Re: “girls” IMHO it can be a derogatory term. If you are talking about female athletes, I think you can call them girls until they graduate from high school. College or professional athletes are women.

Groups of female friends will refer to themselves as girls regardless of age. Me and my three sisters refer to ourselves as girls and our parents call us girls even though we are all well past age 18.

There was a comment on a Minnesota hockey blog about the new “ice girls” at the Wild games. I think they are “girls” because they look to be about 16 or 17 years old. They hustle out there, clean the ice and hustle back without trying to attract a lot of attention to themselves. They wear black pants and Wild jerseys.

In contrast – someone posted a photo of the Islanders “ice girls.” My brain immediately inserted the derogatory version of “girls” and then a few adjectives flashed through – dirty girls, naughty girls, trashy girls. Yes – snap judgements were made.

So – yes – the word “girls” can be derogatory. It can imply young, weak, and it somehow gets sexualized with “ice girls”, “shot girls” or when strip clubs advertise “girls”.

Take it for what it’s worth…coming from a self proclaimed “Minnesotagirl”.

You, with your real name, say “there should be gays in hockey – OUT gays in hockey” in a major US publication. With your photo. Right. There.

And we’re quibbling over what words you used?

I get to use any word I want because I’m gay, I guess. It’s good you ask, but end of day I think you were PC in the ways that count.

The rest really is semantics. I’m kind of O.o that anyone remarked on it, in light of the article itself.

I’ve gotten a few emails about the language and phrasing of my article. I need like a “this is good, this is bad” list. Can we get somebody to start an official “North American Society” webpage and keep it updated on proper terminology, so I can be more PC? I don’t even know what I’m supposed to say (and not just in regards to homosexuality, which I was advised was the “medical/clinical term”) if I felt like being more careful. What do I call black people (and why did typing that make me nervous?). Gay? Why do editors keep changing the word “girls” in my columns to “women”? Is girls derogatory?

HELP!

I consoled myself with the thought that I probably play better than 80% of the respondents. And really, I don’t play that well.

What you said was important, regardless of the response. I know pro players. I know a lot of players in general. I’ve been the only woman on male teams and the only queer person (out) in the locker room. I’ve played on gay teams.

My general sense is that hockey is more than ready, and that it’s time, and that creating an environment where people can be who they are means better hockey for everyone.

Someone said that the locker room was “sacred space,” where everything should be acceptable. He meant “to say anything.”

I agree, only it should also be “to be anything.”

I’ll be following your blog now, thanks again.

Kate

But, I would just like to say too that not all hockey players, minor or NHLer, or any other professional athlete are homophobic or use gay slurs. Those that do, tend to be closeted and self-loathing gay men fighting their same-sex attraction which is obvious. This I know. And, being gay or bisexual and being a professional athlete have absolutely nothing to do with each other, believe me. This too I know. That thinking that is does is entrenched with ignorance and foolishness.

Not all sports fans are anti-gay either. There are a-holes in every facet of life, nonetheless. Toughen up! Ignore them or confront them. I do. It’s not hard, and that’s what you’re supposed to do. Then life goes on.

Next blog should be about pro hockey players and their partners and those long 9 (or longer) months.

Great article though.

FWIW, that’s where I first heard about your blog.

Actually, as a Bruins fan, I understand that the guys want to play for their countries but I’d prefer that they all go off and sit on a Bahamas beach for a couple of weeks rather than kill themselves on the ice.

Neil,
I’m with you. I’d rather have Stamkos for a three year deal. I just think the sky’s the limit for this kid. He’s only 19 and the last guy I can remember putting up numbers like Stamkos is this year at such a young age is Crosby. Can you imagine Stamkos numbers in a year or two? When Tampa actually has a good team? I think it will be scary. People seem to forget that he was a #1 pick because he started the season so poorly last year. He was still putting up Lucic numbers though:) I just don’t know what people expected, you have a small 18 year old playing on a horrible team and people wanted him to put up a point a game. I remember columnists asking if he was a bust at the halfway point last year…..are you kidding me?