AFA of PA ACTION ALERT

January 25, 2023

Issue

Thank Philadelphia Flyers Player Ivan Provorov

Details

It was Pride Night on Tuesday, January 17 and Philadelphia Flyers player Ivan Provorov did what has become the “unthinkable”. Citing his Russian Orthodox beliefs, he refused to participate in pre-game warm up because it would have required him to wear a pride jersey and use hockey sticks wrapped in rainbow pride tape.

Two days later Flyer head coach John Tortorella reiterated his support saying he and Provorov had spoken before the warm up:  “Provy’s not out there banging a drum against Pride Night,” Tortorella said. “He quietly went about his business. Him and I had a number of conversations to how we were going to do this. You have the team, you have him, you have all this going on. Talked to [alternate captain Scott Laughton.] Went through the whole process there. [Provorov] felt strongly with his beliefs. And he stayed with it. And this was discussed, prior up to that.

Right after the game Provorov said, “I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices.  My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”

Of course, the attacks against Provorov were immediate and continue.   It is a rare thing nowadays for a public figure to stand up against the demand from LGBTQ+ activists to celebrate their lifestyle choice. 

The National Hockey League, like every other sport, has embraced the promotion of LGBTQ pride, but they have not penalized Provorov.  Let’s hope that others will be encouraged to stand up to the LGBTQ tyranny that seems to reign across the nation.

Action Steps

You can thank Ivan Provorov through the Flyers contact form  here      NOTE:  Even though the form appears to only ask for your first name, it also wants your last name.