Although the New York Rangers celebrated Pride Night Friday, they didn’t wear any pride-themed jerseys nor use rainbow tape.
Recently, the team stated it would perform those acts at the celebration. However, Fox News asked the Rangers why they didn’t follow through on the promise to wear jerseys.
We respect the LGBTQ+ community and are proud to highlight important community groups as part of Pride Night. In keeping with our organization’s core values, we support everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs.
Mollie Walker (NHL reporter) said that there were “no acknowledgement or accountability”For the modification of the plans concerning the jerseys, which were to be auctionedFor charity
There was no acknowledgement of or responsibility for the deviation from the original plan. The warm-up jackets were to be sold for charity. This is a violation of the #NYRIt was a great story.
We will be sharing more information on this topic soon.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) January 28, 2023
According to Fox, one player said that he didn’t know why his team didn’t wear special jerseys on the night.
Although Andre Thomas was welcomed by the team during ceremonial puck drops, he did not seem to have been informed about it.
NYC Pride issued later a statement stating that it was proud to have been able to participate in previous celebrations.
This is a partial version of the statement:
NYC Pride was not made aware in advance of our participation in last night’s ceremonial puck drop that Pride jerseys and rainbow tape would not be worn as advertised. We know and understand that this was a disappointment for New York’s LGBTQ+ community and others.
As we discuss ways that these organisations can be inclusive, we are expressing our concerns to the NHL and NY Rangers leadership.
It also stated that it is committed to maintaining good relations with the Rangers, NHL, and to continuing dialogue about these matters. “meaningful allyship with the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Rangers contributed to Ali Forney Center’s recent fundraising event. This group helps LGBTQ youth who are homeless.
Breitbart News reported that Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia Flyers defenceman, chose to not wear the gay pride jersey sponsored by the team for gay pride night. He cited his Russian Orthodox faith.
He said, “I respect everybody. I respect everybody’s choices.”
#FlyersIvan Provorov’s Pride Night pregame boycott
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” pic.twitter.com/YSFKvkyEJC— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) January 18, 2023
He also said that “my choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
Provorov’s jersey nearly sold out on NHL and Fanatics online shops after he chose not to participate in the team’s gay pride night, according to Breitbart News.
The full article is available here here
