Associate Professor of Leisure and Leisure Studies Kyle Rich wrote a recent article in the journal Hamilton Spectator About the role communities can play to make sport in Canada more equitable and accessible.
he is writing:
“Pride nights were never the answer.
It was recently reported that the NHL will ban players from using Pride Tape this season. It comes after the league put an end to all warm-up jerseys last June after a small number of players – including Canadians James Reimer, Eric and Marc Staal – spoke out about the Pride jerseys, saying they went against their beliefs and the league decided the jerseys were a “distraction.” .
The NHL memo reportedly states that players may not be placed in a position of support or appear to be supportive, or approach those who show personal support, for any “special initiatives.” Some likened the recent decision to hockey’s version of a “don’t call gay” policy and suggested this could result in the cancellation of Pride Night activities for all teams.
The policy change comes a year after the NHL published a report on “Accelerating Diversity and Inclusion” and amid the ongoing “Hockey for All” campaign. The irony of these mixed messages is not lost on most followers. But I think all the noise generated by the news and social media detracts from the main issue at the heart of these developments: professional sports leagues are not the changemakers that will solve the problem.
While pro teams are, and should be, part of the conversation, Pride nights never will be the A solution to address homophobia and transphobia in sport.
Continue reading the full article on Hamilton Spectator website.
