Bruce Arthur wrote a tremendous and moving article about Brian Burke marching in the pride parade in honor of his son, Brendan.
An excerpt:
It’s easy to say you accept a gay son. It’s different, in a town where you are very recognizable, to take your gay son to the Pride Parade. And as they watched the rainbow kaleidoscope of people spin by that day, Brian Burke made a promise.
“He said, ‘I really appreciate you coming out,’” says Burke, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. “I said, ‘Well, next year we’ll march in it.’”
Brian Burke is one of the world’s better speakers. Some of his pronouncements are practically Shakespearean, blunt and unhesitating and full of powerful and complicated words. But the reason marching was easier is that every time he tries to talk about Brendan, 156 days later, he gets strangled by his heart. Brian Burke can talk about anything but this.
I cannot imagine it would be easy to tragically lose a child. But to grieve and be the face of a major organization; it must be a lot to endure. But Brian has carried on with running the Maple Leafs and being the General Manager that Maple Leaf fans adore. When asked at the draft about any trade rumblings he snapped, “that’s none of your business.”
Brian is setting a tremendous example and I can only hope that other clubs step forward and not just say their environment is for gay athletes but show that it is. I hope the NHL addresses this and brings this issue front and center. Stamping out slurs and sexist remarks would be a step in the right direction.
Sometimes, the good do die young, but Brian is doing everything he can so people don’t forget what Brendan meant.
It’s people like the Burkes who are making the world a better place for gay athletes. I cannot wait for the day when we have an openly gay hockey player.
While a lot of people don’t like Brian Burke the GM, they should at least respect him as the tremendous person he is.
By: Stephanie on July 14, 2010
at 8:01 am