TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!  Ah, Gay Baseball! Don't ya love it?!

In recent years, a growing number of Major League Baseball teams have hosted gay and lesbian community events or groups, including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays. Additionally, teams such as the San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles, have hosted AIDS Awareness Days which raised money for AIDS organizations.

Although only a couple of former MLB players (Glenn Burke and Billy Bean) and one umpire (Dave Pallone) have come out as gay, homosexuality is a hot button issue in baseball and anti-gay slurs are still around.

Encouragingly, though, some players have acknowledged that there are likely gay players and, in a survey (Tribune Company, 2004), 74% said they would have "no problem" playing with a gay teammate.

Gaybaseballdays.com hopes to raise awareness of gay and lesbian community days with MLB teams, and encourage other teams to recognize their gay and lesbian fan base.

"We encourage individuals and community organizations to work with their local teams in organizing these events."

Here in Chicago, our gay day "Out at the Ballgame" takes place Sunday July 27th @ 1:20 in the afternoon. The Chicago Cubs play the Florida Mariners. VERY FEW tickets are available - check online at the FREE PRESS.


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