'Pride Pack' Tickets From Detroit Tigers Supporting LGBT Community
Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Tigers are showing their support for the LGBT community.
The team is collaborating with the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce to offer a “Pride Pack” ticket package for the Aug. 22 game against the Chicago Cubs.
The “Pride Pack” ticket package includes a T-shirt, which has the Tigers’ logo on the front and a rainbow flag on the back, with the words, “Celebrating diversity of America’s favorite pastime.” A portion of the package price goes toward a donation to the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
The event is consistent with those of local universities and cultural groups which have become annual events at Comerica Park. It also represents a big step for the organization by publicly showing their support for the LGBT community.
“We salute the ongoing work of the Detroit LGBT Chamber and their commitment to business educational programming,” Ron Colangelo, Tigers vice president of communications, said. “The Tigers have historically partnered with diverse organizations and groups, and the Pride Pack ticket package is an opportunity for fans to support the fundraising efforts of the Detroit LGBT Chamber. Baseball embraces everyone and Comerica Park stands as a gathering place that brings our communities together.”
To date, the Tigers had yet to host a themed event for the LGBT community, either in a designated “Pride Night” or a special event ticket package. The vast majority of major league teams have hosted such events in the past.
Though the “Pride Pack” was not mandated by Major League Baseball, the league has made efforts creating awareness for clubs. Last month, MLB sponsored a float in New York City’s annual pride march, which included former player Billy Bean — who played for the Tigers from in 1988 — and umpire Dale Scott.
In each of the past three years, the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce has purchased a block of tickets for a game at Comerica Park, with portions of the proceeds going to a local fundraiser.
This year is the first time the organization will include a T-shirt as part of their fundraiser. Those T-shirts worn at Comerica Park in late August will serve as the Tigers’ strongest public statement on their support of the LGBT community.
Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.
Comments