The format of a My Take is 150 words – no more, no less – to express an opinion on a different topic each week. This week’s topic was pride jerseys.
By Lawrence Belanger
Sports-related inclusivity initiatives seem self-congratulatory, indicating a worldview that says “look gays, you’ve won!”, ignorant of the cultural warfare being perpetrated by the reactionary right against the modest gains in equality that have been made in some parts of the world.
Some act as if these symbolic acts lead to tangible and material improvements in the lives of the people in question, but I fail to see how. If players can refuse and whole teams can backpedal, then how is it showing that the NHL, as an institution, is supportive of the LGBT community?
It’s not that NHL players should be compelled to take part in wearing Pride jerseys, but it shows if they need to be compelled in the first place, there’s still a long way to go before we can pat ourselves on the back about how accepting we are of LGBT people.
