Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Kyle Rich wrote a piece recently published in the Hamilton Spectator about the role communities can play to make sport in Canada more equitable and accessible.

He writes:

“Pride nights were never the solution.

It was recently reported the NHL will ban players from using Pride Tape this season. This comes after the league put an end to all themed warmup jerseys last June after a small number of players — including Canadians James Reimer and Eric and Marc Staal — were vocal about Pride jerseys, stating they go “against their beliefs” and the league determined the jerseys were a “distraction.”

Reports suggest an NHL memo indicated players shall not be put in the position of having or appearing to support, or being close to those demonstrating personal support, for any “special initiatives.” Some have likened the recent decision to hockey’s version of a “don’t say gay” policy and suggested this may quash all teams’ Pride Night activities.

The policy change comes a year after the NHL published a report on “accelerating diversity and inclusion” and amid the ongoing “hockey is for everyone” campaign. The irony of these mixed messages is not lost on most followers. But, I think all of the buzz generated through news and social media detracts from the key issue at the centre of these developments: professional sport leagues are not the change-makers who are going to fix the problem.

While pro teams are, and should be, part of the conversation, Pride nights were never going to be the solution to address homophobia and transphobia in sports.”

Continue reading the full article on the Hamilton Spectator website.