The Utah Grizzlies are proud to celebrate Pride.
The pro hockey club held its annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night over the weekend, defeating the Wichita Thunder by a score of 5-4. The team rallied with three goals in the third period for the come-from-behind win.
It was a thrilling night of hockey at the Maverik Center in West Valley City. Forward Brandon Cutler scored the game-winner, and celebrated in kind!
It was a performance that fit the occasion.
The Grizzlies take Pride Night seriously, now hosting the event for three years in a row. When they held their inaugural Pride Night in 2021, they became the first pro hockey team in Utah to celebrate its LGBTQ+ fans.
The Grizzlies, who consult with the Utah Pride Center for the now-annual event, aim to make the night an inclusive and educational experience.
“My goal is to use this platform at the Grizzlies to bring together 8,000 community members, allies, and fans while creating a safe, inclusive space for all,” said a team exec.
The night was a rousing success before the puck was even dropped. The Grizzlies donned some sweet rainbow sweaters during warmups, complete with a rainbow grizzly claw.
Fans on social media agree the jerseys are 🔥🔥🔥.
Many even want their own!
Must get!!!!!
— S.P (@WinterFangs) November 11, 2023
Hello @UtahGrizzlies I need one of these. Let me give you money
— Bobussy (@iamthebobkat) November 11, 2023
Fire! I love them!
— Christina Hart (@ChristieHartCO) November 12, 2023
At first glance, it may seem surprising that a hockey team based in West Valley City, Utah goes all out for Pride. Utah, a conservative Mormon state, isn’t usually known for its embrace of the rainbow.
But that narrow view fails to acknowledge the widespread success of sports Pride Nights. Nearly every NHL and NBA club hold some sort of LGBTQ+ inclusion night, and the same can be said for MLB. In fact, the Texas Rangers are the only MLB team that’s never held a Pride event.
While there have been multiple Pride-related controversies in sports recently, the nights are very popular.
Look no further than the Los Angeles Dodgers, who withstood weeks of right-wing backlash over their decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, only to sell over 49,000 tickets for the game itself.
There is also a strong tradition of pro teams in small markets championing LGBTQ+ inclusivity, much to the delight of their fans. Earlier this year, we spotlighted the Missoula Paddleheads, a pro baseball team in Montana that also gets Pride right.
Despite playing in a conservative state, the Paddleheads stress diversity and inclusivity. One of the chief architects of the team’s Pride extravaganza told Queerty fans are on board with the their commitment.
And if they’re not, they’re free to leave. She recalled an incident earlier in the season when a homophobic fan approached the owner’s box and railed against the Pride initiative.
Owner Peter Davis told the fan he wasn’t welcome to attend games anymore.
The Grizzlies appear to take on a similar attitude. They routinely promote Pride on their social media channels, and their fans respond!
This year’s Pride Night also coincided with Pups Night. We’re sure that was just a coincidence, right? Either way, woof!
Those sweaters are fiiiine…
The Grizzlies’ all-in approach to Pride stands in stark contrast to the NHL’s bungling of the issue. Before the season, the league announced it was banning players from wearing rainbow jerseys or using Pride tape — a staple around the NHL.
It took just a couple of weeks for the league to rescind the ruling, however. Arizona Coyotes player Travis Dermott defied the league and used Pride tape, anyway.
Less than 10 players refused to wear rainbow jerseys last year; and yet, the NHL was following their lead when it comes to dictating policy.
The Grizzlies, of course, made no such mistake. They were out and proud in their rainbow best Saturday, and walked away winners.
Let that be a lesson to all! Pump up Pride, and enjoy the W.
dbmcvey
Wow! Go Grizzlies!
abfab
An absolutely fabulous design!
Thad
Minor league hockey is currently more LGBT friendly than the NHL. The Grizzlies play in the third-tier ECHL, which is also nationwide. Above them is the AHL, with teams like the Syracuse Crunch having very successful Pride nights and equally cool rainbow jerseys.
xnetminder
I went to the Syracuse Crunch Pride not a few years ago… not only a great game but as you said, the rainbow game jerseys were WOW. They were auctioned off for charity.
Fahd
Kudos to the Utah Grizzlies. The design is very effective and they should do well in the gift shop, especially if it does online sales.
This kind of down in the trenches support helps immeasurably in the culture wars. Replace denial with love and acceptance; I love the message!
abfab
LOVE
Baron Wiseman
Why does the LGBT community get their own night? We don’t represent hockey in great numbers.
How about…
Christian Pride Night (there are certainly more Christians there than LGBTQIA+)
When is Palestinian Pride Night (you know, “From the river to the sea….”
Vaccination Day (“Get your vaccines here!”)
Gender Pronouns Day
Donald Trump 2024 Night (after all he won more than 58% of the Utah electorate in 2020, certainly more than LGBT in attendance)
Second Amendment Appreciation Night
Military Recruitment Night
Abortion Acknowledgement Night (very topical)
This could go on and on…you get the narcissistic idea.
Ironically, the same people that are angrily demanding you tolerate and accept their way of life HATE you passionately for yours.
ZzBomb
“Ironically, the same people that are angrily demanding you tolerate and accept their way of life HATE you passionately for yours.”
It is ironic. Ironic you’re saying such a thing when we could roll the tapes on all the vile, insipid, and hateful things you’ve said here about the same community you claim to be part of.
There used to be some proverb about casting stones…. hmmmmmmm!?
Baron Wiseman
@ZzBomb
Then “roll the tapes.” I don’t believe I have said, “vile, inspid and hateful things.” I try to be measured, honest and factual. Perhaps I say things you don’t understand or have never heard in your insular world.
dbmcvey
Because it’s a good promotion for the team. It’s capitalism.
dbmcvey
Also, you certainly have said vile, insipid and hateful things. You’re not measured or factual. You just post right-wing propaganda from your own insular world.
Baron Wiseman
@dbmcvey
Your words are cheap and empty. Like I said, “roll the tapes.” Put up or shut up. (That means supply the evidence.)
Diplomat
“Gender pronoun day”? Shirley you jest. That one issue has destroyed Ts and NBs insertion into American society and smeared LGBs legacy along the way.
People on all fronts are severiy pissed and offering considerable backlash at their arrogant autocratic ways. Forced speech will never fly for any length of time in an America democracy, no matter how much Ts jello dollars get thrown at society’s wall. Best take those facist Trumpian ways out of America.