The Seattle Mariners are honoring June gay pride month by flying a rainbow flag during Sunday's game at Safeco Field against the Chicago Cubs. The flag is being flown the same day as Seattle's pride parade.
"We're part of this community. Our fans are a reflection of our community. We thought this was an appropriate gesture on a day that is very meaningful to the LGBT community," said Rebecca Hale, Mariners director of public information.
This is the first time a Major League Baseball team is flying the pride flag, and I don't recall it being done in any of the other pro sports leagues. It is also fitting that it is coming against the Cubs, whose co-owner Laura Ricketts is openly lesbian.
In 2011, the Mariners teamed with other Seattle pro sports teams to produce a video for the It Gets Better campaign.
Update: Already getting some pushback that other MLB teams have had gay days. That has been happening for years, but the flying of the pride flag by a team appears to be a first and is noteworthy. If this is not accurate, please post details in the comments.
