WINNIPEG – Adam Lowry fully realizes that being an ally stretches well beyond pulling on a jersey for a pre-game warmup.
And in this particular case, the Winnipeg Jets centre also recognizes the importance of actions speaking just as loudly as words.
“We want to make sure our rink, our facility, is a welcoming place. Everyone can feel included,” said the Winnipeg Jets centre, as the topic of Pride Night was at the centre of the discussion on the heels of Wednesday’s pivotal game with the Calgary Flames, which can be seen on Sportsnet and SN NOW. “I think you hit the nail on the head there. Diversity and inclusion are certainly important. You want everyone, whether they are playing the game of hockey or a fan of the game of hockey, to feel comfortable being who they are, what they believe in, their sexual orientation. I think visibility matters. We’ve come to the decision we’re going to wear it. I think that’s a positive.”
The Jets have chosen as a team to fully support the initiative, which include wearing Pride jerseys for the warmup before Wednesday’s game.
“It's very important, and I'm glad to hear that. Listen, we all love the game,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness. “It's the greatest sport there is, and the more inclusive we can make it for everyone, get more kids playing, more people playing, more fans watching – the more inclusive we can make it, the better off. It's a great opportunity to grow the game. Keep growing our game. That's the most important thing.”
Bowness also shared why the initiative is important for him.
“Because, again, I love the game. I have a charity back home in the Maritimes that we raise money for underprivileged children. And every underprivileged child, (if) they don't have money to play, we give them the money,” said Bowness. “Whatever their sex, their background, their colour – no boundaries on it. Anyone who needs money to play hockey, that's what we do back with our charity golf tournament. And it's all-inclusive. So, it's important. And again, I love the game. The game has been my life. So, it's important to me that every chance we get to grow this game, let's take advantage of it.”
The element of inclusion is something that has taken a bit of a hit during the past several months, as several players and teams have chosen not to wear the Pride jersey or made changes to their plans to celebrate the occasion, citing various reasons for those decisions being made.
“I’m not going to comment on other guys' beliefs or anything. But sometimes with a controversy or things not going how you hoped it would go ... I think with this controversy, the story has become much bigger,” said Lowry. “You look at how many people are here covering it today. Sometimes you need some more ears, you need some more eyes on the conversation.
“I think with that controversy, that’s what happens. I think it’s going to continue evolving. Obviously, we want to make it a welcoming place in our arena and our city. But there’s still a ways to go.”
Lowry wasn’t done there, sharing why he feels so strongly about supporting the LBGTQ-plus community.
“Well, I think, being a role model in the community, as someone with a platform, if there’s people that look up to you, you want them to feel comfortable as a fan and as a person,” said Lowry. “I hope that others feel the same way.”
“Personally, I feel people in the community and whatnot, through Pride and other initiatives and people that are supported by our Pride Night, deserve to be recognized and be supported,” added Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “I truly believe hockey is for everybody and everybody should feel comfortable coming to the rink, as a spectator, player, fan, anything like that. I just feel strongly about supporting it and believing that everyone should be supported in what they do.”
Dylan DeMelo shared his gratitude for being able to participate.
“It’s an important night and something that I look forward to every year, so I’m happy we’re doing it,” DeMelo said Tuesday. “We’re obviously supportive of everybody’s viewpoints, but for me, personally, I think this is something that is really important with the way the world is, making it inclusive, making it important for everybody.
“For me, I’ve got friends that are in the community, so, for me, it’s really important. I know the struggles they’ve been through and to make it inclusive for everybody, it’s very important for me. So, I’m really happy that we’re doing it. We’re a top-class organization here and I think the fans are going to enjoy it, everybody’s going to have a good night tomorrow.”
