Brock McGillis’ mission to end homophobia in the NHL follows nearly a decade of brave LGBTQ+ advocacy
Culture Shift Tour,” a 100-day tour across Canada during which he spoke with 120 youth hockey teams in every city housing a National Hockey League franchise.Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.A post shared by Toronto Marlboros Hockey Club (@torontomarlboros)The tour’s main focus was to target the hypermasculine cultural touchstones within the sport that helped breed the kind of historic homophobia that McGillis himself experienced during his playing career as a closeted gay man in hopes that those foundations could be reshaped in upcoming generations of hockey players.“Whether LGBTQ+ or just a kid that doesn’t fit in, if you can’t adhere to the norms, you’re othered in this sport in particular,” McGillis told Outsports last year. “I think the language and behaviors — especially at younger ages — lead people to feel like they won’t be welcomed.
That said, I would say that 98% of the players would be incredibly supportive or welcoming to a queer teammate and would be open and willing to evolve language and behaviors as they go.”The significance of such a tour took on added resonance due to its timing alongside the NHL’s controversial decisions regarding Pride jerseys and Pride tape on hockey sticks ahead of the 2023-24 season.A post shared by Sportsnet (@sportsnet)McGillis is keenly positioned to tackle the issue of homophobia in the sport for which he holds such deep affection.
The “Culture Shift Tour” marks his largest singular effort to combat hateful rhetoric and feelings within hockey, but it comes after nearly a decade of LGBTQ advocacy on his part.During that time McGillis has worked with multiple NHL teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks, leading workshops addressing homophobia for team personnel.
