Date Published: 1-20-2023
Photo Credit: Sahylah Rice
On Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted their Pride Night. In an effort towards this initiative, the Flyers wore Pride jerseys and used rainbow Pride tape. This was the Flyers’ first Pride Night where they wore Pride jerseys, in prior Pride Nights the Flyers only used Pride tape and even that was optional.
Many fans were encouraged by this step by the Flyers towards LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the NHL. However, defenseman Ivan Provorov’s comments on why he sat out during warm-ups left some in disbelief. Provorov stated religious reasons as to why he refused to dress in the Pride jersey and partake in warm-ups. Sometimes the slogan ‘hockey is for everyone’ feels empty at times to some fans.
“Hockey is for Everyone should not be an ‘umbrella initiative’ where players need to do it because they have to,” Sam Prevot said. “There should be more acknowledgment of queer and minority folks than just a theme night once a year.”
Prevot also said that teams should do community events, make donations to relevant charities, and show their fans that they actually care. This sentiment has been repeated by multiple members of the LGBTQ+ community. Many feel that Pride nights have felt largely performative.
Beth (Twitter user @hiverhunt) said, “LGBTQ+ fans should be spotlighted, especially during Pride celebrations. There are so many of us who love the sport and just want to have fun with it.”
NHL players are looked up to as role models by fans from all walks of life. When events like this happen in the hockey world, it shines an even harsher spotlight on how much people look to them for example.
“There are queer hockey players, out or not, who need advocates in their straight, cis-gender teammates. Queer fans and players are the ones being discriminated against, yet we’re the ones sticking up for ourselves,” Em (Twitter user @emfr0mneptune) said. “We face the vitriol, while others stay silent and watch as it happens. I want the culture to change.”
Fans aren’t calling for a complete overhaul of the NHL, they’re asking to be respected.
“Overall I just want to see more empathy from players and the league, and more engagement with LGBTQ+ organizations, fans, and young players beyond one night of wearing pride jerseys for warmups,” Amanda (Twitter user @Mandae_Bell) said.
The work that Philadelphia Flyers, James van Riemsdyk, and Scott Laughton have been doing with the LGBTQ+ community, striving for inclusivity in the NHL, is what fans want to see from other players. JVR and Laughton have partnered with multiple nonprofits and have been hosting members of the LGBTQ+ community at every Flyers home game this season.
“[The NHL] doing more for each team’s respective local LGBTQ+ community, as well as doing more to support queer athletes, in general, would do so much, to not only grow the sport but support the queer fans the league already has,” Jo Dabney said. “Scott Laughton, as well as both Trevor and James van Riemsdyk all do amazing with their respective local communities, and supporting them and their charities would help so much.”
Laughton and van Riemsdyk have gotten attention in Philadelphia, but not as much national recognition for the work they’ve done for their LGBTQ+ fans.
Former Flyers organization member, Kurtis Gabriel, is a name that comes to mind for a lot of fans, too. Gabriel has been very outspoken on social media about his support as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
“Kurtis Gabriel is another great example. He’s shown an active and consistent effort to learn,” Jay Neemeyer said.
LGBTQ+ fans want to see support. Vincenza Bellentti said, “At the end of the day, queer fans won’t feel truly welcome and safe in the sport when intolerant comments continue to occur on pride posts year after year.”
It is important to lift up the voices of those who are marginalized. If you would like to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, please visit thetrevorproject.org.
