NikiShiz Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Found this article on the web and thought it was interesting! Have a look. In June, Russia’s parliament passed a law banning “gay propaganda,” and some activists suggested boycotting the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics in response. But that idea hasn’t caught on, with those making the case against it arguing that pro-LGBT athletes and fans would have more influence by participating in the Games while using them as an opportunity to speak out against the Russian laws. Image by Sasha Mordovets / Getty Images Meanwhile, just last week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced his decision to allow the league’s players to participate in the upcoming Olympics. This means many of the most famous athletes in Sochi will be hockey players. And that’s noteworthy because the NHL and the NHL players’ union are the professional athletic organizations most closely affiliated with You Can Play, an advocacy group dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in sports. Image by Dave Sandford / Getty Images At the crossroad of all this is the Vancouver Canucks’ Ryan Kesler. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Michigan native was tied with Patrick Kane for the second most ice time among U.S. forwards, helping Team USA advance to the gold medal game, where he scored a goal. He’s a lock for the 2014 team if he can stay healthy. He also happens to be a vocal supporter of gay rights, having been specifically picked by You Can Play co-founder Patrick Burke to be a part of the campaign. Image by Christian Petersen / Getty Images The reason he was picked is simple: Kesler is straight, he’s macho, and he’s respected by nearly everyone in the league. So when he got behind the You Can Play campaign, it made a difference. So now the question becomes, can he do it again in Sochi? Does he even want to? We’ve put in requests for comment with Kesler’s agent, the Canucks, and to Kesler himself via Twitter, and will update this post when and if we receive a response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Nevermind that crap, the US could ban Sochi altogether because of Snowden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Faulk Yourself Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 As I said in Niki's status. "One of the most respected NHL players". I lol'd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nino Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Shouldn't it be a gay player? If no player that's gay steps up then they shouldn't have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keslerific Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 As I said in Niki's status. "One of the most respected NHL players". I lol'd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I respect Kes ='( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Faulk Yourself Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I respect Kes ='( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Shouldn't it be a gay player? If no player that's gay steps up then they shouldn't have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 The Soviet and Yank regimes will never answer to what they have done and really do to the world. Let them go and play hockey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilduce39 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I love kes but my head isn't in the sand far enough to say the rest of the league feels the same way. The diving, whining, posing nude next to giant blocks of ice probably don't help much in the "respect" department... ...if he takes this on, however, it would be a pretty cool step in that direction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pinchin Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I'll respect Kesler if this season, he can prove me that he's no longer a diver, whiner, and can at least stay uninjured for a majority of the season. He's still one of my favourite players, but at times it's hard to like the man when all he does is what I stated above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pinchin Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Shouldn't it be a gay player? If no player that's gay steps up then they shouldn't have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avicii Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I'll respect Kesler if this season, he can prove me that he's no longer a diver, whiner, and can at least stay uninjured for a majority of the season. He's still one of my favourite players, but at times it's hard to like the man when all he does is what I stated above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Really? So only gay people should stand up for gay rights? C'mon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Good for kes. Mad respect. He isn't respected by everyone though... lets be honest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Faulk Yourself Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Don't see how you could dis-respect someone for being hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Faulk Yourself Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I literally couldn't care less whether you respect Kesler or not, fact is, he is respected around the league despite your inability to see past his role on our roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLASSJAW Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Should be Raymond I bet the gay community would love that, after they hear how often he goes down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absent Canuck Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Good for kes. Mad respect. He isn't respected by everyone though... lets be honest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I didn't realize gay rights supporters were so thinned out among athletes that they need a "face" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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