Dodgers Unveil Permanent Display for 2 Gay MLB Trailblazers on 13th Pride Night
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 6
Dodgers Unveil Permanent Display for 2 Gay MLB Trailblazers on 13th Pride Night
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 6
Summary
The Dodgers dedicated a permanent stadium display Friday to Glenn Burke and Billy Bean, with both families attending a ceremony before the Angels game at Dodger Stadium.
The wall under the left-field pavilion features Burke’s No. 3 and Bean’s No. 40 jerseys, photos and placards highlighting their careers and roles as the first two major leaguers to publicly say they were gay.
Burke came out in 1982 after retiring and died of AIDS complications in 1995 at 42; Bean revealed he was gay in 1999, later became MLB’s first inclusion ambassador, and died in 2024 at 60.
Billy Bean’s husband Greg Baker said the tribute mattered at a time when some organizations are trying to erase LGBTQ+ people, while adding that homophobia still helps explain why few pro athletes have come out.
As one team celebrates LGBTQ+ history, why do star athletes globally still call professional sports a “toxic” place for gay players?
He invented the high-five but was traded for being gay. What does his story reveal about homophobia in American sports?
Dodgers Unveil First Permanent LGBTQ+ Tribute Honoring Glenn Burke and Billy Bean at 13th Annual Pride Night (2026)
Overview
On June 5, 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a permanent LGBTQ+ display honoring Glenn Burke and Billy Bean, making it a highlight for their families and the entire community. This tribute was the centerpiece of the Dodgers’ vibrant Pride Night Party, which celebrated LGBTQ+ inclusion with music, special guests, and collaboration with the Christopher Street West Association. The event not only recognized the pioneering roles of Burke and Bean in baseball history but also showcased the Dodgers’ ongoing commitment to diversity and acceptance, setting a new standard for LGBTQ+ visibility in professional sports.