Billy Bean

The 25 year-old relief pitcher, who’s been out to fellow players since 2019, took advantage of his unexpected release from the organization to get personal.

The activism happening in baseball, on the corporate and individual level, sends a clear message to everyone in sports: do something more than change your logos or send social media posts.

The Giants locker room overwhelmingly supported the decision to incorporate the colors of the Progress Pride flag into their uniforms.

The first out pro baseball player was loved by his team, but was eventually traded away because he was gay.

The only ‘pride’ the most popular sports team in the city that gave birth to the modern LGBTQ rights movement have is in pinstripes, not a rainbow.

Leaving the game had nothing to do with his coming out. If anything, the pressure to be a positive role model for gay athletes inspired him to stick it out as long as he did.

Bean says it’s not the goal for baseball players to reveal their sexuality, but it’s important to provide a respectful workplace. Currently, there are no out active players in the NBA, NFL, NHL or MLB.

Billy Bean has been promoted to vice president for social responsibility and inclusion; Curtis Pride has also been added as an ambassador for inclusion.

Glenn Burke’s sister had a tough time even coming to the Oakland Coliseum for Athletics Pride Night. Her brother’s death remains painful 20 years later, but she knows how much it would have meant to Burke to be honored in his former ballpark as baseball’s first openly gay player.

Mets infielder Daniel Murphy says he disagrees with the “lifestyle” of former major leaguer Billy Bean and other people who identify as gay.