is the one being manufactured by these extremists. We cannot allow right-wing politicians to prey on hate and disinformation for political gain or dictate to Corporate America to exclude people from diversity and inclusion programs during Pride celebrations.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are not mocking a faith. This is a non-profit group of activists and performers who raise money and awareness for life and death causes like HIV/AIDS, addiction, and cancer research.
It's unacceptable that the Dodgers have capitulated to the hate agenda of these out-of-state right wing bigots, and I call upon them to reverse this decision immediately. I will not be attending Pride Night, and unless this decision is reversed, I urge the Dodgers to cancel it and reflect upon and repair the damage they have caused with this misguided action. It's not appropriate for the Dodgers to conduct a Pride celebration that benefits them when they are complicit in an attack on the LGBTQ+ community.
Our home team should reflect the true Los Angeles and California values of inclusion, respect, and acceptance, not the agenda of hate and division from politicians engaging in calculated strategies to demonize LGBTQ+ people individuals thousands of miles away.
To Senator Rubio, Governor Ron Desantis and the other MAGA activists: you have done enough to hurt and degrade the LGBTQ+ community in your own state. Stay the hell out of ours!"
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes the cities of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica.
CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, Vienna.Montague@asm.ca.gov