Op-Ed: Marcus Stroman Exemplifies Allyship

By: Zachary Draves

For every Anthony Bass, Trevor Williams, and Clayton Kershaw, there is a Marcus Stroman.

In light of the recent anti-LGBTQIA+ statements made by those three pitchers, it was more than refreshing to see the Chicago Cubs right hander metaphorically charge off the mound, step up to the plate, and knock one out of the park for equality.

To commemorate the official start of Pride Month on Thursday, Stroman tweeted out “Happy Pride Month! We should always be accepting of those who take pride in who they are. Love is love no matter what.”

Short, sweet, and rigth on the money.

The tweet also captured two images of him wearing a shirt that reads “Love is Love” from last year’s Pride Night game when he was pitching for the New York Mets.

Happy Pride Month! We should always be accepting of those who take pride in who they are. Love is love no matter what! pic.twitter.com/jG8goRpE6v

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 1, 2023

Then to make matters even better, he backed his words with action. He shared in a later tweet that he was donating money to three LGBTQIA+ organizations in the three different cities where he pitched.

Love is love! #PrideMonth @BraveSpaceChi @HetrickMartin @The519 pic.twitter.com/tV3O4QgQui

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 1, 2023

Brave Space Alliance is the first ever Black-led and Trans-led LGBTQ+ non profit on Chicago’s South Side that provides culturally competent resources in the areas of employment, housing, food, and health and wellness. The Hetrick-Martin Institute based in New York City provides social services and youth development programs for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-24. The 519 organization in Toronto offers LGBTQIA+ counseling and family resources.

Stroman demonstrated in one day what it means to be a prominent straight cisgender ally to a community that is currently feeling the brunt of far right-wing stigmatization and marginalization. It isn’t enough to say that you are an ally, you have to show that you are an ally and he did both.

(Courtesy: David Banks/USA TODAY Sports)

But this is nothing new to Stroman who has always been consistent on matters of social justice.

In 2020, he spoke openly about his experience with racial profiling after the murder of George Floyd and has since regularly used his social media platform to call attention to racial injustice. That same year he joined a group of fellow Mets and Atlanta Braves players in wearing t-shirts that read “Black Lives Matter” before their opening day matchup.

(Courtesy: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network)

His support for the LGBTQIA+ community dates back as far as 2021 when he wore a Mets cap with a rainbow logo during a postgame press conference.

In response to Bass’s comments, he tweeted out on Wednesday in reference to his former team the Blue Jays that “none of his teammates or staff want him in their locker room”.

None of his teammates or staff want him in their locker room.

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 31, 2023

It is safe to say that Marcus Storman is a man who doesn’t beat around the bush. He has shown himself to be a man who walks the walk and makes no apologies in standing up for what is right and just. That plus his superb start to this season, which included a complete game shoutout against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, makes him one of the most exiting players in the game with rumblings of potential all-star selection already in the ether.

It also helps that he is playing in Wrigleyville which is adjacent from Boystown, one of the most lively LGBTQIA+ neighborhoods in the country and have some of the most loyal Cubs fans.

MLB should take note and utilize him as a model for what the game can be in terms of inclusion. He can help to facilitate a welcoming space both on and off the field where players present and future will feel supported and validated to be their authentic selves. If anything he is letting it be known that he will go to bat for those who feel left behind.

That is exactly what is needed at this time with the great American pastime.