Yes Virginia, There Are Gay Men in Professional Hockey

Published November 26, 2009 @ 09:54PM PT

Hockey Rink Professional sports can be a bit of a breeding ground for homophobia. Hockey, in particular, has come under the microscope lately as being a sport with a particularly brutal homophobic culture. That's why this week's story of hockey magnate Brian Burke's son coming out of the closet -- and his dad's full on support for equal rights for LGBT people -- has the sports world buzzing.

Burke, the president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, not only publicly came out in support of his son Brendan (who happens to be a student manager of the University of Miami-Ohio Miami University of Ohio's hockey team), he also struck a blow to the glass ceiling that says an openly gay athlete wouldn't be welcome in professional sports.

"I would prefer Brendan hadn't decided to discuss this issue in this very public manner. There will be a great deal of reaction, and I fear a large portion will be negative. But this takes guts, and I admire Brendan greatly, and happily march arm in arm with him on this," said Burke. "There are gay men in professional hockey. We would be fools to think otherwise."

So there's one more thing to be thankful for on this day: powerful sports figures creaking open the closet door to welcome out professional athletes.

The reaction to Burke's son coming out has also delivered some really cool comments from current pro-hockey players. Tampa Bay Lightning player Steven Stamkos said that he'd welcome an openly gay teammate.

"Why not?" Stamkos said. "It's a weird question. It's a personal thing. If you want to come out, good for you."

Stamkos' teammate, Martin St. Louis, said that pro sports need to get with the 21st century when it comes to welcoming athletes that might be gay.

"At this point in time in society it has to be accepted. I don't think you can judge a player or human based on his sexual orientation," said. St. Louis.

All of them are right. And all of them are part of a changing culture in professional sports that is breaking down homophobia. From NFL players who publicly support marriage equality, and now to a hockey guru who marches in gay pride parades with his son, the times they-are-a-changing.

Yes, there are still acts of stupidity (here's looking at you, Larry Johnson). But a tipping point has been reached. It's now not a question of "if" a professional athlete will come out in any of the major sports. It's a question of "when."

(Photo courtesy of RoninKengo's photostream on Flickr.)

Spread the Word

More You Can Do

Get action and news alerts about Gay Rights »
Browse top Gay Rights organizations to support »
Find out more about Gay Rights and what you can do to help »

Comments (17)

That is great that he came out and is geting support.I hope this will open the door for more athletes to come out and be accepted.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 11/27/2009 @ 06:05AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 3 people like this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Martin
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Yet another reason to love the Leafs. They also were the first ever major league sports team to allow their logo, archive footage, etc. to be used for a gay-themed film (Breakfast with Scot).

Posted by Tobias Fangor on 11/27/2009 @ 08:53AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 3 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Tobias
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
It's good to see that Ice Hockey is becoming more tolerant of LGBT atlethes, which is necessary. Brendan Burke is doing the correct thing by openly admitting that he's gay and that his dad is supportive of equality in sports. Homophobia in sports is a terrible aspect of the sports world but must be decreased significantly so that all LGBT atlethes may be welcomed regardless of their sexual orientation. Martin St. Louis is correct in that a player or a person can't be judged solely on sexual orientation.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 11/27/2009 @ 10:49AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Edwin
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
"Why not?" Stamkos said. "It's a weird question. It's a personal thing. If you want to come out, good for you," as mentioned in the above article. Is it a personal thing, it is not like using the bathroom but is it safe to reveal yourself as a gay individual?

Posted by Peter S. T. on 11/27/2009 @ 03:11PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
It may not be 100% safe in all circumstances for folks to come out of the closet BUT more and more, its being done and those who do come out, knowing that theyre risking all they treasure and still doing it...They got big cajones and thats a good thing.

Theyre the real heroes...Fighting to be themselves against those who would deny them that simple but fundemental right.

Posted by Reverend Boony on 11/27/2009 @ 05:35PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 3 people like this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Peter
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
We need more good parents like mr. burke.

Posted by Reverend Boony on 11/27/2009 @ 05:36PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Reverend
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Mr. Burke really know what he's doing. I'm respectful to him. Leafs all the ways =p diabetes mellitus

Posted by Alen Jozek on 11/28/2009 @ 02:56PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Alen
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
diabetes mellitus

Posted by Alen Jozek on 11/28/2009 @ 02:56PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Alen
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
This is incredibly wonderful, and an example of how a parent should react to something like this. *wild applause*

Also, this is another reason for my to express my wild fanlove of hockey. I hope this sets a trend.

Posted by Brandann Hill-Mann on 11/28/2009 @ 08:54PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Brandann
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Applause

Posted by Clifford Hritz on 11/29/2009 @ 12:08PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Clifford
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Excellent! Respect and Thanks to Brian Burke for having the courage to stand up for his son!

Posted by Al Falafool on 11/29/2009 @ 02:52PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 3 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Al
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Thank you, Brendan and Brian Burke!

Posted by Celeste Frazier on 11/29/2009 @ 02:59PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Celeste
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Two thumbs up to hockey, acceptance, and equal rights! On a side note, it's Miami University, not University of Miami. (The latter's in Florida.)

Posted by Karen Williams on 11/29/2009 @ 03:33PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Thanks for the correction, Karen! Doh! I'll fix that....:)

Posted by Michael Jones on 11/29/2009 @ 03:49PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Karen
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Even Don Cherry supports gay marriage.

http://queerthoughts.blogspot.com/2004/12/hockey-icon-don-cherry-gives-thumbs-up.html

Posted by Dave Smartt on 11/30/2009 @ 01:26PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Dave
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Next up: football. I can hear them (the homophobes) shaking in their jock straps already.

Posted by Gabrielle B on 11/30/2009 @ 08:20PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Gabrielle
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
There's lots of guys who like Hockey, especially here in Canada, and Football.

Wendel Clarke from the Toronto Maple Leafs, is gay. It was known and he was captain of the team I believe?

He's not any longer, but professional contact sports have lots of Gay guys involved, Hockey or Football!

I played both;

Love Hockey and I love tackle football;

Not all the guys were gay I played with; it was strategy I liked.

I love contact sports like those two as well as collegiate wrestling and dodge ball.

There's going to be homophobes everywhere!

I'm not violent, but if I had too, I'd kick the shit out of them if I had to because I have the right to play just like them without harassment.

If I have to gain respect that way, heads will roll, and they have!

Part of being a part of it, but that was then, but good memories.

The locker room?

Now, there's a memory I really like as a Gay guy! LOL...

Later,

Nick

Posted by N J on 12/20/2009 @ 05:39AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by N
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply

Add a Comment

For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

Comment

Check Spelling

Email me when there are new posts to this thread
Comment Policy

Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

Author

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He is the former Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, as well as the former Director of Communications for Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace and justice organization. Mike is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and he is also a proud sketch comedy writer.