Blackhawks Cancel Pride Night Due to Safety Risks With Russian Players

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Sam Walker
March 22, 2023 (6:56 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks faced criticism after cancelling their planned Pride Night celebration, which was set to feature special rainbow jerseys to be auctioned off to benefit LGBTQ+ organizations. The decision to cancel the jerseys was due to backlash from the Russian government, which has anti-LGBTQ "propaganda" laws, and concerns for the safety of players, staff, and fans.

According to sources, the Blackhawks' decision was organizational and did not come from the players. The team's Russian heritage players were cited as a reason for the concern over the new Russian law banning "gay propaganda."

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.

Critics argued that the cancellation represented a failure to stand up for marginalized communities and was a step back for inclusivity. However, the Blackhawks defended their decision, stating that they did not want to put anyone in harm's way.

This incident highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in sports. Despite progress made in recent years, such as more athletes and teams openly supporting LGBTQ+ rights, there are still significant challenges to overcome.