LGBT White Sox Fans Use Video to Teach the Real Meaning of Sports

When the Chicago White Sox and Equality Illinois co-presented an LGBT night in August for fans, the reaction on social media was strident.

"LGBT Pride Night: Out at the Sox," an evening intended to embrace LGBT fans and allies at U.S. Cellular Field, turned out to be an opportunity for some to post a slew of negative comments on the night's official Facebook event page. Some wanted to know when "straight white male night" is coming, while others voiced downright bigotry. Still, the evening took place on August 16 with no reported issues.

In response to the pre-event haters, Chicago-based director Sam Ciaramitaro has released his short film, "Take me OUT to the Ballpark," a profile of five LGBT White Sox fans or allied fans.

The video is a call for inclusion, both throughout Chicago and in the stands. It features iconic Chicago images like the famous Chicago Marathon and the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, juxtaposed with rainbow flags.

In addition to the imagery of inclusion, the people in the video candidly speak about what the White Sox mean to them and their right to cheer on the team (which did not make the postseason) and celebrate their differences as fans. "I was raised a White Sox fan," one young man says. "I'm always going to be a White Sox fan; and this is the best White Sox fan I know how to be! I'm a gay White Sox fan! I'm also just a White Sox fan; I'm also just a gay guy!"