Gay Marriage, the NHL, Breakfast with Scot, Prop 8

Three things are on my mind right now. The Montreal Canadiens' 100th season is in full swing. Breakfast with Scot, the movie about a gay retired hockey player turned television sportscaster (Tom Cavanagh) and his sports lawyer partner (Ben Shenkman) who become legal guardians of an 11-year-old boy (Noah Bernett), can now be seen in select American cities. And, finally, the US election is going to happen very soon.

These three items reminded me of a blog post I had read a few years ago that included quotes from legendary hockey commentator Don Cherry, and former right winger star Brett Hull, who recently was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame. Both men were commenting on the issue of same-sex marriage in Canada.

From the Daily Kos:

For those of you are [sic] who are non-Canadian, Don Cherry is the very redneck, rightwing loudmouth shnook who hosts Hockey Night in Canada. He spends most of his time bashing Quebecois and European players as being "softies" who don't get into enough fights!

Anyways, today Cherry weighed in on same sex marriage. He said: "I don't have any problem with it... Does it cost me any money - NO, so why should I care"

Meanwhile hockey star Brett Hull also commented on equal marriage on Saturday Night Live two weeks ago.

POEHLER: Brett, you're Canadian. What do you think of this new gay marriage law passing in Canada?

BRETT HULL: Well, that's what happens in Canada when there's no hockey. Guys have more time to hang out, talk about their feelings, next thing you know they're in love with each other. I've got nothing against it, but I'd rather be playing hockey.

POEHLER: You heard it hear first folks: Brett Hull would rather play hockey than marry a dude.

The above post comes from 21 December 2004, about seven months before same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in Canada on 20 July 2005. The next year on 7 December, the Canadian House of Commons effectively reaffirmed the legislation by a vote of 175 to 123, defeating a Conservative motion to examine the matter again.

So for the past three years, thousands of gay men and women have been getting married in Canada. This has neither damaged Canadian society nor made the country a hostile place in which to live.

With the US election almost upon us, obviously I hope that Californians will vote NO on Proposition 8. Human rights equality is at stake in a country that is supposed to be committed to the principle of liberty. Fingers crossed.