Now that Sean Avery has played his part in New York State’s passage and adoption of the Marriage Equality Act that grants the same rights to all married couples regardless of sexual orientation, the Rangers winger would like the NHL to become involved in issues of social justice, beginning with this one.
“I understand that the NHL represents 30 different owners who come from different backgrounds and hold different viewpoints, but I think it would be meaningful for Gary [commissioner Bettman] and the Board of Governors to open themselves up for conversation about this issue,” Avery told The Post yesterday.
Avery both appeared in a public service announcement in support of the bill and went to Albany on June 14 to lobby undecided state senators on its behalf.
“The support I received from the Garden, Mr. [James] Dolan, Glen [Rangers general manager Sather] and [president of MSG Sports] Scott O’Neil meant everything to me, but it was a little disappointing not to have heard from anyone connected with the league,” Avery said.
“It would be great for the NHL to take the lead among professional sports leagues in terms of social equality and justice and be out front and progressive regarding issues like this.”
This both is and is not the same Sean Avery who is vile in his trash-talking on the ice with few, if any, holds barred.
“It’s like I have a split personality on and off the ice, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that,” he said. “People who only know me as a player don’t know me at all.
“None of my friends were surprised that I welcomed the opportunity to become involved in this when I was approached by New Yorkers United for Marriage.”
Avery said he has been inundated with messages from friends since the bill was passed on Friday night and then signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Avery will attend a reception of supporters tonight that will include Barbara Bush, President George W. Bush’s daughter whom Avery referred to as a “kind of a trailblazer who opened my eyes to the situation.”
“This is very, very special for a lot people across the U.S., in New York State and for a lot of my friends,” Avery said. “What’s a more genuine issue than having the same rights as everyone else when it comes to marriage?
“You don’t have to be gay to know when something is fundamentally not right.”
Avery said he’s “proud” of the role he played in the fight. He is a hockey player — and Ranger — first, but willing and eager to continue to lend his support to the cause.
“I plan on having my best season for the Rangers,” Avery said. “I want to help the Rangers go as far as possible and repay management and ownership and the fans for their faith in me.
“At the same time, I’m embedded in this issue. I don’t want to exaggerate my importance because there are a lot of people who have devoted their lives to this, but I think the PSA increased visibility and that the face-to-face lobbying I did had an impact.”
The NHL has never had an openly gay or bisexual player. This might be 2011, but Avery doesn’t believe the environment in the industry would tolerate it.
“There would be so much to overcome, I don’t think it’s practically possible,” Avery said. “If I was gay or bisexual, it would probably be easier for me to come out than anybody else, because how much more could there be on me than there is already?
“I’m sure there are a number of players around the league who think I am gay or bi, and maybe more now since I got involved in this, and even though I’m not, I have no problem with that at all.
“This is a great time to be a New Yorker. The happiness and genuine joy from my gay friends says it all. In the end, we all want to be treated as equals.”