Honor the Legacy of Glenn Burke, the first openly gay MLB player

The Issue

Glenn Burke was the first, of only two Major League Baseball players, to "come out" as gay. Burke also started the tradition of high-fiving players after they had just hit home runs.

Considering the significance of Glenn Burke being the first Major League Baseball player to come out, his legacy is comparable to that of Jackie Robinson. As baseball is our National Pastime, it is incredibly important that the Baseball Hall of Fame acknowledge and promote diversity within the sport itself.

Considering this, we ask that the Baseball Hall of Fame create a permanent exhibit to honor the legacy and memory of Glenn Burke.

“They can't ever say now that a gay man can't play in the majors, because I'm a gay man and I made it." - Glenn Burke

avatar of the starter
Jeremy RedlienPetition StarterPflag Oneonta/Otsego Chapter President, SUNY Oneonta Gender and Sexuality Resource Center Advisory Committee Community Liason, Author of the blog Queering the Closet.
This petition had 23,515 supporters

The Issue

Glenn Burke was the first, of only two Major League Baseball players, to "come out" as gay. Burke also started the tradition of high-fiving players after they had just hit home runs.

Considering the significance of Glenn Burke being the first Major League Baseball player to come out, his legacy is comparable to that of Jackie Robinson. As baseball is our National Pastime, it is incredibly important that the Baseball Hall of Fame acknowledge and promote diversity within the sport itself.

Considering this, we ask that the Baseball Hall of Fame create a permanent exhibit to honor the legacy and memory of Glenn Burke.

“They can't ever say now that a gay man can't play in the majors, because I'm a gay man and I made it." - Glenn Burke

avatar of the starter
Jeremy RedlienPetition StarterPflag Oneonta/Otsego Chapter President, SUNY Oneonta Gender and Sexuality Resource Center Advisory Committee Community Liason, Author of the blog Queering the Closet.

The Decision Makers

Baseball Hall of Fame
Baseball Hall of Fame
Jeff Idelson
Jeff Idelson
President, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
William E. Haase
William E. Haase
Senior Vice President
Bradford Horn
Bradford Horn
Senior Director, Communications and Education
Kenneth Meifert
Kenneth Meifert
Senior Director, Development

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on September 21, 2011