May 1, 2013
Carolina Hurricanes Show Support for Gay and Lesbian Athletes in "You Can Play" Video
Raleigh, N.C. - In a video released Wednesday, North Carolina's NHL Hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes showed their support for gay and lesbian athletes. The video is part of the You Can Play campaign dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation.
You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success.The organization also seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.
According to the Carolina Hurricanes website, the Hurricanes' video marks the first time a professional sports team in North Carolina has come forward with this type of message encouraging gay and lesbian inclusivity in professional athletics.
About the video, Hurricanes forward Kevin Westgarth said, "I think it's fantastic that we're moving forward and it lets whomever it may be feel more comfortable being themselves....You want people to feel comfortable being who they are and know it's not going to affect what people think of them and what they're able to do...if you're good enough to play on my team, I want you on my team."