Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed jerseys because of Russian law

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/pride-blackhawks-nhl-3c21ac118b1160bc57f6e97cec703814

AP source: Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed jerseys
By JAY COHEN

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country.

The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the move.

The Blackhawks have worn Pride warmup jerseys previously and donned special warmup jerseys on some other themed nights this season. There had been ongoing conversations about a Pride jersey with the players, according to the person who talked to the AP, but the organization made the decision to hold Pride Night without the jerseys this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in December that significantly expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country. Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russia or other connections to the country.

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Link to tweet

[scarletlib]

1. Had to read the article to understand their actions.

The team has members originally from Russia on it. These men still have family in Russia. The fear is the families will be punished for the team members actions.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. The explanation is a fig leaf, and having no one wear them is a shit move.

[Takket]

3. Disagree

If the Russian players have significant concerns their families could be punished by Putin (and we know from Brittany Griner he loves to make a spectacle) for the team wearing those jerseys then the team should do what is best for their teammates’ families. I couldn’t fathom wearing that jersey if I thought it would get one of my teammates’ families hurt.

I don’t think the damage to the LGBTQ+ community from the Blackhawks not wearing a warmup pride jersey is all that significant.

[Irish_Dem]

6. So just let the Russians wear a regular Jersey?

[newdayneeded]

8. Yes, I think its understandable to do so.

[Irish_Dem]

10. Putin can control Russians, but don't let him control Americans.

[newdayneeded]

11. this is about an athlete protecting his family

This is not an insult or slight on the LGBT community or movement. In fact, the player probably supports, he just can't outwardly show it.

[Irish_Dem]

12. Of course the Russians don't have to wear something that would endanger self or others.

That is a given.

But don't make Americans kowtow to Putin.

[GoCubsGo]

13. Yeah, it's hard to say what's really going on here.

The organization has a history of wearing the Pride warm-up jerseys every other year, so it's odd that they all of a sudden are backing off. This is far from the first team to deal with this controversy this season. Other teams have been using the "religious freedom" excuse to excuse their Russian players from sitting out the warm-ups on Pride Night. At least three others have canceled the warm-up jerseys altogether, as Chicago is doing. I'm actually surprised that the Hawks are backing out, as their current Front Office has bent over backwards with their various "inclusivity" events, to the point where the meatheads in their fan base are incessantly bitching about them being "woke." They're still going with all their other Pride events, and there's still plenty of time to reverse this jersey decision, or at least leave it up to the players to decide. I hope they do.

That being said, I have my issues with Russian players even being allowed in the league under the current circumstances. If it were up to me, they would be banned. Well, except for Artemi Panarin, who I hope was given asylum after Putin threatened his family last season, because The Breadman has been a vocal Putin critic. I kind of wonder if Chicago had him in mind, considering he got his NHL start there.

[Bok_Tukalo]

4. It is exceedingly easy to ask others to take risks for your ideals.

[niyad]

5. Somebody please finish him already!

[TeamProg]

7. Hockey puck to the head? nt

[niyad]

9. It may be too thick for the puck to do its job.

[Sympthsical]

14. I think straight people care about this more

I've been reading about the Pride jersey stuff on and off.

I cannot for the life of me find anyone LGBT I know who cares at all about this. Wear a jersey. Don't. Whatever.

As a free expression type, I still find it immensely odd that companies feel it's their job to make their employees support or not support forms of political expression. It just feels like insincere corporate signalling. Like how everything is Skittles in June but their China and Middle East ad campaigns are decidedly not that (mysteriously).

I see more rainbow stuff in these company marketing campaigns than in my own home or the homes of my LGBT friends.

It's like they think we walk through life needing everything to be a box of Lucky Charms.

I'm an adult. I'll be ok without it. I promise.