Coquitlam hockey team hosts first Pride Night
Posted January 27, 2023 2:05 pm.
Last Updated January 27, 2023 2:07 pm.
A Coquitlam hockey team is hosting its first Pride Night on Friday.
The Coquitlam Express, a Junior “A” hockey team, is set to play the Cowichan Valley Capitals at 7 p.m.
“In support of the Express’ mission to drive social change and foster inclusivity, their first-ever Pride Night will highlight the work many people, groups and organizations are doing to promote inclusion and acceptance in the community,” the team says in a release.
The Coquitlam Express hockey team is set to host its first Pride Night on Friday. (Photo courtesy Coquitlam Express)
Tali Cambell, the CEO and general manager of the team, says the night is an important step in promoting acceptance of all people.
“Everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated with the same respect, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or how they self-identity,” Campbell said.
“Everyone has the right to feel accepted wherever they go, and we have a duty to our players, our fans and ourselves to be the voice of acceptance and to showcase to our community that everyone is respected and welcome here.”
IT’S GAMEDAY!
| January 27th
| 7:00 PM
| Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex
| Cowichan Capitals
| HockeyTV| https://t.co/olSO5SGXXL#FullSteamAhead | #RunThisTown pic.twitter.com/4pdWBt7SGh
— Coquitlam Express (@BCHLExpress) January 27, 2023
Campbell tells CityNews players will have the option to use Pride-themed tape on their hockey sticks, and special balloons and signage will be put up in the arena.
He adds “messages throughout the game will be publicized for inclusion and acceptance.”
The team says it has also been considering plans to make its locker rooms and spectator culture more accepting.
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Meanwhile, Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson says she is planning on going to the game.
“I’m very proud of our local junior hockey team. The work that Tali Campbell is doing with these young men is outstanding,” Robinson said.
“I think we need to encourage young men and young people to be the best human beings they can possibly be. And so having a Pride night, that says, ‘everybody is welcome, sports [are] there for everybody.'”
Robinson says Pride night is just one step in the right direction in fighting hatred.
“We know that hatred is real, we know that transphobia, homophobia is real, that that doesn’t belong in hockey,” she said.
“As a community, we come together to celebrate the differences, the diversity, that everybody has a place to belong. And junior hockey is a great place to do that.”
With files from Cole Schisler
