Atlanta Braves to host final LGBT Night at Turner Field

A conservative Georgia congressman from the Augusta area launched a GOP policy meeting on May 26 by quoting a Bible passage that condemned homosexuality and said gays are “worthy of death.” The incident took place before the House chamber voted to reject a spending bill that included an amendment barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Georgia Rep. Rick W. Allen led the opening prayer by reading from Romans 1:1832, and Revelations 22:18-19, according to a report from CQ Roll Call. His comments were reportedly directed at fellow Republicans who backed the anti-discrimination proposal.

Allen, a freshman who won the GOP primary on May 24 and faces Democrat Patricia McCracken in November, has remained quiet on the matter so far and his Twitter feed shows only comments on Obamacare and Memorial Day since the incident. The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement calling the Georgia congressman’s comments “vile and dangerous” and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told The Hill, “House Republicans’ thirst to discriminate against the LGBT community is so strong that they are willing to vote down their own appropriations bill in order to prevent progress over bigotry.”

This is the final season the Atlanta Braves will play at Turner Field before moving to SunTrust Park in Cobb County, which means the final LGBT Night at the not-so-old ballpark. And this year, the team is stepping it up even more for the big game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, June 10.

Team officials have moved the pregame patio party from last year’s spot at the Top of the Chop to the Right Field Patio in anticipation of more folks being in attendance this year. Plus they’ve added a live performance from the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and are throwing in a fancy Pride-inspired commemorative Braves hat.

“We look forward to welcoming the LGBT community back to Turner Field this June for the sixth annual LGBT Night and know the night will once again be a huge success,” said Adam Zimmerman, vice president of marketing for the Atlanta Braves.

$5.00 from every ticket package purchased will go to LGBT homeless youth shelter Lost-n-Found Youth, and Friday Night Fireworks will follow after the game.