11/05/24
June 22, 2010
The Blackhawks and Cubs to be a part of Chicago's Gay Pride Parade: The Chicago Blackhawks are bringing the Cup back into town for the Pride Parade. The team will be represented by Brent Sopel who has said that he is honored to be a part of the parade. The Chicago Cubs will have a float as well and none other than Ernie Banks himself will be on it.
I think Brendan Burke's example made a lot of people realize that they don't really have an option to sit on the sidelines. You don't necessarily have to march in the Pride Parade, but when you look around at friends and family and teammates, and realize that "they" have become "we", you can't pretend that it has nothing to do with you any more, and you have to decide to accept it or not accept it. It may not seem so, but next to the quieter acts of simply continuing to be a parent, a brother or sister, or a friend, marching in the Pride Parade is really no big deal.
(but I bet that float will be fabulous)
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:25 PM on June 22, 2010
Perhaps this will lead to gay players coming out -- superstars included. Then again, listening to white male anguish on sports radio, it may take a while.
posted by afl-aba at 08:56 PM on June 22, 2010
Thanks for posting this, NoMich. While mired in a kafkaesque labyrinth of government bureaucracy hell this morning, I overheard a conversation that just made me sigh and shake my head. This is a nice counterblow to that noise. Good on the Sopels, Banks, the Cubs, and the Hawks.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:30 PM on June 22, 2010
That's just awesome. More power to the 'Hawks and Sopel.
posted by Tigginator at 08:07 AM on June 23, 2010
Perhaps this will lead to gay players coming out ...
I'm surprised there are no openly gay players in the four major sports yet. The first one's likely to become extremely famous and make money from endorsements.
posted by rcade at 08:56 AM on June 23, 2010
I am proud of the Black Hawks and the beloved CUBS!!!!!!
posted by jstron at 12:12 PM on June 23, 2010
Thumbs up to Brent Sopel (and his family).
Maple Leaf president & G.M. Brian Burke attended last year's Gay Pride Parade in Toronto with his son Brendan, who was killed in a car crash this past February.
From the article: Sopel also is marching in honor of Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who was killed in a car accident two months after coming out late last year.