Gay Blackhawks manager reclaims love for hockey through pride nights
Photo credit: Anthony Filomena
After 2020, Anthony Filomena found it prudent to regauge his priorities and career. He had worked in PR for several years and was very happy, despite something being missing.
That is what was missing he found in 2022, as he saw the Blackhawks were looking for a PR manager on Linkedin. He would land the job, finding more substance with the Blackhawks, while allowing him to reconnect with Chicago sports fandom, as a former youth hockey player.
Filomena grew up in Chicago's suburbs and played floor hockey from 4th grade to senior year. Initially joining to impress his older brother, he found a home in the sport in a defensive role.
«It took me until middle school to realize, 'Oh, this is actually fun' and I don't have to be scared anymore,» he remembered. «And I realized I liked being on defense versus offense, and I became really good at it.»
Being gay, he experienced a conflict as he didn't acknowledge his identity until his late teens. Living in a catholic area would keep the inner conflict going, along with dealing with hurtful comments from teammates.
«There's certain word choices that are used � phrases, expressions � and you just don't want to be on the other side of that. So to hear what they're saying about other people or teams we're playing or guys that they really knew were out or gay, it's very disheartening to see that,» he said.
As he lived in a homophobic area, Filomena felt nothing good could come with being honest with others about himself. He remained in the closet while confiding in a few peers who would disappoint him and out him later.
After the trauma he experienced, he struggled with his identity and had mental health issues. It wasn't until his 20s that he accepted who he was. In order to solidify his stance, he got a Human Rights Campaign equality sign on himself in 2016 resolving to be more upfront about his sexuality.
«If I'm going to get this tattoo permanently on my body � and this was before we knew gay marriage was going to be legal � I'm ready to face whatever people think,» he stated.
He believed sports belonged to a world that ended up bringing him pain, and would continue to distance and disassociate himself from them. But when Filomena landed the job with the Blackhawks, he found an accepting environment and found his passion for the sport again.
He found several LGBTQ employees who welcomed him openly and was made PR Manager for the Hawks "Home Away From Home" game, overseeing the new conference and feeling confident, gaining the team's trust.
He also helped coordinate the Blackhawks Pride Night with his LGBTQ peers and was uplifted by the experience.
He also helped grow the game, by coordinating with LGBTQ small businesses and influencers who would experience the sport for the 1st time, and found themselves hooked! The action and speed of the sports did it for them.
«Being born and raised in Chicago, watching the team, there were no Pride Nights back then. So to be a part of the team who curated a really great experience for the community and allies and just helped move the needle a little forward, I was blown away. I don't really have words,» he said.
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 114 ANSWERS Gay Blackhawks manager reclaims love for hockey through pride nights Do you think Pride Nights grow the game? | ||
| Yes | 18 | 15.8 % |
| No | 96 | 84.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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