Chicago Blackhawks will not wear pride jerseys due to security concerns

Chicago Blackhawk players will not wear pride jerseys during Pride Night game on Sunday

Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean

Sunday March 26, the Chicago Blackhawks will be playing the Vancouver Canucks for their annual Pride Night. 

Typically, NHL team members wear pride-themed jerseys during warmups and decorate their sticks with pride-themed tape. Players are not required to participate in wearing the pride jerseys or using the pride-themed tape. 

However, none of the Blackhawks players will be wearing the pride jerseys on Sunday due to security concerns for Russian players.

A recent amendment to the Russian gay propaganda law has made it illegal to praise, promote, or depict non-heterosexual relationships as a norm in society. 

Since many of the Blackhawks players are Russian natives or have family and other connections in Russia, the team was advised by security officials to not wear the jerseys. 

In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law “for the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating a Denial of Traditional Family Values,” or more commonly known as the gay propaganda law. In December 2022, these laws were expanded. 

Although players will not be wearing the pride jerseys, they will still be celebrating Pride Night on Sunday. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing along with DJ’s from the LGBTQ community. 

Sources:

Press, Associated. “Blackhawks Won't Wear Pride Warmups over Security Concerns.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 23 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35920976/chicago-blackhawks-wear-pride-themed-jerseys. 

“Russian Gay Propaganda Law.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_gay_propaganda_law.