The Winnipeg Jets are set to make a statement in support of the LGBTQ+ community by wearing special warm-up jerseys on Pride Night on April 5. The jerseys, which feature a rainbow-colored Jets logo, will be worn during pre-game warm-ups before the team takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs. This marks the second year in a row that the Jets have celebrated Pride Night by wearing special jerseys, demonstrating their commitment to inclusivity and diversity both on and off the ice.
The Winnipeg Jets are set to host their annual Pride Night festivities during Wednesday’s game against the Calgary Flames. The event aims to show that everyone is welcome in hockey, and any teammate, coach, or fan who supports and is passionate about the sport should be respected. Players will wear jerseys and rainbow tape during warmup, and the organization will later auction the uniforms and sticks for charity during Pride Month in June. Proceeds from the auction will go to the You Can Play Project and Rainbow Resource Centre.
The game will have huge playoff implications as the Jets and Flames battle for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The game will be featured on Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey on Sportsnet and SN NOW, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT/5:30 p.m. MT.
The Rainbow Harmony Project, Winnipeg’s choir for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies, will sing the national anthem before the game. Additionally, four organizations will have space in the concourse to share resources with fans. These organizations include Rainbow Resource Centre, a Winnipeg organization nurturing inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ communities to thrive, The You Can Play Project, which works to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans, Pride Winnipeg, which runs the annual Pride Winnipeg Festival consisting of an array of cultural events to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and The Other Skaters zine, a local self-published booklet of photos and stories focusing on skateboarders who are 2SLGBTQ+.
For those in need of immediate help, resources, education, and support for gender and sexual identity challenges can be found through PFLAG Canada. Crisis hotline numbers can also be found on the Trans Wellness Centre’s website. Everyone deserves a world filled with love instead of bias, and when it is hard, they are not alone.
As the Winnipeg Jets gear up to celebrate Pride Night on April 5, fans from all over are eagerly anticipating the sight of their favorite players donning special warm-up jerseys in support of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a heartwarming gesture of inclusion and acceptance that speaks volumes about the values held dear by both the team and the city of Winnipeg. Through this simple act of solidarity, the Jets have shown that they stand with everyone who wants to live their truth and express their love without fear or discrimination. Here’s hoping that this Pride Night will inspire other sports organizations to follow suit and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse sports community.
