BREAKING - Blackhawks Cancel Pride Night Over Serious Reason

PUBLICATION

Sam Walker
March 22, 2023 (6:35 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Chicago Blackhawks recently announced the cancellation of their Pride Night celebration, which was scheduled for this week. The team had planned to wear special rainbow jerseys during warmups and auction them off to benefit LGBTQ+ organizations. However, the decision was reversed after backlash from the Russian government due to their anti-LGBTQ "propaganda" laws.

Safety concerns over Russia's anti-LGBTQ "propaganda" law are behind the team decision not to wear the jerseys, sources say.

I'm told this was an organizational decision, and didn't come from the players. The Blackhawks will not wear Pride jerseys for warmups on Pride Night on Sunday, per sources.

With three players of Russian heritage on the roster, safety concerns about a new Russian law banning "gay propaganda" prompted the decision.

The Blackhawks now face criticism from both fans and LGBTQ+ advocates for their decision. Many felt that the team's actions were a step back for inclusivity and represented a failure to stand up for marginalized communities. However, the Blackhawks defended their decision, stating that they did not want to put their players, staff, or fans in harm's way.

This incident sheds light on the continued struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the sports world. While progress has been made in recent years, with more and more athletes and teams openly supporting LGBTQ+ rights, there are still significant challenges to overcome.