Comments on: RIP Brendan Burke

By: Baroque

Baroque — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:12:47 +0000

And Brian Burke just shot up to #1 on my coolness list. He went to a pride parade with his son. Awesome.

I think that will be the key in breaking through the taboo about homosexuality. It's easy for anyone to say that they would be uncomfortable with a homosexual person in the locker room with them, or in the military barracks, or an apartment complex or workplace or whatever when they are just picturing some vague hypothetical person.

I think the first athlete who comes out as openly gay while playing will be someone who is already established, so teammates and fans and media and everyone already have him established in their minds as a particular kind of player and person, so his homosexuality will be one more item to add to the picture, and not the most overriding thing.

Instead of being "Brendan the gay hockey player" he will be "Brendan, the talented sniper, ten year veteran, leading goal-scorer on the team, well-respected in the community, known for delivering in the playoffs - oh, and by the way, he's also gay."

It's a small shift in perception, but I think it will be a huge change in perception and make it easier for everyone who follows him until eventually with most people it won't be a big deal to have a homosexual player on the team; some people will still be uncomfortable, but there are still people who don't like working with those of other races, or with women, so some people are always going to tend toward intolerance.

By: Dena

Dena — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:59:54 +0000

I am still recovering from Buccigross's article. I am still wiping the tears from my eyes. Thank you for this post. It's not Wings related, but hockey/life-changing related.
It makes me sad that in America, there is still a group of people being blatantly discriminated against. My hope is through this tragedy, that some bigoted minds are changed. My thoughts are with the Burke family. And Brian Burke just shot up to #1 on my coolness list. He went to a pride parade with his son. Awesome.

By: WingedUP

WingedUP — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:59:42 +0000

Well said. Thank you for writing this. Hockey is just a game,after all, and this a terrible loss. Brendan Burke was and still is,even in death, someone to be admired.

By: jennyquarx

jennyquarx — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:03:44 +0000

Very well written, Michael.

By: Baroque

Baroque — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:28:21 +0000

Very sad. I would have loved to see what else he did with his life in general and in furthering tolerance in hockey.

For all Brian Burke's bluster, this is one thing that he can't talk away. He must be crushed.

By: joe

joe — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:06:47 +0000

Well said.

By: jennbikegirl

jennbikegirl — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:59:50 +0000

I'm glad you posted this and who cares if it's not Wings-related. I read the Buccigross story when it first came out and I can't imagine how anyone who did wasn't touched by it. It's always heartbreaking when someone so young dies, but especially so in this case, since as you said, it felt like we knew him a little.

In a world where so many people are afraid to stand for anything, he wasn't. RIP Brendan.

By: Jennemy of the Skate

Jennemy of the Skate — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:25:24 +0000

Thank you for this post Michael. My heart breaks for Brendan, his friend who died with him, and their families. Life is very unfair sometimes. I hope that you are right, that some day, gay professional atheletes won't have to hide who they are.