James Reimer, San Jose Sharks statements on Satisfaction Evening at SAP Middle

SAN JOSE — San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer stated at the moment that members of the Satisfaction-themed crew plan to put on jerseys to point out help for the LGBTQIA+ group, which matches towards his private spiritual beliefs.

For that reason, he is not going to take part within the crew’s pre-game warm-up because the Sharks are scheduled to face the New York Islanders on the SAP Middle.

Listed here are the statements from Reimer, Sharks and the You Can Play mission.

James Reimer

Beneath the auspices of the NHL’s Hockey for All initiative, the San Jose Sharks selected to put on jerseys tonight in help of the LGBTQIA+ group.

I’ve been a Christian all 13 years of my NHL profession, not solely within the title, but additionally in the best way I select my day by day life. I’ve private religion in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and in return asks me to like everybody and comply with Him.

There is no such thing as a hatred in my coronary heart for anybody, and I’ve at all times striven to deal with everybody I come throughout with respect and kindness. On this specific case, I select to not help something that’s opposite to my private beliefs primarily based on the Bible, the very best authority in my life.

I strongly consider that each particular person has worth and price and the LGBTQIA+ group, like everybody else, ought to be welcomed in all elements of the sport of hockey.

San Jose Sharks

Persevering with our longstanding dedication to our LGBTQIA+ group alliance, Sharks Sports activities & Leisure may be very proud to be internet hosting our Shark Satisfaction Evening in 2023. This week’s occasions, culminating in at the moment’s sport towards the New York Islanders, reinforce our group’s values ​​and dedication to creating an inclusive, welcoming and protected surroundings for all company at each considered one of our areas.

As we advance these requirements, we additionally acknowledge and settle for individuals’s rights to precise themselves, together with how they select to precise their beliefs, no matter purpose or matter.

As a corporation, we don’t hesitate in our help of the LGBTQIA+ group and proceed to encourage others to change into actively concerned.

You’ll be able to play the mission

Wanting again over 11 years of our NHL expertise, we’re very grateful to groups just like the Sharks who host Satisfaction Nights, and to all of the gamers, workers, followers, and group who preserve visibility and welcome the LGBTQ+ group in hockey. We hope that the press and historical past will deal with the progress made and the celebration of those efforts, and never on those that attempt to distract themselves from reporting the occasion.

Faith and respect don’t contradict one another, and we’re actually dissatisfied when faith is used as a purpose to not help our group. Sporting a satisfaction jersey, like several celebratory jersey, just isn’t in regards to the athlete’s private emotions; moderately a message from the crew that the group is welcome within the enviornment and within the sport. Within the well-chosen phrases of Bryan Burke: “In different phrases: As annoyed as I’m, it’s important that individuals acknowledge that these are minor setbacks, from my perspective, by way of the place we’re in comparison with the place we now have been. 12 years previous. again… And I do not assume anybody ought to lose sight of it.