This is not an anti-gay thing. This is an anti-political coercion thing. There was a time gay rights was a civil rights issue, but, thankfully, no longer. Gay people, generally, are among America’s most successful groups.
But, according to the Washington Examiner, “San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer is under fire after he refused to wear an LGBTQ-themed’ Pride Night’ jersey ahead of his team’s Saturday home game…. Reimer boycotted the warmup skate and refused to wear the jersey due to his Christian faith.”
Here, it’s a Christian who opposes this partisan bullying and is the player the San Jose Sharks and the NHL shoved under this undeserved microscope. And, though many players and fans reject political coercion like this for other reasons, it seems a fact that Christians are showing the most courage when faced with this arm-twisting.
“Reimer is the second NHL player this season to refuse to take part in warmups with Pride themed jerseys, with Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov declining to in January. Reimer was not slated to start in Saturday night’s home game against the New York Islanders.” [link added]
The saddest part isn’t the Sharks and NHL sucking up to “woke.” The saddest part is that more coaches and teammates aren’t sticking up for players like Provorov and Reimer. Although, refreshingly, Provorov’s coach, John Tortorella, eloquently defended his player.
The Sharks and NHL have exposed players to bullying and harassment for partisan political purposes. In James Reimer’s official statement, he said, “the LGBTQIA+ community… should be welcomed in all aspects of the game of hockey.” [emphasis added]
Yet, people like Brian Burke don’t care. The president of hockey operations in Pittsburgh is taking a page from the NBA’s bowing to the CCP.
“Homophobia” wasn’t associated with Reimer before a few days ago. And this insult is being hurled at a player long and widely recognized as one of the NHL’s nicest people.
Incidentally, how would the Left react to an NHL MAGA Night, encouraging players to don (no pun) the ubiquitous red hat?
Originally from New England, he’s a Boston sports fan. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Jody, a retired firefighter. He enjoys spending time with his adult kids and three grandchildren.
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