In 2019, 17-year-old, Yanic Duplessis was drafted to the Drummondville Voltigeurs and ever since has been considered “an elite level player”. In early September 2020 he made the decision to publicly announce that he is gay during an interview with CBC’s Quebec AM. He went on to share his story, including all of the anxiety and fear he was facing not only in the hockey community but also at his school. By revealing this information to the public, Duplessis hopes to inspire and encourage other athletes who may be facing similar situations, and defy the stereotypes regarding homosexual athletes, specifically male hockey players.
Sport culture has greatly contributed to the stigma related to homosexuality. Between locker room talk and the societal ideal of “the perfect athlete”, the sports world has not been known as an accepting atmosphere for the LGBTQ+ community. Sociological research has been conducted to observe the different experiences of gay men in professional, collegiate and club sports.
Even in modern day society, and athletes wishing to reach the highest levels of success have a certain image they are expected to uphold. Attached to this ideal image is the assumption of heterosexuality. Athletes who do not fit this image may be seen as weaker or put themselves at risk of losing social acceptance. These ideas have become normalized in sports culture, discouraging athletes who are part of the LGBTQ+ community to show who they truly are. Homosexuality is often seen as a weakness, specifically, but not exclusively, in men’s sports. Certain sports in particular, such as hockey have created a greater stigma towards sexual identity.
The first openly gay pro hockey player, Brock McGillis only came out in 2016, nearing the end of his career. For a young man of Duplessis’ age, on the cusp of his career, this type of announcement is unheard of in the hockey community.
Marly MacDonald
Sport, Not Games ⚽ 