Understand the LGBTQIA+ news: NHL Pride Tape, Trans Protest, Pitch and more

Understand the LGBTQIA+ headlines and keep track of the latest queer content and perspectives. This week, QueerAF is written by guest editor Sarah Kenchington.

Jamie is briefly back at his desk to sub-edit this edition. He'll be off the rest of the month, taking time to rest and recover - but in good news, he is now back at home to do this.

Hi - I'm Sarah Kenchington, your guest editor this week. I'm a London and Bristol based writer and PhD candidate. When I'm not busy writing or talking about books and TV shows, you can find me shouting at and about football (specifically the struggle of being a Tottenham Hotspur fan). This week I've brought something QueerAF members ask for a lot - my queer sports fan take on the LGBTQIA+ news this week.

💬 This week:

• NHL Pride Tape Ban. The National Hockey League in North America banned rainbow Pride tape on hockey sticks; we explore why and what it means for other sports. 
• Grassroots Protests. A group of 50 queer and trans people hung a 30-metre banner over Vauxhall Bridge and lit trans pride smoke bombs - we have pictures of the grassroots action.
• Pitch - As football becomes more embroiled in sportswashing, hopeful performances such as ‘Pitch’ remind us football is meant to be for everybody.

Skip the doomscrolling and support queer creatives instead. We are QueerAF – and so are you.

NHL Pride Tape ban gets fierce reaction from fans and players

TL;DR: The NHL has banned the use of rainbow Pride tape on hockey sticks, citing rules for themed nights; but it’s created a major backlash amongst both NHL fans and players who argue that this marks a step backwards in inclusivity for the league. It marks a wider issue of sportswashing and sidelining LGBTQIA+ rights to appease bigoted views.