It is no secret that the world of professional sports, or just sports for that matter, has traditionally not warmly welcomed people who identify as LGBTQ. And in the hockey world there is an extreme lack of ethnic diversity due to the high number of white American, Canadian and European players in the sport. Inclusion is hard in one of the most expensive sports there is. It is not easily accessible for POC who have low incomes or little access to an ice rink and hockey equipment.
The National Hockey League is making an effort to change this through their partnership with You Can Play, an organization that “works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all in sports — including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans.” In April of 2013, You Can Play first announced its partnership with both the NHL and NHLPA (National Hockey League Players’ Association); this was the first major sports league partnership with You Can Play. Hockey was the first sport to make this step because all their founders have been involved in professional or college hockey. Patrick Burke was a Philadelphia Flyers scout, Brian Kitts was an office executive for the Colorado Avalanche, and Glenn Witman played college hockey and founded the elite gay sports league.
Now for the first time in almost four years, the NHL is having a month dedicated to raising awareness “on such areas as LGBTQ, ethnicity and gender equality, socio-economic status and those with disabilities.” To encompass this month, it is simply called “Hockey Is For Everyone.” Throughout February there will be different activities and events hosted by the NHL to encourage inclusion, including every NHL team hosting a You Can Play night. These games will feature the players using Pride Tape on their sticks (which displays the rainbow) and will recognize “hockey players of all ages from diverse backgrounds including: sled hockey players, blind players, youth boys and girls players, special needs players, and recent immigrants.” In addition to these nights, each team has selected a player to be a You Can Play ambassador to serve as a leader in the locker room, on the ice and outside the team to encourage inclusion and diversity. Find your team’s ambassador here: https://www.nhl.com/community/hockey-is-for-everyone/ambassadors
As an ally and hockey fan, I believe that the NHL is doing great work through You Can Play and hosting Hockey Is For Everyone month. I watch games and I hardly see any people of color in the stands or on the ice. While you cannot see sexual orientation, I am sure there are people who want to play but are too scared, or players who do identify as LGBTQ and receive hate for it. I hope that by the NHL making this move, the inequality gap in hockey will begin to close, and that fans and players will see the sport as a safe space.
Sources:
http://www.youcanplayproject.org/pages/mission-statement
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/nhl-announces-hockey-is-for-everyone-month/c-286349160
http://www.youcanplayproject.org/news/entry/nhl-and-nhlpa-announce-partnership-with-you-can-play
http://www.youcanplayproject.org/news/entry/nhl-announces-hockey-is-for-everyone-month
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