The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has intervened with the National Hockey League in wake of the anti-gay slur uttered by Wayne Simmonds of the Philadelphia Flyers was caught on camera. The gay slur, ‘fa—got,’ was directed at marriage equality advocate Sean Avery of the New York Rangers who earlier this year joined the marriage equality campaign in support of LGBT rights.
“Hate speech and anti-gay slurs have no place on the ice rink,” said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson. “The word that Simmonds used is the same word that is hurled at LGBT youth on the playground and in our schools, creating a climate of intolerance and hostility. He should not only apologize for this anti-gay outburst, but the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL have a responsibility to take action and educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable.”
This is not the first time homophobia has made its way in professional sports. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell have all been under heat this year for homophobic slurs caught on tape.
Despite the allegations, Simmonds denies the allegations, according to Yahoo! News.
“Honestly, we were going back and forth for awhile there and I don’t recall every single thing I said to him, but he said some things I didn’t like and I said some things he didn’t like. But, I can’t recall every single word I said.”
