Outsports has learned that Major League Baseball will make an announcement Tuesday that will dramatically shift their ability to combat homophobia and help gay players, coaches and staff in the League. The announcement will be made in Minneapolis before the All-Star Game.
In the last three years, all six of the big pro sports leagues in the United States have taken positives steps toward ending homophobia. Baseball has been right there in the mix.
A year ago, MLB adopted a new workplace code of conduct that protects players and staff from anti-LGBT harassment. "We welcome all individuals regardless of sexual orientation into our ballparks, along with those of different races, religions, genders and national origins," MLB commissioner Bud Selig said at the time.
In 2011, MLB added sexual orientation to it’s non-discrimination policy as part of their labor deal with the players union.
The league took its first steps in this direction in 2000, fining and suspending Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker for anti-gay remarks he made in the offseason.