NYC pride organization says Rangers’ last-minute decision to ditch LBGTQ+ jerseys a ‘major disappointment’

After beforehand promoting they’d put on LGBTQ+-themed warmup jerseys and use rainbow tape for his or her seventh annual Pride Night, New York Rangers gamers reversed course.

The staff did have NYC Pride Co-Chair Andre Thomas for the ceremonial puck drop, however he was unaware the staff made a last-minute decision on one thing it has completed earlier years.

When requested why they ditched the jerseys, the Rangers gave Fox News Media the next assertion:

“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.”

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Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers sports activities a particular jersey throughout warmups in honor of Pride Night prior to a sport towards the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden May 3, 2021, in New York City.
(Jared Silber/NHLI through Getty Images)

However, the absence of the jerseys and tape was a evident omission for NYC Pride, and the organization launched the next assertion to ESPN:

“In recent years, numerous National Hockey League (NHL) franchises including the New York Rangers have introduced a series of ‘Pride Nights’ to engage the LGBTQ+ community.

“NYC Pride has been honored to participate in these celebrations, together with as not too long ago as final night time at Madison Square Garden. NYC Pride was not made conscious upfront of our participation in final night time’s ceremonial puck drop that Pride jerseys and rainbow tape wouldn’t be worn as marketed. We perceive and admire that this has been a main disappointment to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood in New York and past.

Rainbow-colored lights are projected onto the ceiling of Madison Square Garden to have a good time Pride Night earlier than a sport between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 24, 2022, in New York City. 
(Brad Penner/Getty Images)

RANGERS BAIL ON WEARING LGBTQ-THEMED WARMUP JERSEYS ON PRIDE NIGHT

“We are communicating these concerns with NY Rangers and NHL leadership as we continue to discuss the ways these organizations can work toward inclusion. NYC Pride has a duty to both support our partners and hold them accountable. We are committed to continuing our relationships with the NY Rangers and the NHL and maintaining substantive dialogue with them about meaningful allyship with the LGBTQ+ community.”

One participant informed the New York Post he did not know why the jerseys weren’t worn. The staff made a contribution to the Ali Forney Center, an company devoted to homeless youths within the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

Rangers pride jerseys have been auctioned for charity every of the final two seasons.

Zac Jones of the New York Rangers skates with a stick adorned for “Pride Night” in warmups prior to a sport towards the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden May 3, 2021, in New York City. 
(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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This comes lower than two weeks after Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov didn’t put on an LGBTQ-themed jersey throughout his staff’s Pride Night, citing spiritual beliefs.

“I respect everybody, and I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov told reporters after the Jan. 17 sport. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”