HERE’S SOME CONTEXT FOR THE TAPE CONTROVERSY!
For those who don’t know or haven’t heard, during the summer, the NHL made an announcement that players would cease wearing special jerseys during warm-ups for “theme nights.” These nights traditionally showcase support for diverse groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, Indigenous groups, the military, and cancer awareness. However, as the NHL geared up for a new season, they issued a memo extending the ban to include Pride Tape, indicating that players are prohibited from using it at any point.
This sudden change in policy followed instances from the previous season where some NHL players garnered attention for declining to wear Pride Night-themed jerseys due to religious or personal beliefs.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman explained that the previous year, the focus on who wanted to wear specific uniforms on designated nights overshadowed the positive efforts of the clubs. By removing themed jerseys from the equation, the league aims to reduce distractions. However, the ban itself has attracted significant attention, with reports about the policy initially emerging from outlets such as Outsports and ESPN.
For seven years, rainbow-themed Pride Tape has been an integral part of professional ice hockey, representing the sport’s commitment to inclusivity and openness. The NHL’s recent prohibition of this athletic tape has triggered a swift and strong backlash.
What exactly is Pride Tape? Is it a new thing?
For those of you who don’t know what Pride Tape is, in 2015, a Kickstarter campaign provided support for Pride Tape, offering a straightforward means to inspire LGBTQ+ young individuals to engage in team sports.
The tape features vibrant, multicolored blocks, providing an alternative to the conventional white or black tape commonly used by hockey players on their sticks. The company emphasizes that it is crafted from a high-performance cotton blend cloth dyed with a special formula designed to endure rigorous use in hockey and various other sports.
This versatile tape can be applied not only to hockey sticks but also to a range of sports equipment, including shafts, bats, rackets, handlebars, and more. Within a few months of its production launch, Pride Tape found its way onto the sticks of NHL players. It also gained popularity in peewee hockey leagues, where one team’s young players reportedly used the tape to express solidarity with their coach.
“The multicolored Pride Tape swiftly became an entrenched aspect of hockey culture,” as stated on the NHL’s website in a 2021 article. In early 2016, the Edmonton Oilers embraced this tape to show support for young LGBTQ+ athletes, helping them persevere in ice hockey despite the challenges of homophobia and discrimination.
The NHL integrated Pride Tape into its teams’ Pride Night festivities and even made it available for purchase in its official league shop. This tape played a role in outreach initiatives like “Hockey Is For Everyone.” However, the NHL’s new policy has raised questions, with the You Can Play project responding, “If Hockey is for Everyone, this is not the way forward.”
The You Can Play project, a longstanding NHL partner since at least 2013, has worked diligently to foster a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans. Yet, they express concern that the NHL is now retreating from its once-pioneering efforts in 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion.
What are some reactions within pro hockey?
Critics argue that the league’s choice is regressive, and prominent players express their disgruntlement. In defiance of the ban, at least one athlete has declared their intention to continue using the vibrant tape.
On Wednesday, October 11th, 2023, Scott Laughton, a forward for the Philadelphia Flyers, discussed how he would mark his team’s Pride Night by saying, “I’ll employ the tape, even if it means purchasing it out of my own pocket.” Co-founder of Pride Tape, Kristopher Wells, responded, “We will send Scott and his teammates all the free Pride Tape they want.”
Several NHL players expressed their disagreement with the ban, yet they intend to abide by the league’s regulations. Neither the NHL nor the NHL Players’ Association provided comments in response to NPR’s inquiries about the ban.
“It’s disheartening,” expressed Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, echoing his disappointment when questioned about the new prohibition. He went on to say, “This is a cause I hold dear and would like to endorse, but we must adapt and discover alternative ways to show our support.” Reflecting on the controversy surrounding rainbow-colored tape and jerseys, he remarked, “It’s a sensitive issue for some, and though I may not comprehend why, it remains so.”
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly conveyed, “It’s regrettable.” He later emphasized, “Whatever the official statement may be, as players, we’re committed to providing support and standing as allies. We aim to remain an integral part of this community.”
Brian Burke, a former NHL executive who has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in hockey, characterized the new policy as “an unexpected and significant setback.”
Luke Prokop, an openly gay hockey player and a prospect within the Nashville Predators organization, expressed his disappointment over some teams canceling pride nights due to player opposition. He asserted, “Pride nights are a crucial step in fostering greater acceptance and comprehension within the realm of hockey.” Prokop later added, “As someone who aspires to join an NHL team one day, I want to enter the locker room knowing that I can wholeheartedly share all aspects of my identity with my teammates.”
Photo Credit: Pride Tape on IG