NHL clubs ditch rainbow uniforms due to Russian LGBT law

Chicago made the decision after consulting with security experts. This is the third NHL club with Russians that refused to hold a rally in support of LGBT in the usual format - with players in special uniforms and with a "rainbow" tape on the clubs

The Chicago Blackhawks became the third NHL club to abandon its LGBT uniform as part of the Pride Night campaign, the club explained the decision by concern for the safety of Russian players in connection with the adoption in Russia of a law banning LGBT propaganda. AP reports.

The action was supposed to take place before the game with the Vancouver Canucks (on the night of March 27, Moscow time).

It is noted that the decision was made by "Chicago" after a discussion with security specialists working at the club and invited for consultation.

In "Chicago" are the Russian defender Nikita Zaitsev and goaltender Anton Khudobin.

The Athletic previously reported that the Minnesota Wild abandoned the rainbow uniform for a similar reason - out of fear of harming Russian players, in particular, their main star Kirill Kaprizov.

Also, at the end of January, the New York Rangers, where Artemy Panarin and Igor Shesterkin play, abandoned the form in support of LGBT people. The club said they "support the right of every person to respectfully express their beliefs."

Russian Philadelphia Flyers defender Ivan Provorov was the first to refuse to participate in this action in the NHL this season, explaining his decision by the fact that he professes Orthodoxy.

For the same reason, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer did not participate in the action in March, but his Russian teammates Alexander Barabanov and Nikolai Knyzhov put on uniforms with the action logo.

The NHL said that the clubs themselves determine what and how to celebrate, and "the players themselves decide what initiatives they support."

On December 5, Russia adopted a law banning LGBT propaganda, pedophilia, and gender reassignment among people of any age (previously, only LGBT propaganda among minors was banned in the legislation). According to the new law, it is completely prohibited in social networks, media, cinema, and advertising.