Tag Archives: Pride Night

Hockey Stars Speak Out Against NHL's Homophobic Ban of Pride Night Jerseys.

Hockey Stars Speak Out Against NHL’s Homophobic Ban of Pride Night Jerseys.

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And it IS homophobia. Be assured of that.

Two of the NHL’s biggest stars, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, are now speaking out against the league’s new “specialty” (ie PRIDE) jersey ban.

Stamkos told reporters it’s a shame the few dissenters grabbed all of the headlines, and are now apparently dictating league policy.

“It was 98 percent or 99 percent of other players that wore the jersey and enjoyed wearing it and were proud wearing it, whatever jersey it was, whether it was the Pride, the military night, the cancer nights,” he said.

“The story shouldn’t be about the guy that didn’t wear it, the one guy or the two guys. I understand that’s what gets the clicks and that’s what gets the views, but the word ‘distraction’ gets thrown around.”

McDavid, for his part, said the Oilers will always support LGBTQ+ people and marginalized communities.

“It’s disappointing to see,” he said to reporters about the new uniform policy. “It’s not my call, but obviously it’s disappointing.”

The Oilers were the first NHL team to use rainbow tape on their sticks, and were also one of the first clubs to embrace Pride Nights. Back in 2014, then-captain Andrew Ference marched in Edmonton’s Pride parade wearing his Oilers jersey–a strong statement given the team’s stature in the city.

Last summer, the Oilers played in the inaugural Pride Cup, which coincides with Edmonton’s Pride celebrations.

Next year. NO PRIDE.

NHL To Do Away With LGBT Pride Jerseys to Avoid 'Distraction'.

NHL To Do Away With LGBT Pride Jerseys to Avoid ‘Distraction’.

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Gary Bettman, Commission of the National Hockey League says teams will be banned from wearing specialty warmup jerseys in celebration of the LGBT community or other causes next season as to avoid “distractions”.

NHL teams are still permitted to hold specialty nights like Pride Night, Black History Night, and Military Appreciation Night and can also create specialty jerseys for the benefit of various charities.

While the on-ice jerseys will no longer display specialty designs, teams can still create and sell specialty jerseys for charity purposes. Bettman clarified, “Players who choose to model them can do that. It’s really just the question of what’s on the ice.”

In January, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, recently traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, refused to wear a pride night-themed warmup sweater, citing his Russian Orthodox religious beliefs. This stance was later echoed by San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer and brothers Eric and Marc Staal of the Florida Panthers.

In March, the Chicago Blackhawks did not don their pride-themed warmup sweaters, reportedly due to security concerns over the Russian law restricting the promotion of LGBT rights. The Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers also retracted their decisions to wear special sweaters for their respective pride nights.

DODGERS PRIDE NIGHT A Rousing Success. 49,000 Attend Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Honor.

DODGERS’ PRIDE NIGHT A Rousing Success. 49,000 Attend Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Honor.

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Final score: PRIDE NIGHT 1 – HATERS 0.

Despite heavy police and security presence along the first level of seating, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were honored with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ community hero award on the team’s Pride Night which was packed despite threats and protest from right-wing extremist.

Fans in attendance of Friday’s Pride Night at Dodger Stadium enjoyed the game and celebration of the LGBTQ community, despite the thousands of protesters outside who opposed the team’s decision to include the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in their event.

Fans were still able to make their way into the stadium and the Sisters were given their Community Hero award from the Dodgers in a small ceremony before the game. Eventually, the stands filled up with people ready to celebrate Pride and watch a baseball game.

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts made it clear all were welcome at the ballpark ahead of the game as well. “I love everyone. Anyone who wants to come in and support the Dodgers, I’m all in, we’re all in,” said Roberts.

abc7.com

While the PRIDE Night festivities were happening inside the stadium, outside a few hundred people protested the Sisters’ recognition.

Outside the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels in downtown L.A., a lone protester used a bullhorn and fliers to alert people to the demonstration at the stadium. Another said he was disappointed that the archdiocese didn’t provide shuttles to the site.

Friday’s protest was organized in part by Catholics for Catholics, a Phoenix-based 501(c)(4) organization that IS NOT officially connected to the Catholic Church that counts retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, as a senior adviser.

LA Dodgers Apologize, Re-Invite Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. We “Sincerely Apologize”.

LA Dodgers Apologize, Re-Invite Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. We “Sincerely Apologize”.

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As we reported last week. Ahead of its June 16 Pride Night, the Los Angeles Dodgers officially removed The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their Pride Night honoree list after being duped by two “Catholic” hate groups; CatholicVote.org and Bill Donoghue of the Catholic League that has no affiliation to the Catholic church and who bombarded the team with messages because they were honoring a ” blatantly perverted, sexual and disgusting anti-Catholic hate group.”

After the Sisters were removed from the Dodgers’ Pride Night, LA Pride dropped out of the event in solidarity, writing, “Pride is a fight for equality and inclusion for the entire LGBTQ community and we’re not going to stop now.” At the time, the Sisters wrote that they were “offended and outraged” by the team’s decision to rescind their invitation and succumb to “pressure” and “misleading information.”

Well the LA Dodgers have finally done their due diligence after much blowback and complaints and have apologized to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

“After much thoughtful feedback from our diverse communities, honest conversations within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and generous discussions with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence … the Dodgers would like to offer our sincerest apologies,” the team said in a statement Monday afternoon after meeting with leaders of the group. (see below)

The Sisters have graciously accepted.

“A full apology and explanation was given to us by the Dodgers staff which we accept,” the Sisters said. “We believe the apology is sincere because the Dodgers have worked for 10 years with our community and as well they have asked us to continue an ongoing relationship with them.”

The Sister of Perpetual Indulgence is a non-profit whose decades of service in the community have been well-documented, and many viewed the Dodgers’ decision as being duped and caving to right-wing fundamentalists. hate groups.

Pressure and Boycotts DO WORK.

NHL Team Chicago Blackhawks Won’t Wear LGBT Pride Jerseys Over Russian Law

NHL Team Chicago Blackhawks Won’t Wear LGBT Pride Jerseys Over Russian Law

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That’s a new one. Nice try covering up for homophobic Russia players

The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBT rights in the country.

Via the AP: The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise. Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russia or other connections to the country.

This comes mere months after the Philadelphia Flyers player earned national headlines for refusing to wear the teams Pride Night jersey because of his “religion”. 3 weeks later the New York Rangers did not wear Pride Night jerseys or use rainbow stick tape during warmups on Friday night’ PRIDE night game, despite promoting them in ticket sales materials leading up to the game. Which many hockey insiders attribute to a denial by Russian players to wear them.

Funny how the Chicago Blackhawks think that a racist caricature is fine also.

The NHL needs to start playing hardball with it’s Russian players. Play the game, wear what uniform we give you and make outrageous sums of money or go back to Russian and be unpaid, conscripted, cannon fodder.

Dasvidaniya comrades!

Hockey Stars Speak Out Against NHL's Homophobic Ban of Pride Night Jerseys.

HOCKEY: NY Rangers Cancel Player’s Pride Night Jerseys at the Last Minute

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Coming just two weeks after a Philadelphia Flyers player earned national headlines for refusing to wear the teams Pride Night jersey because of his “religion”. The New York Rangers did not wear Pride Night jerseys or use rainbow stick tape during warmups on Friday night’ PRIDE night game, despite promoting them in ticket sales materials leading up to the game.

ESPN reports: The Rangers promoted Pride Night to fans by saying players “will be showing their support by donning pride-themed warm-up jerseys and tape in solidarity with those who continue to advocate for inclusivity.” Instead, the team wore their “Liberty Head” jerseys in warmups. The Rangers’ 7th annual Pride Night was celebrated throughout the game in other ways. Fans were given a pride-themed fanny pack as a giveaway. The exterior and interior lights at Madison Square Garden were illuminated in rainbow colors. The Rangers also made a charitable donation to the Ali Forney Center on Pride Night, the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ+ homeless youths in the country.

The Ranger’s statement on not wearing pride-themed warm-up jerseys last night: “Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to bring attention to important local community organizations as part of another great Pride Night. I n keeping with our organization’s core values, we support everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs.”

Which in turn asks the question was there NOT A SINGLE PLAYER on the Rangers wanted to express his belief and wear a Pride jersey in support of the LGBT+ community? Or did the Rangers disallow that too? Duly noted.

Two weeks ago after the Philadelphia Flyers player refused to wear the teams Pride jersey the NHL released this statement: “”Hockey is for Everyone is the umbrella initiative under which the League encourages Clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets, and to work to achieve more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans,” the league said in its statement to ESPN. “Clubs decide whom to celebrate, when and how — with League counsel and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”

The tide is turning. Not in a good way. Who would have ever thought a New York sports team would punk out on us?

*RUMOR HAS IT: Word has it Russian players, Panarin and Shesterkin are the players who are pulling the Religion card. It is likely being promoted by Putin and his Republican Allies in the U.S to hit the Pride Community and continue to create divisions in society

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NHL Team Chicago Blackhawks Won’t Wear LGBT Pride Jerseys Over Russian Law

NHL Player Ivan Provorov Refuses To Wear Pride Night Jersey

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Via The Daily Beast: National Hockey League player Ivan Provorov opted to forego part of the Philadelphia Flyers’ annual Pride Night on Tuesday, skipping warmups over a disagreement on rainbow attire, as well as rainbow-colored sticks and pucks to be auctioned at the end of the night. Provorov claimed a religious exemption, citing being Russian Orthodox. He went on to help his team notch a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks, wearing his usual uniform rather than a jersey with a rainbow number on the sleeve. “I respect everybody. I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov told reporters.

This is the same Russian Orthodox Church that supports  Invading a sovereign country killing innocent children and destroying countless lives.

The Philidelphia Flyer’s should have taken a stand and benched or fined him. #ThatIsAll