Why Ivan Provorov's Decision to Skip Pride Night is Personal to Me
As a hockey fan and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the recent decision by Philadelphia Flyers player Ivan Provorov to skip the team's Pride Night has hit me on a personal level. I understand that players have the right to their own beliefs and opinions, but it is disappointing to see a team member make a decision that sends a message of lack of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
I've been a hockey fan for as long as I can remember, and I've always appreciated the way the sport brings people together. I've been to countless games where players wear special jerseys for various causes such as Military Appreciation Night, Hockey Fights Cancer, and more. These gestures are a way for the team to show support for a certain cause or person, and it is important that the whole team is united in these gestures.
But when it comes to Pride Night, it seems that some players still don't understand the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community. It's not just about "wearing a jersey for 20 minutes before a game," it's about showing support for a community that has historically been marginalized and facing discrimination. It's about combatting harmful inaccuracies and stereotypes that are still pervasive in our society.
It's disheartening to see a team member make a decision that undermines the team's efforts to be seen as truly committed to inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. It sends a message that the player does not support the LGBTQ+ community and is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
I understand that some people might think that being gay is a political issue, but to me, it's not. It's about wanting equality and inclusion. It's not something that should be used as a wedge issue to divide people and keep certain groups in power.
I also know that there are plenty of right wing people who support the LGBTQ+ community, and it's not a political issue for them either. It's about treating all human beings with respect and dignity. The NHL, like any other professional sports league, has a responsibility to ensure that it is inclusive and supportive of all its players and fans. In the case of Ivan Provorov's decision to not participate in the team-wide gesture for Pride Night, the league should take a clear stance on the issue. The league should make it clear that they support the LGBTQ+ community and that they believe in the importance of inclusivity and equality.
It's important to note that the league has taken steps in the past to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, such as hosting Pride Night games, and promoting campaigns to combat homophobia in hockey. However, the league should go beyond just showing support on certain nights and make a clear statement that they support the LGBTQ+ community and believe in inclusivity and equality all the time.
Additionally, the league should also make it clear that supporting the LGBTQ+ community is not a political issue. It's not about left vs right, it's about treating all human beings with respect and dignity. The league should make it clear that they do not see supporting the LGBTQ+ community as a political issue and that they will continue to support and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ivan Provorov's decision to not participate in the team-wide gesture for Pride Night is personal to me as a hockey fan and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It's a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that the sport, and society as a whole, is truly inclusive and supportive of all people.