Bruins’ Brad Marchand Says All the Right Things on LGBTQ Equality

Photo via AP

Bruins winger Brad Marchand earned plaudits last month after he not only shut down a homophobic Twitter troll with gusto, but retweeted a screenshot of the slur after the creep tried deleting it.

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/814674311764209664

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/814677633933905920

Marchand, who earned his first trip to the NHL All-Star Game this year, sat down with ESPN’s Joe MacDonald on Tuesday and expounded on his views on gay rights.

“I want to stand up for what I believe in, and I don’t think it’s right when people say things or bash people because of their sexual orientation,” Marchand said. “I have friends who are in gay relationships, and I don’t think it’s right for people to be against that. Everyone is allowed to find love whatever way that is, so I felt like that was a time to say something, especially nowadays. We’re in 2017, and things are a lot different than they were 100 years ago. We’re all evolving to be equal, and that’s the way things should be.”

Asked if the league would be accepting once a player comes out, Marchand said it’s “no question.”

“We’re a team in the [dressing] room and a family. It doesn’t matter what different beliefs guys have, or where they come from, or whatever the case may be. Guys would accept it,” he said. “Again, in the room we’re a family. That’s the way it is on a hockey team, and that’s the way it will always be.”

Marchand’s teammate and best friend Patrice Bergeron took a similar stand last year, speaking out in favor of the transgender rights bill later passed on Beacon Hill and signed by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Bergeron & @NHLBruins agree, it's time to pass the #transbillMA. Everyone is welcome at a B's game! #EveryoneWelcome pic.twitter.com/urK3v61ZmQ

— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) March 17, 2016

“Our team believes that everyone should be treated equally, everywhere they go,” Bergeron said. “Transgender people deserve the same rights as everyone else in our state—and everyone is welcome at a Bruins game.”