Brian Burke the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Patrick Burke, scout for the Philadelphia Flyers launched You Can Play, backed by numerous well known names in the NHL like Henrik Lundqvist and Claude Griouxe. This initiative was started by Brian Burke, son and brother of the aforementioned Burkes, was the first person to fight for the
rights of gay athletes in professional hockey. Brennan recently passed away and since his accident, the Burke
family has fought hard to carry on his legacy and ensure that LGBT
athletes around the world are afforded equal opportunity. You Can Play is about being judged only by
their talent, character, and work ethic in their sport. Brennan’s simple message is now the slogan of the campaign:: If you can skate, if you can shoot, if you
can score, if you can play; you can play.
I think that this is an amazing step not only for the NHL, but for sports in general. I think it's so important for big name athletes to come out and say "you can play" to anybody who feels uncomfortable in a locker room because of their sexual orientation. Especially in light of recent events where it seems more and more people are being bullied and abused because they are gay, I think it is admirable that the NHL is doing this and that so many athletes are on board with this. I think it's an important change in the culture of hockey that is necessary. It's good to see players and coaches taking a stance against "casual homophobia" in the ice or in the locker room. I also think it's good that they're reaching out to hockey at all levels, not just the NHL to stop the bigotry.
Hopefully other professional sports organizations follow suit and launch their own similar initiatives.
I think that this is an amazing step not only for the NHL, but for sports in general. I think it's so important for big name athletes to come out and say "you can play" to anybody who feels uncomfortable in a locker room because of their sexual orientation. Especially in light of recent events where it seems more and more people are being bullied and abused because they are gay, I think it is admirable that the NHL is doing this and that so many athletes are on board with this. I think it's an important change in the culture of hockey that is necessary. It's good to see players and coaches taking a stance against "casual homophobia" in the ice or in the locker room. I also think it's good that they're reaching out to hockey at all levels, not just the NHL to stop the bigotry.
Hopefully other professional sports organizations follow suit and launch their own similar initiatives.
No comments:
Post a Comment