New York Yankees baseball team announce LGBT scholarship program
The Yankees-Stonewall Scholars Initiative will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
American baseball team the New York Yankees have announced an LGBT scholarship program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
The Yankees came under fire this month for being one of the only two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams to not hold an LGBT Pride night this year.
However, the team revealed plans to celebrate their LGBT fans by announcing their Yankees-Stonewall Scholars Initiative which will provide five $10,000 college scholarships to one student from each of New York’s five boroughs next year.
According to reports, the scholarships will be awarded to “graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to equality and impactful support for the LGBTQ community”.
In a statement, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said: “The Yankees wholeheartedly support equality for all individuals and applaud any efforts which make our society more inclusive and tolerant.
“It is our hope that this scholarship program will serve as a springboard for young LGBTQ student community members and advocates as they continue the pursuit of their dreams, ambitions and livelihoods.”
A press release shared by the team revealed that recipients of the scholarships will be celebrated at “a game at Yankee Stadium during the Yankees’ homestand from June 17-26, 2019.”
The iconic team also revealed that they will hold a series of other LGBT-focused events throughout 2019, with more details to be revealed next year.
The Stonewall riots were a series of demonstrations by the LGBT community against police in 1969 that occurred at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan.