The New York Rangers ditched their plans on Friday night after advertising they would wear LGBTQ+-themed warmup jerseys and use rainbow tape for their seventh annual Pride Night.
The New York Rangers issued a statement that they respected the LGBTQ+ community but also supported “everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs.”
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“Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community, and we are proud to bring attention to important local community organizations as part of another great Pride Night. In keeping with our organization’s core values, we support everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs,” the team said in a statement.
NYC Pride’s Co-Chair Andre Thomas was seen Friday night for the ceremonial puck drop but he reportedly did not know at the time that team had made a change of plans for Pride Night.
His organization released a statement to ESPN about their disappointment of the NY Rangers.
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“NYC Pride was not made aware in advance of our participation in last night’s ceremonial puck drop that Pride jerseys and rainbow tape would not be worn as advertised. We understand and appreciate that this has been a major disappointment to the LGBTQ+ community in New York and beyond,” their statement said.
In recent weeks, other NHL players have rejected the celebration of Pride Night. Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov was seen not wearing an LGBTQ-themed jersey during his team’s Pride Night, citing religious beliefs.
