Inclusivity and the NHL: We Have a Problem

[Yamer]

There has been a growing resistance among players in the NHL towards LGBTQ+ and Pride initiatives and programs. The most obvious has been the refusal of players or entire teams to wear pre-game warmup Pride jerseys, the most recent of which includes James Reimer and the San Jose Sharks.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1637184090708508672

https://twitter.com/user/status/1637183063900983297

Of course Reimer and the Sharks aren't the first to do this, and with the recent trend with players like Provorov and teams like Minnesota I am pretty confident this isn't going away.

I'm all about players having the right to express their opinions and views, but I would hope they would have a little foresight in what these statements and refusals actually express. Pride and LGBTQ+ weeks/nights/events coincide with the idea that hockey should be for everyone, and everyone should feel welcome in the hockey community. When a player or team refuses to participate in these events it is a fairly clear expression that this concept is untrue. That breaks my heart.

Moreover, not only do these antics distract from positive awareness, but also likely damages support for these organizations and initiatives. I would guess those jerseys generate a pretty penny in donations to improve inclusivity. And we've already seen how emboldened people have become lately by anti-LGBTQ+ movements and laws.

I can't help but wonder what a player like Luke Prokop thinks of his peers openly expressing they neither welcome him nor his sexuality. IMO, this is a trend that needs to be addressed collectively as it sure seems like it's snowballing, and the last thing the NHL needs is to be viewed as regressive.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

"The bible is the highest authority in my life"

Yeah can we go ahead and abolish religion already? So tired of this dogmatic thinking.

[activeStick]

Religion strikes again!

[Cecil Terwilliger]

You mean hockey culture, about which we’ve been hearing so many good things recently, might have a problem with homophobia? Well I never…


Although worth noting when Minny skipped pride night, it was thought to be because they were worried that their Russian players could end up in hot water with Russian authorities.

[Badgers Nose]

The thing about free speech and expression is that it's going to sometimes lead to disagreements like this. You can't force people to do things they don't believe in.

I think the Sharks handled it about the best way they could.

IMO being a Christian would mean supporting a marginalized group with a demonstrated history of suffering oppression and victimization.

But WTF do I know, I'm just a atheist.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

You mean hockey culture, about which we’ve been hearing so many good things recently, might have a problem with homophobia? Well I never…


Although worth noting when Minny skipped pride night, it was thought to be because they were worried that their Russian players could end up in hot water with Russian authorities.

Of course, that was total BS. Did they sit down on the numerous nights when the rinks had Ukraine moments a year or so ago?

[Snuffleupagus]

Religion - biggest con in the history of mankind

For America, Donald Trump is a close second

[midniteowl]

Holy effing hell! Would he please point to where in bible said being gay is sin? I believe Pope Francis has said it that there is no where in the bible ever states that gay is sin. Jesus has preach inclusion and forgiveness and love, and he, saying that he is a practice Christian, and claims that he is following Jesus footsteps?

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Holy effing hell! Would he please point to where in bible said being gay is sin? I believe Pope Francis has said it that there is no where in the bible ever states that gay is sin. Jesus has preach inclusion and forgiveness and love, and he, saying that he is a practice Christian, and claims that he is following Jesus footsteps?

Reminds me of that quote that is (incorrectly) attributed to Ghandi.


"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, because they act nothing like your Christ."

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Holy effing hell! Would he please point to where in bible said being gay is sin? I believe Pope Francis has said it that there is no where in the bible ever states that gay is sin. Jesus has preach inclusion and forgiveness and love, and he, saying that he is a practice Christian, and claims that he is following Jesus footsteps?

Reimer can't follow in Jesus's footsteps anyhow, Jesus actually saves.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Reminds me of that quote that is (incorrectly) attributed to Ghandi.


"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, because they act nothing like your Christ."

I have said something similar to those try to preach to me about God, and that I have to believe in God to be saved, and to to heaven." My responds to them was "I believe in God, I just don't believe in those who claim to work for Him. And if heaven is full of people like you, I'd rather be in hell."

[Paulie Walnuts]

The NHL has taken a massive step back this year and honestly the 3 or so players choosing not to participate makes your whole week and initiative pointless and usless because they take the spotlight.

The NHL should scrap it until they can figure it out.

Reimer sounds like a complete clown. I can't participate because a book tells me it's wrong but hey you are welcome to play huh?

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Holy effing hell! Would he please point to where in bible said being gay is sin? I believe Pope Francis has said it that there is no where in the bible ever states that gay is sin. Jesus has preach inclusion and forgiveness and love, and he, saying that he is a practice Christian, and claims that he is following Jesus footsteps?

Not just a sin, a death sentence!

King James. Leviticus chapter 20, verse 13:

“If a man has intercourse with a man as with a woman, both commit an abomination. They must be put to death.”

The Bible is a very large pile of

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Not just a sin, a death sentence!

King James. Leviticus chapter 20, verse 13:

“If a man has intercourse with a man as with a woman, both commit an abomination. They must be put to death.”

The Bible is a very large pile of

I'm a born Catholic, went through the whole Sunday school till I was 18. But now, I'm a Catholic by name only, not even a Easter, Christmas Catholic.
I haven't gone to church for more than 25 years. I haven't open the Bible for more than 25 years and I agree with you, it's is a very large pile of poo.

[Yamer]

Reimer performing some pretty spectacular mental gymnastics along with the classic "love the sinner but not the sin".

https://twitter.com/user/status/1637184135608565760

https://twitter.com/user/status/1637184482485874689

[Samonadreau]

Sites like moneypuck just need to keep trolling these players.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Reimer can't follow in Jesus's footsteps anyhow, Jesus actually saves.

well done.

[Roughneck]

Sounds dumb as ####.

‘I live my life for Jesus who tells me to love everybody but I won’t support them because it goes against the Bible.’

Quite the cognitive dissonance going on there.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Reminds me of that quote that is (incorrectly) attributed to Ghandi.


"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, because they act nothing like your Christ."

You can't fault people for thinking he said that. It's literally a scripted line in his biopic film.

[Samonadreau]

People like this. I like to just keep asking but why?

"It goes against christianity"

But why?

"Well, because its a Sin"

But why?

"Well, because the Bible"

But why?

"Well, because its wrong, and I dont respect or support it.... But Iove and respect everyone!"