The first NHL Prospect to ever come out as gay, Luke Prokop, felt touched by ongoing pride night talks and refusal. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, an active WHL player, and an NHL prospect, there is no doubt that he's the best person to express meaningful thoughts on the subject.
Prokop delivered an open letter via his Twitter account, in which he opened his heart on the subject. His letter notes that some teams have shifted the focus of these events away from promoting inclusion and respect and towards players who are not participating. This is not only a missed opportunity to promote diversity and acceptance, but it also sends a message that LGBTQIA+ individuals are not valued or welcome in the sport.
By wearing Pride jerseys during games, teams are sending a message that they are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Here's the heartfelt message he delivered:
Furthermore, the NHL should make a concerted effort to reach out to LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations to seek feedback and input on how to improve their initiatives and ensure they are truly representative of the community.
The recent developments regarding Pride nights and Pride jerseys in the NHL are disappointing and suggest a step back in the league's efforts to promote inclusion and respect for the LGBTQIA+ community. It is crucial that the NHL takes steps to fully embrace and promote these initiatives, and ensure that they are truly representative of the community they aim to support.
