The Bookie Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Quote Vancouver Canucks forward Emerson Etem was raised in a nonjudgmental household, one that believed in equality for all. That's why Etem, a native of Long Beach, Calif., jumped at the opportunity to march in the 38th annual Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday. "I'm really excited," Etem told NHL.com. "Being from Long Beach, I think Long Beach has the second-most LGBT community next to San Francisco in the world. I come from a very open-minded city, open-minded family. I'm excited to support the cause this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it." It is the fourth straight year the Canucks will participate. With Etem spending the offseason in Vancouver, he said it was an easy decision to be involved. "I knew it [was] coming and it was soon," Etem said. "I was here and I wanted to be a part of it. I've been here all summer. I just think it's a great opportunity to show my support. I've just felt, especially in the hockey community, the more open and the more information that we know about all this, it just gives people who are in the LGBTQ community that maybe play hockey that they're not afraid to participate and show our welcomeness and support for them." The Canucks are one of several teams across the NHL who have participated in such events; last month, Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby and his wife, Brandi, marched in the Capitals Pride Parade. Three years ago, the NHL and NHLPA announced a partnership with the You Can Play Project that formalizes and advances their long-standing commitment to make the NHL the most inclusive professional sports league in the world. You Can Play was co-founded by Patrick Burke, the NHL director of player safety. "The Burke family has done a great job of starting the You Can Play movement," Etem said. "I think hockey has definitely grabbed a hold of it and ran with it. I'm excited for this opportunity. I've been to L.A. Gay Pride [parades] in the past. There have been a few things in Long Beach that I've been a part of. Any time I can come out and show my support, I'm very grateful to be with an organization like the Canucks that is just as open-minded as me. It's just good to see their support and it's good for me to be a part of it." Etem, 24, started last season with the New York Rangers before he was traded to Vancouver on Jan. 8 for forward Nicklas Jensen and a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He was often a healthy scratch and had three assists in 19 games with the Rangers. But a prior working relationship with Canucks coach Willie Desjardins led to a smooth transition; Etem played for Desjardins with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League and had 65 points in 72 games in 2009-10. Etem had seven goals and five assists in 39 games with Vancouver. "For me, it was a tough situation in New York," Etem said. "I didn't have the best camp that I wanted to early on, and it kind of just stuck with me (until) Christmastime. I was quite down. But I knew with Willie, he was my old coach in juniors, just that in itself really helped me, knowing (Canucks forward) Linden Vey and just a couple guys from just around the hockey world, they just were all welcoming. It took some weight off my shoulders and helped me out quite a bit. "It's been kind of a struggle, maybe up and down, in my young career. But the Canucks have given me all the tools and all the support needed to have success. I'm definitely looking to take on the challenge [this season]." https://www.nhl.com/news/emerson-etem-to-participate-in-vancouver-pride-parade/c-281256114 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmylu1 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 This is fabulous news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlwaysACanuckFan Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Considerable respect! What a good character guy Etem is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cramarossa Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Sounds like a kid with a good head on his shoulders. I'm proud to have a person with that kind of character on my favorite team. Now if only the Canucks would create their own Pride shirt!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twilight Sparkle Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 i was raised in a nonjudgemental household too. where's my article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintPatrick33 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Hellz yea Etem! JB sure brings in high character players, hope you pot at least 15 next year Etem! Way to stick up for human rights. I am rootin for ya bud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrago Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I think this is great that Edem is going. But disapointed we still need these things. When are people going to stop caring about other peoples sex lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabiogooseface Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Bring your young kids! It's a family event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vanderhoek Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 3 hours ago, ThrustyPrusty89 said: Sounds like a kid with a good head on his shoulders. I'm proud to have a person with that kind of character on my favorite team. Now if only the Canucks would create their own Pride shirt!!! yeah that Capitals one looks pretty sweet! couldn't get one in time for tomorrow but oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerrDrFunk Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 A fair amount of people are saying on the Canucks' Facebook page that they're going to stop supporting the team over this. Which is hilarious as 1) the Canucks won't miss them and 2) The teams they say they'll cheer for instead are involved in LGBT outreach programs anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlanB Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 5 minutes ago, HerrDrFunk said: A fair amount of people are saying on the Canucks' Facebook page that they're going to stop supporting the team over this. Good, we were due for a good fan-purge anyway. Hopefully these prejudicial losers take some more idiots away with them to Edmonton or Calgary or wherever, and we're left with only open minded, true fans - one can hope, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceGeorgeGoon Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 If your not interested, intimidated or bothered by people celebrating their sexuality... realise just like everyone else , you've got some growing to do. We all grew up different, that had a lot to do with your parents. Today, however you are an adult and as much as you may choose to treat your partner or raise your kids differently than your parents did... you can also decide to stop finding reasons to see people as separate, right or wrong. If it really bothers you , get involved. What you really need is an education that life experience can only provide. The best thing you can do for humanity is to realise were all just people trying to be happy, get a decent job and find love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Marchand Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 15 minutes ago, HerrDrFunk said: A fair amount of people are saying on the Canucks' Facebook page that they're going to stop supporting the team over this. Which is hilarious as 1) the Canucks won't miss them and 2) The teams they say they'll cheer for instead are involved in LGBT outreach programs anyway. I saw a few stupid jokes and a couple of those type of comments there. I say let them leave. Don't want to be associated with homophobes in any way, shape, or form. We need more people like Etem in our society. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanuck Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 3 minutes ago, PrinceGeorgeGoon said: Today, however you are an adult This is CDC, not everyone's an adult as you'll learn. Good for the Canucks and EE. Wonder how that conversation went for the team? Email sent to the guys, group text, message on whiteboard in team gym, Willy asked a few guys....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceGeorgeGoon Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 3 minutes ago, Fanuck said: This is CDC, not everyone's an adult as you'll learn. Good for the Canucks and EE. Wonder how that conversation went for the team? Email sent to the guys, group text, message on whiteboard in team gym, Willy asked a few guys....? Well at the end of the year when the canucks were between a tank and salvaging some dignity... it was a time to see who could step up, what they were really made of. Call it late , call it clutch but Etem showed up. It's possible attending a pride parade is not the canucks most desirable act of humanitariaism but it speaks volumes about Etem. I'm cheering for Etem. One of the hardest battles you will fight is to get over yourself, call it humility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam126 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 1 hour ago, HerrDrFunk said: A fair amount of people are saying on the Canucks' Facebook page that they're going to stop supporting the team over this. Which is hilarious as 1) the Canucks won't miss them and 2) The teams they say they'll cheer for instead are involved in LGBT outreach programs anyway. Good. They are a cancer anyway. I'm so glad we got a great character guy in Etem. Sticking up for gay rights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger-Hearted Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Happy Pride Day to all LGBT Canucks fans and great on Emerson. The one parade Vancouver REALLY needs, though, is a Stanley Cup Victory Parade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Made the mistake of reading beyond the first post. Should have known better. (edit: various posts deleted, but the point still stands...v) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erkayloomeh Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I've got a couple question. Do gay people have more rights than heterosexual people? Why do they need a parade ? Am I allowed to be proud that I am heterosexual? If I am proud to be heterosexual does that mean I'm a bigot? Will we have to have separate dressing rooms in 20 years? That's the trend in schools isn't it? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Maybe keep it simple? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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