Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
That’s why the NHLPA is onboard with the change in policy. If 15 players in warmup have pride tape on their sticks, and 5 don’t, the 5 will be questioned by reporters and attacked on social media. Presumably the players - including many who support pride - want to avoid that.
Freedom to opt in or out of symbolic gestures sounds nice in principle. But when it comes to contentious issues with lots of media attention, it usually means divisiveness and shaming.
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"Oh, I wonder what would be like?"
- A member of the LGBTQ+ community, probably.
None of us are asking for players to use the tape. The NHL outright banning is just reinforcing that hockey is not, in fact, for everyone.
The fact that we still haven't had even a retired NHL player come out tells us all we need to know about the NHL and NHLPA's stance. And I promise you there has been a gay NHL-er at some point in its 100 year old existence. Probably more than one.