Has the BBL ever done a Pride event?

[ScottishBasketballFan]

Just want to state that I'm not a part of this community

EIHL does it as does NHL.

I've never seen NBA do it. Why do you think that is?

I was hearing about a Russian NHL player who cited his Russian Orthodox beliefs as a reason for not wearing a Pride jersey during warm ups. I was then made aware of a player from the Clan who has liked anti LGBT stuff as well as being a gun nut and religious person, yet he actually wore the Clan's Pride jersey without issue.

[tallerman]

That’s an odd first statement to make....

I can never remember any pride stuff in the bbl, even when we had openly gay player in the league

[ScottishBasketballFan]

Nah, I was just making my own orientation clear. I just didn't want the assumption that I made this thread as a member of that community, causes less offence that way, IMHO.

[SamH]

It is amazing how few sports people are still to come out. No one in the NBA since J.Collins which was years ago now. Quite remarkable that they still don't feel able to be open about themselves while in sports. 😮‍💨

[ScottishBasketballFan]

Is John Amaechi the only British player to come out on the Men's side?

[tallerman]

In the nba i believe so

[spacejammer]

I know the BBL Show have talked about it on their podcast but that's about it. I wouldn't mind it if the BBL did a pride event although what exactly you would do is another question.

In football and sports usually they just wear a rainbow on their Jersey, an armband or socks.

[ScottishBasketballFan]

Well in ice hockey over here, the Clan and other teams wear Pride jerseys, the Clan auction their ones off after a game, some going for £600. Other teams sell theirs; Clan are one of 3 who don't offer them to the fans that can't afford to pay silly money for these types of jerseys.

We don't just do Pride ones, the Clan have done ones for Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Beatson Cancer, New Year's & St Andrews Day.

[D44]

I find the whole thing a bit hollow. At best harmless tokenism and at worst a meaningless gesture for businesses to avoid criticism for not doing it.

[SamH]

I agree, especially for say, the NBA to do something like this when they still don't have any players who have come out (current ones anyway), would be hollow. If the Brittney Griner situation has shown us anything it's that regardless of her personal characteristics, look how well supported she was by almost everyone to get her home safely. No one said "ah well she's gay so we won't bother about her" so I really don't know why players are finding it so difficult to be open about themselves in this day and age. It is a shame but clearly there is something still prevalent, at least in mens' sport, that is making people hesitate.

[dexter]

Jan 24, 2023 14:29:52 GMT SamH said:

I agree, especially for say, the NBA to do something like this when they still don't have any players who have come out (current ones anyway), would be hollow. If the Brittney Griner situation has shown us anything it's that regardless of her personal characteristics, look how well supported she was by almost everyone to get her home safely. No one said "ah well she's gay so we won't bother about her" so I really don't know why players are finding it so difficult to be open about themselves in this day and age. It is a shame but clearly there is something still prevalent, at least in mens' sport, that is making people hesitate.

Lesbians have always been prominent in women’s sports. In a similar way, in dance and theatre there would be no surprises to anyone to find lots of gay men out and comfortable in that environment. Men’s sports seems to be unique in having a problem with being gay. It is possible that there just aren’t any gays in the BBL. The BBL should think about the best way to ensure that any gay men now and in the future can feel able to be themselves and not hide their sexuality for fear of the reaction of other players, coaches and fans. To be honest I don’t think fans would care, but what do I know.