Every year I notice the controversy that comes with this month. There are always the classic homophobic comments and the favorite "Why isn't there a straight pride month?" Don't get me started on that one.
The one controversy I noticed the most happens when the NHL changes its logo to the pride colors. Every NHL social media account gets flooded with comments that make me sick. Some comments are pure hate and others are just excuses. I'll show you what I mean.
This is a comment I read on Facebook after the logo was changed "US straight folk need a symbol to plaster all over every organization in the world to force our relationship status and sexual preference all over town!"
Wait, it gets better.
"I mean seriously straight people have just been living their lives the way we choose for but we never felt the need to shove it everywhere keep your sexual orientation for the bedroom!"
I am going to break this quote down.
First off, when this woman started out with "US straight folk.." I knew I had to write about this.
Then comes the whole we need a symbol spiel, well you know what lady we have one, it's called privilege. I can walk into anywhere I want and scream "I am straight" and no one would care.
I don't feel like I have to hide my identity because of what someone might say or do.
Then she continues on with the whole straight people living their lives and not shoving their sexuality down people's throats. I would just like to know where she lives because I have seen straight people shove their sexuality everywhere.
I would just like to let every straight person know every time you tell someone being gay, bisexual or being who they are is wrong that is shoving your way of living down their throats.
Now comes the comments saying "I come here for hockey, not politics." Weird because out of all the people who commented on this I didn't see them complaining about all the military appreciation nights or the honoring of soldiers at games.
That is all politics, but they don't seem to mind as long as the political stance is one they support.
"Well changing the logo doesn't do anything." Maybe it doesn't for the people who comment this, but it can make all the difference for that one kid at home who loves hockey.
That one kid can feel included, they now know their favorite sport supports them. No fan should feel excluded, no kid who just wants to play hockey should feel like they can't because of who they are.
Hockey is for everyone. Those who don't like it can put a puck in it and go find another sport to watch.