St Louis Cardinals’ Pride Night includes transgender Tassandra Crush throwing out the first pitch

One of America’s most beloved sports teams has invited a transgendered woman to throw out the first pitch during their highly promoted “Pride Night.”

The St. Louis Cardinals, in partnership with Pride St. Louis, will have Tassandra Crush to take the mound before their game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium. Pride St. Louis coronated Crush its “Queen of Pride” in 2017.

The Cardinals have previously hosted an unofficial “LGBT” night in conjunction with Just John Nightclub, a local gay bar.

photo Julyo based on work by Gilbert Baker, 1979 via wikimedia commons

On their website, the Cardinals promise that “A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Pride STL Scholarship, which is awarded annually to St. Louis area students. Come early and enjoy a pre-game performance in Riverview Corner by the Gateway Men’s Chorus.”

Gateway Men’s Chorus is a St. Louis-based, pro-homosexual organization founded in the late 1980s. It’s mission is to “affirm and promote gay culture and acceptance through excellence in musical performance and education.”

“Pride Night” is seen by some as a form of balance to the team’s decision to host former Cardinals great Lance Berkman at the organization’s Christian Day celebration last season.

Berkman was fiercely criticized by Pride St. Louis and others when in 2015 he publicly opposed a Texas transgender bathroom bill.