LGBTQ+ community recognition nights continue to struggle in the NHL. James Reimer, goaltender for the San Jose Sharks, justified at length this Saturday his decision not to wear a jersey specially designed for the event. To do this, he invoked his Christian faith.
Tour teams organize different celebrations throughout the season to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. One of the strong elements of these evenings is the wearing of a special jersey during the warm-up period.
Over the past few months, teams have encountered resistance within their roster. In Philadelphia, defenseman Ivan Provorov was the first to cause controversy by refusing to take part in the warm-up period, justifying his decision by his religious beliefs.
In Manhattan and Minnesota, among other places, no one wore the rainbow sweater, although this initiative was planned.
In San Jose this Saturday, goaltender James Reimer impersonated Ivan Provorov and did not participate in the warm-up. He released a statement in which he explained that he was “a Christian, not just on paper, but in the way I choose to live my daily life.”
“I have no hatred for anyone, and I have always treated the people I have met with respect and kindness,” he added. In this specific case, I chose not to endorse something that is contrary to my personal beliefs which are based on the Bible, life’s greatest authority. »
“I strongly believe that every person has value, and the LGBTQ+ community, like all others, should be welcomed into all aspects of hockey. »
To San Jose reporters, who relayed his remarks on social media, he explained that he found wearing a rainbow sweater to be too intrusive.
He then explained that the way he and his loved ones “interpret the Bible”, he says he is ready to “love” members of the LGBTQ+ community, without however “supporting this activity or this way of life”.
Sharks captain Logan Couture said he and most of his teammates were “excited” to wear the jersey, but that “everyone is entitled to their choices” and that Reimer made his own.