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Originally Posted by really?
It's not really an issue of compliance and conformity from the league's perspective. As an employer the league has a right to reach out to any community or belief system they wish to. They are telling the world at large that they support this community, and they ask (not tell) their employees to do the same. I respect the choice the league has made and respect James Reimer's opinion on the matter. Folks can feel however they want to about either side of the issue, but as long as the league can choose a course, and Reimer is free to express his beliefs, I don't see conformity or compliance as an issue. Every action has a consequence.
Imagine the league rolling out practice jerseys with three crosses and an empty tomb in honor of Easter. I would imagine a large number of players not being on board with wearing that, and as someone who identifies as a Christian I would fully support that decision and think nothing less of those players for making that decision. It's not what they believe. My problem in such a circumstance, and I have seen this on many occasions, would be where people of the faith would see this as persecution. It's not persecution, it's merely expression of a different opinion or perhaps repudiation of what I might believe, but that is what comes with living in a world where freedom of choice and expression is still allowed.
I would think the league is actually supporting freedom of choice and expression, and viewed in that light I don't see this as a matter involving conformity or compliance. People can disagree with the league's perspective, but simply asking that he wear a jersey to show support to a segment of it's fanbase doesn't look to me like they're compelling him to do much of anything beyond make a choice.
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This is a very thoughtful post and I largely agree. The most effective way for all of this to have an impact is for the NHL to make it totally optional, and to celebrate those who wear the jerseys. The most inclusive thing to do at that point as fans, media and the teams is to celebrate the people wearing the jerseys and simply ignore the players who choose not to.
But this is insufficient for the Inclusivity Police, who require compliance.