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Rays’ Pride Night extends team’s long support of LGBTQ community

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rainbow flags draped the corners of Tropicana Field on Friday.

A special “Rays” sign lit in rainbow colors sat above the RumFish Grill deck in left center field, and special Stonewall Riot exhibit from Equality Florida sat in the Budweiser Porch area.

Jane Castor, Tampa’s first openly gay mayor, threw out the first pitch.

The Rays saluted the LGTBQ community with Pride Night Friday, but unlike some franchises, the team’s commemorative night did not represent a new endeavor for the Rays. SB Nation reports that this is the first year every MLB team will feature a special recognition of the community, but it’s been a regular staple in Tampa Bay for many years.