Why would the team honor a group that mocks Catholics?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a pickle. It started with a bad call by the front office to honor a group called the Sisters of the Perpetual Indulgence at the team’s annual Pride Night. “Together, we’ll continue to knock down barriers and foster an atmosphere of acceptance for all,” Dodgers executive Erik Braverman said in a statement. Not everyone felt accepted. Catholics have long known what the “sisters” are about. They describe themselves as “a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns” and have no connection to any real Christian denomination. They are, for the most part, male drag performers specializing in what Rolling Stone magazine calls “campy nun cosplay.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, led by Archbishop José Gomez, was predictably displeased by the team’s decision to offer the group a roster spot. L.A. is a city of four million Catholics, many of whom are Hispanic, many of whom are traditionally minded, many of whom are baseball fans. Last week the Dodgers felt a pitching change was necessary. In a since-deleted tweet, the team acknowledged that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence had “been the source of some controversy.” The ballclub rescinded the invitation.

The Dodgers immediately got plunked by progressives who accused the team of letting itself get pushed off the plate. LGBT groups said the Dodgers had succumbed to a campaign to silence queer voices and erase trans identities. The team went to the bullpen a second time Monday and rescinded the rescindment. The drag sisters are back in the ballgame.

Most Americans are happy to live and let live. The Sisters of the Perpetual Indulgence have their agenda and in a free country that’s all fine and good. But why do the Dodgers need to let Sister T’aint a Virgin prance around the bases looking like a flabby Kirk Gibson in habit and cornette? Everyone is already welcome at the ballpark. It feels un-American to force-feed culture-war politics alongside the peanuts and Cracker Jack.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence aren’t classy. They’re obnoxious and gross. They don’t belong in the Dodger lineup.

More From The Wall Street Journal (subscription required):