Philadelphia Flyers' Wayne Simmonds won't be punished for gay slur
Tue. September 27, 2011 11:45 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Philadelphia -
Philadelphia Flyers player Wayne Simmonds won't be punished for using a gay slur on the ice, because no one can prove that he actually did it.
Video seems to show Simmonds using the slur against Ranger Sean Avery during Monday's game in Philadelphia.
Avery confirmed for the media what Simmonds had said.
But NHL Executive Vice President Colin Campbell said that Simmonds "expressly denied it."
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was not impressed.
"The word that Simmonds used is the same word that is hurled at LGBT youth on the playground and in our schools, creating a climate of intolerance and hostility," said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson. "He should not only apologize for this anti-gay outburst, but the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL have a responsibility to take action and educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable."
Video seems to show Simmonds using the slur against Ranger Sean Avery during Monday's game in Philadelphia.
Avery confirmed for the media what Simmonds had said.
But NHL Executive Vice President Colin Campbell said that Simmonds "expressly denied it."
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was not impressed.
"The word that Simmonds used is the same word that is hurled at LGBT youth on the playground and in our schools, creating a climate of intolerance and hostility," said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson. "He should not only apologize for this anti-gay outburst, but the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL have a responsibility to take action and educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable."