It's officially summerand it's officially hot--at least where I live. Time to rock the red, white and blue sweat bands for outdoor sports and become very good friends with someone having access to a pool. Time also to let go of my smoldering disappointment that the Flyers didn't bring home the Stanley Cup. This Saturday June 27th, the winning Chicago Blackhawks will soften the blow quite a bit. Defenseman Brent Sopel will ride on the Chicago Gay Hockey Association's float in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, and he will be holding that coveted Cup.
He'll be on the float with his wife and says he's looking forward to the event. "My wife and I have three children. We feel that everybody is equal...and it works out, because the Cup will be in town."
"Everybody is thrilled," commented parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer. "I think it says something about the changing of our culture. So much has changed as far as attitudes."
The Blackhawks weren't the first to jump and the invitation to join the Pride Parade. The Chicago Cubs hold that honor. Hall of Famer Ernie Banks will ride on a Cubs float as the parade route rolls right past Wrigley Field. It makes complete sense for the team to have this first float in the parade now that the openly gay Laura Ricketts is one of four primary owners of the Cubs.
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It's nice to see this public change of the stereotypical hockey player. As a matter of fact, Brent Sopel said that the first person he thought of was Brendan Burke, son of his general manager Brian Burke. Brendan, also a hockey player, came out as gay back in November and ESPN did a story about the love and acceptance his father had for him. Brendan then died tragically in a car accident three months later.
The U.S. Hockey team also honored Brendan. From Patrick, Brendan's brother: "Jamie Langenbrunner, the captain organized it...Essentially they had custom-made dog tags made for the players, the coaches, and their families. On one side it has the Olympic rings with TEAM USA and Vancouver 2010. The other side reads simply 'In honor of BRENDAN BURKE."
Way to go guys...I hope stays cool for that parade on Saturday. You deserve it.
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