Pro Hockey Partners With Gay Sports Org

[William769]

The union that represents players for the National Hockey League have officially partnered up with the You Can Play Project, which encourages acceptance and understanding of all players regardless of their sexual orientation.

Several college and professional players have participated with the campaign, which was launched by Patrick Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke and a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers, whose brother Brendan came out months before dying in a car accident in 2010.

"Our motto is 'Hockey Is For Everyone,' and our partnership with You Can Play certifies that position in a clear and unequivocal way," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said according to Outsports. "While we believe that our actions in the past have shown our support for the LGBT community, we are delighted to reaffirm through this joint venture with the NHL Players’ Association that the official policy of the NHL is one of inclusion on the ice, in our locker rooms and in the stands."

You Can Play will also run seminars for players to help them understand LGBT issues better. The organization will also offer confidential counseling for players on sexual orientation.

http://www.advocate.com/sports/2013/04/12/pro-hockey-partners-gay-sports-org

[mythology]

1. That's rather cool

It's good that one of the team sports is being proactive about this.

[William769]

2. I believe they all are trying, they are just not as good at doing it as the NHL is.

[MrSlayer]

3. The NHL has been way ahead of the rest of the sports on this issue.

Good for them.