Oilers Tape Up To Show Support

Every now and then an unexpected group of people will stand up for LGBTQ inclusion and equality in such a way that gives me hope in this world again. This time it's the Edmonton Oilers. 

The Oilers have become the first NHL team to openly show support for the LGBTQ community, specifically LGBTQ youth. They recently took part in the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services at the University of Alberta's Pride Tape initiative. According to the kickstarter page for Pride Tape,

"Pride Tape is a badge of support from the teammates, coaches, parents and pros to young LGBTQ players. It shows every player that they belong on the ice. That we’re all on the same team. And we need your help to make it a reality.

When Pride Tape is up and running, proceeds will support LGBTQ youth outreach initiatives, such as You Can Play and the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services. That means every roll of tape will make an impact on and off the ice."

On Sunday, during their annual Skills Competition, the Oilers took to the ice with their sticks wrapped with the rainbow Pride Tape. They furthered their support for the Pride Tape initiative by donating $8,000 to become a founding partner. That donation alone will produce 10,000 rolls of tape for other hockey teams. The initiative hopes to expand to other sports as well. 

According to Oiler's defenseman, Andrew Ference, everyone on the team is "proud to play for a team and city that supports diversity and human rights." 

Frankly, I think this idea is genius. Too many youths in the LGBTQ community think they have to choose between giving up sports or hiding who they are in order to play. This initiative is a simple and subtle way for teams to show their support and let LGBTQ youth know it's completely ok to be themselves and still play sports. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but my NHL team has always been the Anaheim Ducks. However, after this awesome display I may have to rethink that decision. 

HRC Endorsement Disappointment

If you pay any attention to US politics then you are probably aware the political parties are in the middle of their decision making process to choose their candidates for presidency. Meaning a lot of debates, speeches, and media attention is currently on all the nominees running. Today the news broke that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBT organization in the US, has endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. 

However, myself and many others are finding issue with this decision. Clinton has a history of being against the LGBT community including being an advocate against same-sex marriage during her time as First Lady when she publicly supported her husband signing DOMA into law, then later as a senator of New York, and as a 2008 presidential candidate. She didn't speak favorable of same-sex marriage until 2013. Since then she's barely done anything for the LGBT community outside a speech or two.  

Now I'm not saying people can't change and become more accepting, but what causes me to be weary of Hillary is the fact that she's never explained why she changed her mind. She merely says she "evolved". Alright, that's great but why? Without a real explanation, how can we as voters and citizens be sure she's being sincere and not just trying to win votes? Perhaps everyday people don't need to explain themselves, but when you are gunning to become the next leader of our country we deserve answers. 

Frankly, the candidate myself and many others believe the HRC should have endorsed is Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders has a long standing history of fighting for the LGBT community and standing as an ally. During the 1970's, when he ran for office in Vermont (both 1972 and 1976), Sanders proposed abolishing the laws that discriminate based on sexuality. Following that in 1983, during his time as mayor of Burlington, VT, he backed the first pride parade the city ever had and supported the Organizing Committee of the Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration's proclamation to make June 25 Lesbian and Gay Pride Day. His record with the LGBT community only improves from there as he is the only 2016 candidate who can say they voted against DOMA in 1996. In 1999, he voted against an amendment that would have made it illegal in Washington, D.C. for same-sex couples to adopt children. Following that, Sanders supported Vermont's civil union law in 2000 and the state's legalization of same-sex marriage in 2009. He pushed President Obama to support same-sex marriage back in 2011, and in 2013 co-sponsored the Uniting Families Act which would've allowed partners of legal US citizens stay in the country as legal residents. 

My point with all these facts is simple. Hillary Clinton's rocky past has me skeptical of equality's future in the US if she's elected. However, Bernie Sanders has always fought for and stood with the LGBT community. Frankly, I believe the HRC made a mistake with their endorsement. 

To find out more on Senator Sanders envolvment in the LGBT Community-

http://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-lgbtq-rights/