Citadel High Hosts 3rd Annual Hockey Pride Night in Halifax

Citadel High’s boys’ hockey team is set to host its third annual Hockey Pride Night during a game on Saturday at the Halifax Forum. This event is a collaboration between the school’s Guys Group and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), aiming to promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity within the school community.

The initiative for Hockey Pride Night emerged following a troubling incident four years ago, when a player on the ice used homophobic language during a Citadel High Phoenix game. According to Grade 12 student Alistar Syms, the referee who overheard the remark responded inadequately. “The ref reacted very poorly and said, ‘Hey, I don’t mind if you use that derogatory language in front of me, but be careful about who you say it in front of because other refs will have a problem with it,’” Syms recalled.

Frustrated by the response, members of the hockey team presented their concerns to Sport Nova Scotia and local referees, advocating for a more proactive approach to tackling homophobia and bigotry in sports. Their efforts sparked the idea for a themed Pride night, which was well received by the team members, despite some negative comments from peers outside the team and GSA.

Grade 12 student Callum Walsh emphasized that the Pride Night is a team initiative rather than solely the GSA’s project. “This is our idea. It’s not just something that the GSA does and we’re just a part of it,” he stated. “We want people to feel like they can be themselves.”

During the game, officials from Hockey Nova Scotia will wear Pride armbands, further underscoring the event’s significance. Erin Poirier, the school’s youth health centre co-ordinator, highlighted the positive impact of the project. She noted that students in the GSA feel celebrated and included, while the boys’ hockey team gains a sense of “meaningful responsibility” and the chance to lead by example.

“I think Pride Night is a huge night, and having a space where you can feel included and feel like you can be yourself is going to be huge for whoever decides to show up,” Poirier added.

The collaboration between the hockey team and the GSA exemplifies a growing commitment within schools to foster an environment where all students can thrive, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. As the event approaches, anticipation builds within the Citadel High community, showcasing a strong message of acceptance and unity in sports.