LGBTQ+ group criticizes NHL Pride jersey policy in new campaign

An LGBTQ+ support group in Canada has responded to the NHL’s decision to prohibit Pride night warmup jerseys by constructing what it calls a “Prideless” flag that’s missing colors. The group, called Get Real Movement, said the campaign from WPP's Wunderman Thompson Canada encourages the league to keep Pride in the game by showing that Pride doesn’t look the same without the entire league’s support. The NHL last week announced it would be banning all themed warmup jerseys next season. The decision—which affects all themed nights including Hockey Fights Cancer and military appreciation nights—came after several players refused to wear Pride jerseys this season. Brands on the rise A look at up-and-coming brands disrupting their categories Read more here Three teams—the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks—canceled plans to have their players skate in Pride jerseys due to player objections. A video from Get Real shows a Pride flag created entirely from NHL jerseys, but with three colors missing that represent the Rangers, Wild and Blackhawks. The video features testimony from Harrison Browne, a retired National Women’s Hockey League player who is the first transgender athlete in pro hockey. “Right now, hockey is not for everybody,” Browne said. “I think if the league can really say that they support the LGBTQ+ community, it can really make kids who feel alone feel at home.” ‘More of a distraction’ NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told SportsNet the decision to ban themed warmup jerseys would remove a “distraction” from themed nights. Teams typically auction such jerseys off after they're worn to support associated charities. “That’s just become more of a distraction from really the essence of what the purpose of these nights are,” Bettman said. “We’re keeping the focus on the game. And on these specialty nights, we’re going to be focused on the cause.” Some teams including the Blackhawks reportedly canceled the jerseys over concerns that a more restrictive Russian law banning so-called LGBTQ “propaganda” could imperil their Russian-born players. Major League Baseball earlier this month advised its clubs not to wear Pride-related patches on their uniforms this year. In the U.S., there are currently 560 anti-trans bills in 49 states, according to the Trans Legislation tracker. The Get Real initiative encourages hockey fans to show their support by signing a Change.org petition asking the league to reverse its Pride jersey ban. Fans can find the video along with resources for creating more welcoming spaces in hockey at KeepPrideInTheGame.com.

LGBTQ+ group criticizes NHL Pride jersey policy in new campaign

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