Brock McGillis, widely known as the first openly gay pro hockey player, is pushing back against the claims on the hit HBO series. fierce rivalry It could encourage more NHL LGBTQ players to come out. While McGillis says he enjoys the show, he believes its influence on real-life hockey culture has been exaggerated and may even be counterproductive.
in a recent interview pink newsMcGillis said he “wholeheartedly” disagrees with comments from former NHL player Sean Avery who suggested the series could help pave the way for the league’s first openly gay active player.
“It’s probably going to have a negative impact on the players coming up,” McGillis said. “And I hate negativity because I really enjoy this show. But I don’t think a lot of my hockey buddies watch this show. And if they do, I don’t think they talk about it positively.”
fierce rivalrybased on Rachel Reid’s bestseller game changer The novel follows two fictional NHL superstars who have a secret romantic relationship over the course of eight years. The series, starring Hudson Williams and Connor Story, debuted on HBO Max on November 28th after initially being developed for Canadian streamer Crave. The show quickly built a loyal fanbase and was recently renewed for a second season.
Due to the popularity of the series, Avery, who played several seasons in the NHL before making a fresh start as a romance novelist, suggested that the success of the series might inspire players to live more openly. “heated rivalry If successful, it would open the door for the first gay NHL player,” Avery said. rolling stone last week.
But McGillis says the optimism doesn’t reflect the reality of professional hockey. He came out publicly in 2016 after retiring from his career in the Ontario Hockey League and United Hockey League. Since then, he has become a prominent LGBTQ advocate addressing the issue of homophobia in sports.
“When I went out and interviewed people, no one jumped out of the closet,” McGillis told PinkNews. “No one thinks, ‘Oh, yeah, this came out and I’m ready to go.’ That’s not happening.”
McGillis said homophobia in hockey remains deeply ingrained, often starting at a young age and perpetuating itself into the professional ranks. while he wants fierce rivalry While this may help fans and loved ones better understand gay relationships, we don’t think it will directly impact closeted NHL players coming out.
“If they’re dating someone, it might help those around them understand a little more,” he says. “Hopefully.”
Despite his concerns, McGillis sees a potential source of optimism within hockey culture itself. He argues that because the sport places such a strong emphasis on teamwork and loyalty, if someone comes out publicly, it could work in that player’s favor.
“If players were to come out, hockey players would most likely rally around their teammates more than any other big sport,” McGillis said.
But for now, he cautions against thinking that popularity in pop culture automatically translates into safety or acceptance in real life. meanwhile fierce rivalry McGillis says meaningful change in the NHL will take more than a popular TV series, and a continued effort to challenge long-standing attitudes within the sport.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
