Yanks will (finally) hold Pride Night
The Yankees plan to honor the LGBTQ community next season after drawing heat earlier this year for becoming the only team that hasn't hosted or announced a Pride Night.
On Friday, the team introduced its new Yankees-Stonewall Scholars Initiative, through which it will provide scholarships to five graduating seniors in New York who have made an impact with their support of the LGBTQ community.
The program serves as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising.
“Through this initiative we are proud to recognize the profound historical impact of Stonewall and celebrate the many meaningful contributions of the LGBTQ community,” Hal Steinbrenner, the team's managing general partner, said in a statement Friday.
“The Yankees wholeheartedly support equality for all individuals and applaud any efforts which make our society more inclusive and tolerant,” he continued. “It is our hope that this scholarship program will serve as a springboard for young LGBTQ student community members and advocates as they continue the pursuit of their dreams, ambitions and livelihoods.”
June 28, 2019 marks the 50year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which many view as a breakthrough moment in the movement for equality. The uprising consisted of demonstrations by members of the gay community following a police raid at the West Village's Stonewall Inn.
The Yankees said they'll give $10,000 scholarships to each of the new initiative's five recipients, who will be honored at Yankee Stadium during their June 1726 homestand next season. Recipients will be selected by the New York City of Education, with one student from each of the five boroughs being chosen.
The team also plans to host additional “LGBTQ communitythemed commemorations” in 2019, but further details won't be announced until during the season.
In July, the Los Angeles Angels announced their plans to have a Pride Night at their stadium in 2019. Each of the other MLB teams besides the Yankees have already hosted one at some point.