Sean Avery | Be a Seed for Change

What do you do when someone hurls a homophobic slur at a hero? If you’re the National Hockey League, you turn a blind eye.

New York Rangers forward Sean Avery joined the campaign to fight for same-sex marriage in New York this spring, knowing full well he might get blowback from opponents in the NHL. Avery stood up for his beliefs, and he thought the NHL would have his back… but he was wrong.

Two days ago, Philadelphia Flyers player Wayne Simmonds called Sean Avery a “f*cking f*ggot” during an exhibition game. Avery complained to NHL officials, but the officials say they won’t fine Simmonds because “there are conflicting accounts of what transpired on the ice.” This despite the fact that Simmonds can clearly be seen mouthing the slur on video.

Gay rights activist and avid hockey fan Gloria Nieto thinks this is just plain wrong, so she started a petition on Change.org imploring the NHL to fine Wayne Simmonds for his use of an anti-gay slur. Please sign Gloria’s petition today.

Other professional sports leagues have cracked down on homophobic slurs. When Kobe Bryant used the same slur as Simmonds, the National Basketball Association fined him $100,000. Nearly a third of all Major League Baseball teams have made “It Gets Better” videos to stand up against anti-gay bullying.

The NHL’s inaction is not only a step backward in the fight to end the culture of homophobia in professional sports. It’s also a betrayal of Sean Avery, who represents the very best of how professional athletes can help the fight for gay rights.

If the NHL is allowed to ignore Simmonds’ slur, that sends a dangerous signal to other hockey players: Don’t bother supporting the LGBT community. Your league won’t have your back if you do.

NHL officials need to know that you are watching their actions closely and fully expect them to hold Wayne Simmonds accountable. Please sign Gloria’s petition asking the NHL to fine Wayne Simmonds for his use of an anti-gay slur:

http://www.change.org/petitions/nhl-fine-wayne-simmonds-for-his-homophobic-slur-against-sean-avery

Thanks for being a change-maker,

– Eden and the Change.org team

I just got off the phone with HRC Board Member Bruce Bastian. He’s challenged HRC supporters to raise $100,000 – and he’ll match every dollar with one of his own.

He’s doing it because big things are happening here at HRC and all across the country – thanks to you. You’ve helped run ads and mobilize thousands of volunteers in an all-out blitz to win marriage equality in New York. You helped bring 250 pro-equality clergy members to Capitol Hill this week. And together we’ve sparked a new, national conversation about homophobia in sports.

But make no mistake. We could win in New York – or right-wing hatred could prevail. More sports stars could support equality – or more slurs could air on national TV. Speaker Boehner could stop spending tax dollars to defend discrimination in the DOMA case – or we could see a resurgence of discriminatory efforts in Congress.

It all depends on how quickly we can react to a crisis, on how skillfully we can fight when it counts – and on you.

www.hrc.org

Don’t miss this chance to double your impact – all gifts will be matched up to $100,000.

Look around. From TV sitcoms to professional sports, to new polls showing unprecedented support for equality – we’ve reached a tipping point in our culture.

After years of discrimination, when a single victory for LGBT equality was cause for hope, we are now in a place where it’s hate that’s out of place. And you’ve been at the center of that change. In just the past few months, look what you’ve accomplished:

•After an outcry from HRC supporters, a major law firm dropped its defense of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

•After HRC’s rapid-response campaign in major media outlets and on Twitter, all-star Kobe Bryant personally called me to apologize for calling a referee a “f***ing f***ot” in front of millions of young viewers – and the commissioner of the NBA fined him an unprecedented $100,000.

•Star athletes such as the NBA’s Steve Nash and the NHL’s Sean Avery have joined our “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” campaign – the videos are everywhere from cable TV to New York City cabs right now – and when Avery was attacked for his brave stand, thousands of you spoke out in his defense.

•Mayors, governors, actors, past presidents and even George W. Bush’s daughter Barbara have all joined HRC’s campaign for marriage equality in New York.

And, for the first time ever, polls show a majority of Americans support marriage equality – not just civil unions.

These aren’t unconnected events. But this moment is only what we make of it. People like you generously funded ads, fueled outreach to prominent figures, and gave us the strength to respond to attacks without delay – and to seize this opportunity, we’ll need you again.

www.hrc.org

Don’t miss out: have your gift MATCHED in the next seven days.

We can create a sea change in our society – but we may still slip backward. I know that HRC supporters like you will be the deciding factor, and that we can count on you to fight.

Let’s tip the scales,

Joe Solmonese

President