CHICAGO — Christina Danczyk brought girlfriend Beth Reyes to the Chicago Blackhawks’ Pride Night game Sunday as a birthday gift.
Reyes, a 40-year-old Joliet-area resident, was well aware of recent backlash the Hawks received for backing out of players wearing pride-themed warmup jerseys and the debate over whether NHL teams should host pride celebrations at all.
“Everyone’s entitled, their own opinions about things,” she said. “I thought it was really great the NHL was continuing to have Pride Night for most of the teams, especially with the players that didn’t want to participate.
“With what’s going on in Chicago, I’m glad that they’re still doing Pride Night. It’s nice that they’re going to protect (the Russian players), even if that’s what the real reason is or not.”
The Hawks cited Russia’s recent legal crackdown on “gay propaganda,” and team officials reiterated Sunday that there’s legitimate concern for putting their Russian players — and their families — in conflict with anti-gay factions in the Russian government, including President Vladimir Putin.
The Hawks lost to the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 on Sunday at the United Center, their 5th straight defeat.
Michael Garcia came to Pride Night with girlfriend Alexandria Radovics to watch hockey, “pay $15 for beer” and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride Nights around the NHL have come under scrutiny in the last week.
The Hawks and New York Rangers canceled plans to have players wear rainbow-themed jerseys during warmups. San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov opted out of wearing pride jerseys, citing religious beliefs.
Reimer, who boycotted warmups on the Sharks Pride Night earlier this month, said in a statement that participating would conflict with his Christian faith: “For all 13 years of my NHL career, I have been a Christian — not just in title but in how I choose to live my daily. ... I have no hate in my heart for anyone and I have always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness.”
Reyes said she was bothered by Reimer’s comments, adding “it made me upset because I’ve had a Christian base my whole life, and it makes a lot of people look bad if that’s what he’s blaming it on.
“So for him to blame it on that, that he’s not going to partake in it instead of just maybe owning up to what he really feels, that was the only thing that really bothered me (from) what I read.”
Danczyk, a 39-year-old medical assistant, was OK with the Hawks skipping the warmup jerseys.
“If it makes them feel comfortable, I’m OK with it. They still kept everything else,” she said.
The Hawks carried on with the rest of their Pride Night slate Sunday, including the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus singing “Old Time Rock and Roll” during the first intermission. But the team’s earlier reversal still rankled some fans.
Radovics said of the Hawks’ stance: “I get it, but at the same time, I support this cause so much. And I just think that it was a little heartbreaking that they weren’t going to fully support it.”
Alex Altschul, a 34-year-old store manager from Northwest Side, came specifically for Pride Night.
“I’m in LGBTQ+ community and I have a lot of friends who are, and I also love the Blackhawks,” he said.
Altschul said he understands the need to be cautious with the safety of Russian players and their relatives, but the Hawks’ decision still stung.
“It definitely hurts a little bit because it almost says, ‘Hey, we’re not being as supportive,’ ” he said. “But I do think being more open and supportive this way is still good. I mean, this is hundreds of years of battle.”
Other NHL teams have proceeded with Pride Nights and warmup jerseys, even with Russian players on their rosters.
“It’s a fine line to walk,” Leah Johnson, a 35 year-old South Loop resident, said. “A lot of opinions, obviously, that are being shared across all different areas.
“I think the NHL is doing the best that they can, which should be commended, that they want to be able to be inclusive and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community.
“And I think that they are trying to find the right space to highlight that and showcase that. And so all you can do is just respect that they are actually trying to have the conversation and incorporate it into the games.”
Ben Schmeiser, a 50-year-old college professor, said he thinks Pride Nights are “fantastic” and a “wonderful gesture,” adding he and his friends were just discussing the recent controversy over the jerseys.
“We were talking about the one guy (who) commented on YouTube, and he said players shouldn’t be props. And I certainly understand that point of view.”
Schmeiser suggested if “a player would like to be an ambassador for this cause, then you should. If you don’t, if you feel like you are not comfortable with it, then you can opt out.”
Hawks players emerged from the locker room about a half-hour before puck drop in their regular red warmup jerseys they wear at home.
During a break in the first period, a taped video of defenseman Connor Murphy appeared on the big board.
“I know we still have a long way to go, but teammates and coaches and everyone at the Blackhawks are learning and working every day to make sure every player that wants to play, every fan that wants to love this game knows that they can bring their true self into our locker room and our arena,” Murphy said.
“As a Blackhawk, I play for Chicago, and that means all of Chicago. You are welcome here.”
Coach Luke Richardson said before the game that he appreciates being involved in the celebration.
“I know that the whole organization’s committed 365 days a year, not just today, so I think that’s the biggest message that we want to show the community’s support, and hopefully they feel welcomed, just like anybody else here today and any other day.”
