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Brian Burke, GM of the Leafs and his gay son Brendan

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  QUOTE Nov 26, 2009 11:13 PM GMT

  Here's a story about Brian Burke, and how he accepts his gay son. It's great that he can be so accepting, as well as the Miami University Hockey team in Oxford Ohio.
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=4685761
  
  "I think it's important that my story is told to people because there are a lot of gay athletes out there and gay people working in pro sports that deserve to know that there are safe environments where people are supportive regardless of your sexual orientation," - Brendan Burke
  
  Sounds like good news to me.

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  QUOTE Nov 27, 2009 1:20 AM GMT

  thank you for sharing this story cdnguy. I have to say the young men and women joining our CF are so accepting of the "gay" human condition. I hear gay is ok frequently. of course there are the negative bigots still about but the positive far outweighs the negative for sure.
  
  once again ty for bringing a positive story here.
  
  

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  QUOTE Nov 28, 2009 7:48 PM GMT

  Here is a video and story from somewhere else ..
  
  
  
  http://www.towleroad.com/2009/11/watch-brian-and-brendan-burke-on-gays-in-hockey-coming-out.html
  
  And the response to that first video:
  

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  QUOTE Nov 28, 2009 8:06 PM GMT

  Heya guys-
  Thanks for posting these stories...they are terrific ones to be shared.
  More coaches should be aware that the sky would not fall outta the air if they support their gay athletes. My wish is that some coaches and team admin folks will see these stories and think about being proactive in their own environments. That said, it does take trailblazers like Brian - and others before him - to make some lasting change.
  
  Best regards this holiday weekend!

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• MichVBPlayer2... Posts: 132
  QUOTE Nov 28, 2009 8:11 PM GMT

  What an awesome story. As a gay coach, I love reading gay sports stories. Thanks for posting.

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  QUOTE Nov 28, 2009 8:57 PM GMT

  Damn good story...

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  QUOTE Nov 28, 2009 9:22 PM GMT

  This is quite something, this story. Amazing the sports world covering it in a fair open minded way. I admire the courage of this guy and his Dad's unconditional love. Is the world possibly changing?

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• allatonce Posts: 791
  QUOTE Nov 30, 2009 1:35 AM GMT

  Makes me proud to be from Toronto, good to hear there are stories like this coming about. Most of the sports world could use some changing and a little more acceptance.

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  QUOTE Dec 05, 2009 5:20 PM GMT

  Here is a related story .. Justin Bourne is even sexier when he is sorry I think it is amazing when Sports celebrities come out as supportive of gays
  
  

  http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/11/friendly-voices-justin-bourne.html"In my days as a hockey player, I did nothing but contribute to hockey's culture of homophobia and prejudice against gays. I used gay slurs more times than I'd like to admit. Six months after I left my last professional locker room, I felt a twinge of regret, followed by a full-out, stomach punch of regret. And by the time I finished the first draft of this column, I was disgusted with myself.

  
  
  the original story is here!
  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/bourne/2009-11-02-hockey-culture_N.htm

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  QUOTE Jan 04, 2010 5:10 PM GMT

  I suppose this answer won't win me any friends, but honestly, folks, what does he deserve, a cookie? He acted like any good father should.

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  QUOTE Jan 04, 2010 5:14 PM GMT

  hockeytiger saidI suppose this answer won't win me any friends, but honestly, folks, what does he deserve, a cookie? He acted like any good father should.

  I thought we were talking about the son coming out not the father. But either way you are right a good dad should always be a good dad.

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• CuriousJockAZ Posts: 17607
  QUOTE Jan 04, 2010 5:22 PM GMT

  Wow! What an awesome story, not to mention a courageous and wonderful young man. It made me proud, and I can only imagine how proud his family is. Thanks for posting this!!!

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  QUOTE Jan 05, 2010 4:35 PM GMT

  hockeytiger saidI suppose this answer won't win me any friends, but honestly, folks, what does he deserve, a cookie? He acted like any good father should.

  
  
  It's more than just a father accepting his son for who he is. It got people talking about the future of gay men in professional sports, and striving for acceptance in a predominantly homophobic sporting world. That is why this is a great story, because reading the articles it seems as though homophobia in sports could be a thing of the past sometime soon.

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  QUOTE Jan 05, 2010 4:58 PM GMT

  Wow, respect to Mr. Hodge.

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  QUOTE Feb 06, 2010 4:28 AM GMT

  RIP Brendan...

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  QUOTE Feb 06, 2010 4:31 AM GMT

  SO, SO tragic.
  
  For those who didn't see it a couple minutes ago: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Brendan-Burke-killed-in-Indiana-car-accident?urn=nhl,218018

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  QUOTE Feb 06, 2010 4:36 AM GMT

  Oh my, so tragic. Great story though, a life cut too short.

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  QUOTE Feb 06, 2010 4:38 AM GMT

  

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  QUOTE Feb 06, 2010 5:10 AM GMT

  Oh no, I read through that whole first post with such hope for this young guy and I was shocked to read about his sudden death.
  
  Condolences to his family. What a great, brave guy.

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  QUOTE Feb 06, 2010 5:30 AM GMT

  so tragic. I don't know what else to say.

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