The World Series champion San Francisco Giants on Wednesday became the first major league sports team to join the “It Gets Better Project“, in hopes of inspiring LGBT youth struggling with adversity and intolerance.

“We speak for the entire Giants organization when we say that there is no place in society for hatred and bullying against anyone,” said starting pitcher Barry Zito, in the video.

Giants’ players Matt Cain, Sergio Romo, Andres Torres, and hitting coach Hensley Muelens also take part in the video. Watch:

The video comes just weeks after Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell hurled homophobic remarks and threats at fans at a Giants home game against the Braves on April 24.

Following the incident, and other recent high profile displays of homophobia in professional sports, more than 6,500 Giants fans and concerned citizens signed a petition at Change.org, launched by San Francisco native Sean Chapin, urging the team to take a stand against anti-gay bullying and homophobia.

Seattle-based activist and author Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller launched the “It Gets Better Project” to provide support and encouragement to LGBT teens struggling with bullying and adversity, following a series of suicides last Fall among teens, many of whom were bullied for their perceived sexual orientation..

Tags: Bullying, California, Homophobia, It Gets Better, LGBT Youth, Major League Baseball, San Francisco, San Francisco Giants, Sports

Filed under: California