The Hero We Need: NHL Player Refuses to Wear Rainbow Pride Night Jersey to 'Stay True to Myself and My Religion'

Robert Spencer-Opinion : Jan 18, 2023
PJ Media

"I respect everyone. I respect everybody's choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion." -Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov

[PJMedia.com] The demand for tolerance long ago became the demand that we all endorse the Left's values and mores. The Philadelphia Flyers NHL team accordingly aroused no controversy when it designated Tuesday its "annual Pride Night celebration." All the sports teams have them now, although for some reason they've been slower to adopt Anger Night, Lust Night, and Sloth Night. The team, however, found that not everyone was willing to play along with the Left's totalitarian bullying. Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to don the Flyers' special rainbow gear for the night, citing his Russian Orthodox faith as the reason. It takes courage to make oneself a target for the wrath of the intolerant woke fascists; in this age of pandemic cowardice, Provorov has made a heroic stand. (Screengrab image)

"Prior to the game," the Flyers announced happily on Tuesday, Flyers players will wear special Pride-themed warmup jerseys and use warm-up sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape. Both the jerseys and sticks will be auctioned off by Flyers Charities following the game with proceeds going to Flyers Charities and their efforts to grow the game of hockey in diverse communities." The Flyers like their communities "diverse," but this doesn't extend to diversity of thought; everyone was expected to don the rainbow jerseys and use the rainbow sticks. Provorov enunciated his dissent, however, in the politest of terms: "I respect everyone. I respect everybody's choices," he said. "My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion."

Aye, there's the rub. In the woke world, someone like Provorov doesn't get a choice. The Left is all about "choice" for other Leftists only, not for dissidents. And so, in response to Provorov's stand, the Flyers felt the need to bolster their woke bona fides, issuing a statement saying, "The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the local LGBTQ+ community. Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community." Translation: Please, Leftists, don't hurt us! Don't bar us from polite society! This heretic doesn't represent us! We'll be good, we promise!... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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