Patrick Burke opposes Sochi boycott
You Can Play founder says anti-gay laws are ‘absurd’ but participation meaningful
You Can Play founder Patrick Burke believes that Olympians can take a more meaningful stand against the anti-gay laws in Russia by participating in the 2014 Games in Sochi rather than boycotting.
“A boycott won’t change anything. It’s not like the Russians are going to say: ‘You are right — these laws are terrible.’ The laws are going to remain in place if there is a boycott,” Burke said. “It’s going to be a two-day story, maybe a week, if there is a boycott. But if we go, and then we have athletes and people talking about this on a daily basis for three straight weeks, it’s way more valuable to the LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) community.”
Burke said he has informed USA Hockey and Hockey Canada that he is available to talk to their players about what is happening in Russia.
“We received positive responses from both groups, so I anticipate that there will be some way we will be involved to let athletes know what they are getting into,” Burke said. “I will tell them what their options are when they have boots on the ground there.”
Burke said he is encouraging hockey players, most of whom will be from the NHL, to express their displeasure with the Russian laws if that’s how they feel.
“The laws are absurd, insulting and shameful,” Burke said.
“You are talking about laws that are in a culture in Russia right now where gay people are being beaten in the street. They are being arrested. Gay parents can lose their children. You are talking about draconian laws.”
During the weekend, Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg criticized the Russian legislation as “awful.” The laws ban promotion of non-traditional sexual relations. “There are people being beaten up or killed for being gay,” Burke said. “I don’t know if there is an athlete out there that would stay silent if (he or she) knew what was going on.” Burke co-founded You Can Play to honor his brother, Brendan, who came out as gay in 2009 while working as a student manager and video assistant for the men’s hockey team at Miami (Ohio) University. Brendan was killed in an automobile accident in 2010. Both the NHL and NHL Players’ Association have endorsed the initiative, but Patrick Burke said he hasn’t discussed the situation with either group. He plans to do that, mostly to make sure everyone is well-informed on the issues. “I don’t necessary believe the league needs to have a stance on this,” Burke said. “They are not an Olympic body. They are not a gov- erning body for Olympic hockey. They are not a political organization.” Burke won’t be attending the Olympics, but he said his dad, Brian, a former NHL general manager and current Anaheim Ducks consultant, will be working with USA Hockey and represent You Can Play if needed.