05/09/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

Professional hockey player, Sean Avery came out in support of LGBT rights last week. Avery is one of the few active athletes brave enough to come out in support for equality by recording a public video for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign. Avery joins other prominent figures such as Julianne Moore, Michael Bloomberg, and Barbara Bush (George W’s daughter) in drawing people’s attention to LGBT equality.

Sean Avery Equality Campaign Still

Avery, who has been known to always speak his mind has no qualms with the LGBT community and believes that marriage should be for everyone.

Avery discussed his reasoning during a phone interview with the New York Times, “The places I’ve played and lived the longest have been in West Hollywood, Calif., when I played for the L.A. Kings, and when I moved to New York, I lived in Chelsea for the first four years. I certainly have been surrounded by the gay community. And living in New York and when you live in L.A., you certainly have a lot of gay friends.”

Even though Avery admits that more taunting may come his way now that he has officially took a stance; at the same time, the ex-Vogue intern that was once voted “most hated” in the NHL is not worried, since he is quite used to people being against him.

“People have been calling me names for 10 years just because I like to wear nice suits. It’s going to take a lot to get me upset or to get under my skin. I’m O.K.,” he told the Times.

The other athletes that have spoken up for LGBT equality have been Brendon Ayanbadejo, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, along with Grant Hill and Jared Dudley, both whom recently partnered with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to discuss the issues surrounding anti-gay language in sports.

Related articles

• NHL Badboy does Ad for HRC New York Campaign (topix.net)
• Sean Avery is a New Yorker for Marriage Equality (hrcbackstory.org)
• Sean Avery Discusses His Support For Marriage Equality (towleroad.com)