David Harsanyi: Who Doesn’t Wear the Ribbon?!

Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman, refused to skate in Tuesday’s pregame session in the team’s LGBTQ+ warmup jersey. He cited his preference “to stay true to myself and my religion,” This is Russian Orthodox. “I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices,” Only one player refused to take part at Pride Night, he said.

Imagine the outrage Provorov’s postasy caused among sports commentators. Pierre LeBrun, TSN, claimed Provorov “obviously does not respect ‘everyone.’ If he did respect everyone, he would have taken part in warm-up and worn the Pride Night jersey. Don’t hide behind religion.”

The “don’t hide behind religion” Jibe is one the most ignorant and lazy smears. Bullies who think they can bore into heretics’ souls love to use jibe. LeBrun argues that this is the only reason why someone might not be inclined to celebrate same sex marriage. “+” (I wonder what Lebrun would say to clarify it?) is deeply-rooted bigotry. These amateur theologians proclaim that dissenters “hiding” They are arguing behind faith that religion is a cover for bigotry and that no real faith can possibly have a problem following the cultural norms that he adopted just five minutes ago.

Many Orthodox faiths, including those of Russian Orthodox Jews, Catholics and Muslims, as well as Lutherans, believe that same-sex relationships can be sinful. They have believed this for many centuries, if it is not millennia. An individual of good faith can “respect” others — they can even respect people for taking a stance — without celebrating their choices. In an open and diverse society, it’s not necessary for everyone to give up their traditional and critical thinking just because they want to skate in a rainbow flag. It’s so vacuous virtue signaling, Dear Lord.

It’s important to remember that the LGBTQ+ movement covers a wide range of ideologies, and not just the rights of gay people to marry or live in peace. One Flyer, for example, celebrated the accomplishments of another Flyer. “nonbinary” 13-year-old. I’m an old-fashioned atheist. While I don’t care who your partner is, I do believe in the ancient notion that human beings have immutable biological traits and that objective truths are impossible to ignore. I believe that the 13-year-old child is the victim of a distorted, destructive, and fashionable pseudoscience. LeBrun and others like him will normalize this quackery, while still promoting the idea of “tolerance.”

The National Hockey League press was also furious that John Tortorella (a long-standing figure in the NHL), hadn’t suspended Provorov from his duties. Tortorella was the coach for the U.S. national hockey team and threatened anyone who refused the national anthem to be benched. A decision he regrettably regretted. The obvious difference is that those players weren’t asked to endorse the lifestyle choices of strangers but were voluntarily representing the United States — and every person in it — at international tournaments. It speaks volumes about how distorted our values are.

It is absurd to think that Provorov is trying to bring this acrimony upon himself, because he cannot get his bigot self to wear a rainbow-colored jersey. Provorov is willing to take on any risk for no reward. He will be forever denigrated by those who are closed-minded about him. Disagreement from progressive faith is a big deal in today’s society. Most players — most people — would rather not risk being denigrated and bullied by the mob. They are not wrong.

David Harsanyi, a senior editor at The Federalist, is David Harsanyi. Harsanyi, a nationally syndicated columnist who is also the author of five books, including the most recent. “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.” His work has appeared in National Review as well Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Reason, New York Post, and many other publications. Follow him @davidharsanyi on Twitter.

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