SAN JOSE — San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer stated right this moment the Satisfaction-themed jerseys staff members are planning to put on to indicate help of the LGBTQIA+ group runs counter to his private non secular convictions.
For that purpose, he received’t be taking part within the staff’s pregame warmup, with the Sharks set to face the New York Islanders at SAP Middle
Listed below are statements from Reimer, the Sharks, and the You Can Play Venture.
James Reimer
Beneath the umbrella of the NHL’s Hockey is for Everybody initiative, the San Jose Sharks have chosen to put on jerseys in help of the LGBTQIA+ group tonight.
For all 13 years of my NHL profession, I’ve been a Christian – not simply in title, however in how I select to reside my life each day. I’ve a private religion in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to like everybody and observe Him.
I’ve no hate in my coronary heart for anybody, and I’ve all the time strived to deal with everybody that I encounter with respect and kindness. On this particular occasion, I’m selecting to not endorse one thing that’s counter to my private convictions that are based mostly on the Bible, the best authority in my life.
I strongly imagine that each particular person has worth and price, and the LGBTQIA+ group, like all others, must be welcomed in all elements of the sport of hockey.
San Jose Sharks
Persevering with a long-standing dedication of allyship with the LGBTQIA+ group, Sharks Sports activities & Leisure is extraordinarily proud to host our 2023 Sharks Satisfaction Night time. This week’s occasions, culminating with tonight’s recreation in opposition to the New York Islanders, reinforce our group’s values and dedication to an inclusive, welcoming, and protected atmosphere for all visitors in every of our venues.
As we promote these requirements, we additionally acknowledge and settle for the rights of people to specific themselves, together with how or whether or not they select to specific their beliefs, whatever the trigger or matter.
As a corporation, we won’t waver in our help of the LGBTQIA+ group and proceed to encourage others to interact in energetic allyship.
You Can Play Venture
Wanting again over our 11 years of working with the NHL, we’re so appreciative of groups just like the Sharks internet hosting pleasure nights and all of the gamers, workers, followers, and group that help the visibility and welcoming of the LGBTQ+ group to hockey. We hope the press and story focuses on the progress made and celebration of that effort over anybody attempting to remove from the message of the occasion.
Faith and respect should not in battle with one another, and we’re actually disenchanted when faith is used as a purpose to not help our group. Carrying pleasure jerseys, like all celebration jersey worn, isn’t concerning the private emotions of an athlete; moderately the communication from the staff {that a} group is welcome within the area and the game. Within the well-chosen phrases of Brian Burke, “In different phrases: As disenchanted as I’m, it’s vital that individuals notice these are setbacks of a minor nature, for my part, by way of the place we’re versus the place we have been 12 years in the past…And I don’t assume anybody ought to lose sight of that.”
