What have hockey games been missing all this time?
Pre-game drag shows, according to the NHL.
Two recent Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks games began by having drag queens put on a performance for spectators in an effort to “celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”
The Vancouver performance was a drag show “featuring Vancouver-based performers Mx.Bukuru, Carrie Oki Doki, Xanax and Jerrilynn Spears.”
Canadians took to social media to express their bewilderment about what drag shows have to do with the sport of hockey.
Some noted how while they have no problem with drag shows, they did not pay to go to a hockey game to be entertained by one.
So they keep shoving this in our faces and then call us bigots because we don’t want to have anything to do with this? I’m so done with this. Just stop it now!
— Michelle LA🇨🇦 (@MichelleLA1981) April 5, 2023
I’ve been to a few drags shows, and it’s not my thing but ended up having a great time each time
— Smith Rowe One Zero 🇨🇦 (@alphonsito19) April 4, 2023
But imagine if before it started they just played some random hockey game for 10 minutes; not what we signed up for
Others commented on how drag shows were a form of adult entertainment and not “family friendly” as sports events should be.
No. Sports should be family friendly entertainment.
— Andy – 🚫 Digital ID (@nowoolovreyz) April 5, 2023
I had season seats and used to bring my kids to the games. So sad to see this.
— Geoff Bagg (@gbagg) April 6, 2023
The NHL has been reckoning with players who have refused to don pride-themed jerseys during pre-game warm ups.
A number of players including most recently Florida Panthers players Eric and Marc Staal, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer and Buffalo Sabers’ Ilya Lyubushkin have cited their religious beliefs as the reason behind refusing to wear the jerseys.
