On a night meant to celebrate inclusivity, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw made a statement of his own. One not announced but written, quite literally, across his hat.
During the Dodgers’ Pride Night matchup against the San Francisco Giants, both teams wore rainbow-colored caps in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Kershaw, not pitching that night, remained in the dugout with a Bible verse—Genesis 9:12-16—scrawled on his rainbow Dodgers hat. The passage, which speaks of God’s covenant with man via the symbol of the rainbow, is widely seen by conservative Christian groups as reclaiming the rainbow from LGBTQ+ symbolism.
Kershaw has made no public comment about the inscription. Still, the message is clear for a lot of people on social media—and it’s the latest chapter in his complicated history with the Dodgers’ attempts at Pride inclusivity.
History Repeats Itself
This isn’t Kershaw’s first time quietly pushing back against the team’s LGBTQ+ efforts. In 2023, the Dodgers faced a firestorm after initially inviting, then disinviting, and finally reinviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence—a charity and performance group known for their drag nun personas—to Pride Night. Kershaw openly disagreed with the decision and lobbied the team to move up the announcement of “Christian Faith and Family Day.” An event that hadn’t been held since 2019.
At the time, Kershaw said, “This has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community or Pride… This is simply a group that was making fun of a religion that I don’t agree with.”
His stance drew support from some conservative circles and fellow players, including Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams. Still, it also sparked frustration from fans and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups who saw the response as undermining efforts to promote full inclusion.
Inclusion or Exclusion?
Now, in 2025, as the Dodgers double down on promoting a welcoming atmosphere at the ballpark for all fans, including an expanded Pride Night celebration, Kershaw’s gesture threatens to unravel the progress.
Unlike in 2023, this year’s Pride Night avoided direct controversy. Players wore the hats without drama, excluded the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and focused the night mainly on celebration. But Kershaw’s message—while subtle—reignited debate, especially on X.
The Dodgers represent a franchise deeply rooted in Los Angeles—a city whose culture intertwines with the history and activism of the LGBTQ+ community.
The team has, in recent years, positioned itself as one of Major League Baseball’s more progressive organizations in terms of inclusion. That image is now being challenged from within.
A Divide in the Dugout
Kershaw may frame his gesture as personal religious expression, but he made it during a major team event, raising questions about whether the Dodgers truly speak with one voice on inclusion or allow certain stars to send mixed signals.
Kershaw’s future with the team is unclear as he enters the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. With this situation, the Dodgers now face a PR dilemma. Do they address the growing internal divide or continue to promote Pride while sidestepping the actions of one of their most iconic players?
Dodgers’ Pitcher Sends Subtle Message During Pride Night