Keep Pride in the Game
Bringing awareness to the importance of Pride support, representation and celebration in hockey.
“There is something special about being able to show up and feeling like you fit in, without that voice in the back of your head wondering what people are really thinking and stressing about what you need to do to appear “normal.” Gay hockey has helped me become a human again, in both a physical and social sense. It’s shown me that “Embrace your differences” and “It’s ok to be gay” are real sentiments, not words that may or may not be true.”
Breanne Cyr, What Gay Hockey Means to Me, 2021-22
Keep Pride in the Game is a campaign in response to the uproar caused by professional hockey players declining to wear Pride warm-up jerseys during the previous season.
This campaign aims to promote the importance of league-wide support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community by highlighting that it loses its significance without the backing of the entire league. The launch of this initiative coincides with the NHL's recent decision to prohibit the use of Pride jerseys in the future.
The public's attention will be on the league on June 28th, as they host their entry draft event in Nashville, TN, marking their first appearance since this announcement.
Hockey should be for EVERYONE.
Show you agree by taking the following actions:
Watch this video and scroll to learn why this matters, and how you can help create more inclusive hockey spaces.
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3. Share this video and tag the NHL
“Living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink and improve my chances of fulfilling my dreams… I hope that in sharing who I am I can help other people see that gay people are welcome in the hockey community, as we work to make sure that hockey is truly for everyone.”
Luke Prokop, NHL’s First Openly Gay Player
“Seeing players wearing Pride jerseys, even just for warmups, makes me think that I do not need to hide who I am in this game.”
Carson Gates, queer NCAA hockey player
“As a gay lifelong hockey player and fan, I still feel an overwhelming sense of joy when I see NHL players and teams using Pride Tape. The visibility and intentionality of players using Pride Tape helps hockey move toward the vision of making it a space for everyone, especially LGBTQ+ youth.”
Pride Tape. Co- founder Joey Gale
Learn why this important & Tips for making your hockey space more inclusive for the 2SLGBTQ+ community
“Sports should be for everyone and anyone who wishes to participate regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”
Heidi Johnston, Sports Partnership Manager at You Can Play
“The NHL has stripped away the chance for young LGBTQ+ fans to see players wearing a jersey that symbolizes inclusion and support for a community that is so often targeted.”
Harrison Browne
Big thank you to Harrison Browne, first openly out transgender athlete in professional hockey, for his advocacy and representation.