On Thursday, TD Garden will shine with rainbow lights as the Boston Bruins host their annual Hockey Is for Everyone night, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The event, which has taken place for nearly a decade, aims to promote inclusivity in hockey and raise funds for the Boston Pride Hockey league. This year, the celebration is particularly significant due to the popularity of the HBO series “Heated Rivalry,” which portrays a romantic relationship between two closeted professional hockey players.
The show has surged in popularity, drawing attention not only from the LGBTQ+ community but also from mainstream audiences, positioning it as a cultural phenomenon. Despite the National Hockey League (NHL) never having an openly gay player in its over 100-year history, “Heated Rivalry” has sparked conversations about representation and acceptance in the sport.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the show’s impact, stating, “We’re well aware of ‘Heated Rivalry.’ In terms of embracing it, I think it’s a wonderful story.” He also emphasized the importance of balancing the show’s content for younger viewers. The series has become a sensation, prompting local events and merchandise featuring its fictional teams, the Boston Raiders and Montreal Voyagers.
With the buzz surrounding “Heated Rivalry,” some hope it will encourage LGBTQ+ players to come out in a sport that has historically been resistant to such openness. While many believe that a viral show may not directly lead to players revealing their identities, the increased visibility of LGBTQ+ stories in hockey could foster a more accepting environment.
“It’s a personal decision,” said Jim Buzinski, co-founder of the LGBTQ+ sports news website Outsports. He highlighted the hurdles that LGBTQ+ individuals face in accepting their identities, particularly in professional sports. Most athletes who come out, such as NFL running back Dave Kopay and NBA player Jason Collins, have done so after retirement. In hockey, Luke Prokop became the first openly gay player under contract in the NHL but has yet to play in a regular-season game.
The cultural shift suggested by “Heated Rivalry” could help change attitudes within the NHL, according to Edward Kian, a professor at Chowan University. He noted that if fans and players can accept the possibility of gay athletes within the league, it might encourage more individuals to come out.
Hockey’s traditionally aggressive and hypermasculine culture presents challenges for LGBTQ+ players. “If you think about it in terms of a tribe or even a militaristic sense, you want continuity between the players,” said Jett Stone, a clinical psychologist and former hockey player. Misconceptions equating being gay with weakness can deter players from revealing their identities.
Many LGBTQ+ youths who love hockey eventually leave the sport due to homophobic environments. Kevin Corsino, a member of the Boston Pride Hockey league, shared his experience of feeling alienated due to locker room banter. After discovering Boston Pride Hockey, he found a welcoming atmosphere that reignited his passion for the game.
Other players, like Jackie Farnham, also left hockey due to the prevalence of homophobic slurs. His return to the ice with Boston Pride Hockey allowed him to play without the fear of sacrificing his identity. Since the show has premiered, Corsino has received inquiries from LGBTQ+ individuals interested in returning to hockey, expressing optimism that “Heated Rivalry” will positively influence attitudes toward inclusivity in the sport.
The NHL has made efforts to promote acceptance, collaborating with organizations such as You Can Play, which advocates for LGBTQ+ representation in sports. Teams also engage in Hockey Is for Everyone nights, aiming to foster inclusivity across various demographics.
Despite some setbacks, including a controversial decision to ban Pride-themed jerseys, the NHL remains committed to creating a more welcoming environment. Following backlash from players, the league reversed its decision, allowing teams to wear jerseys supporting LGBTQ+ causes.
“Heated Rivalry” has garnered more attention than traditional inclusivity efforts, potentially encouraging players at all levels to feel safer expressing their identities. Cheryl Cooky, a professor of American Studies at Purdue University, remarked that the show reaches audiences beyond the LGBTQ+ community. She hopes it will lead to cultural shifts that allow individuals to authentically be themselves in sports settings.
Even if the series does not result in NHL players coming out, it has provided a narrative that resonates with the LGBTQ+ community. “The show has given us a fairy tale romance,” Buzinski stated. “Straight people have had fairy tale romances forever. Finally, we have one.”
As the Boston Bruins celebrate Hockey Is for Everyone night, the intersection of sports and LGBTQ+ representation continues to evolve, with “Heated Rivalry” at the forefront of this cultural shift.
