The National Hockey League (NHL) reversed its ban on the use of Pride Tape after players protested the decision, saying they would use it anyway. Hockey players in the United States and Canada are now allowed to use colourful tape on their hockey sticks to represent social causes.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 24, the league said: “After consultation with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.”
This announcement reverses the previous decision the NHL made on Tuesday, October 10, when the league said athletes were no longer permitted to decorate their hockey sticks with rainbow Pride tape during games or practice.
The decision sparked outrage, with several hockey players calling the ban ridiculous and misguided and many protesting by continuing to use the tape despite the ban. After the protests, the NHL decided to reverse its decision and issued a statement which said players now have the option to use Pride tape. The reversal of the policy was met with celebrations from fans across the league.
NHL statement on symbolic tape in support of social causes. pic.twitter.com/BJN0hAde2W
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 24, 2023
For the past seven years, the practice of putting Pride tape on hockey sticks has been common within the NHL leagues. The goal of the tape is to send a message of allyship and solidarity to young LGBTQ+ athletes who face homophobia and discrimination within the sport.
The first player to publicly protest and use the tape despite the ban was Arizona Coyotes’ Travis Dermott, an ally who has LGBTQ+ family members.
Dermott said: “It’s something that I’ve felt has been lacking in the hockey community for a while. I feel like we need supporters of a movement like this; to have everyone feel included and really to beat home the idea that hockey is for everyone…I’d be lying if I said I haven’t shed tears about this on multiple occasions”
I just noticed Travis Dermott is quietly using @PrideTape tonight! This is what allyship looks like folks! #Yotes #HockeyISforEveryone pic.twitter.com/jBN50q5IiW
— Trent Leith 🏳️🌈 (@trentl14) October 21, 2023
We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We are extremely happy that NHL players will now have the option to voluntarily represent important social causes with their stick tape throughout season. @nhl @NHLPA pic.twitter.com/XjmQUZkMbD
— Pride Tape (@PrideTape) October 24, 2023
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