Seattle Kraken Trainer Justin Rogers Becomes First Openly Gay NHL Support Staff on Bench
Seattle Kraken trainer Justin Rogers has made history by coming out as the first openly gay support staff member on an NHL bench. In a heartfelt letter addressed to his younger self and published by the NHL, Rogers reassured himself that the struggles he faced would eventually ease over time. He expressed his journey towards self-acceptance as a gay man and emphasized the importance of building an authentic life while welcoming others into it.
Rogers acknowledged the challenges of being gay and walking into team locker rooms, where fears of acceptance often loom for those in the queer community. However, he highlighted the existence of a supportive community within the sports world, composed of LGBTQ+ individuals who share similar experiences. Rogers expressed his dedication to educating athletes and humanizing queer people, aiming to create positive exposure in a world that lacks such representation.
The trainer shared that he had known he was gay for years before feeling comfortable enough to come out to his friends and family in 2014. Earlier this year, Rogers took the courageous step of revealing his truth to Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis, who provided unwavering support. Francis expressed his gratitude for Rogers’s trust and expressed his desire to help him share his uniqueness with others.
While Rogers’s coming out marks an important milestone, it also arrives at a time when the NHL’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community remains somewhat turbulent. Previously, the league had issued a ban on players wearing rainbow-themed gear or using LGBTQ+-themed tape on sticks during Pride Night events. This decision sparked widespread outrage, leading to player backlash and a subsequent reversal of the ban.
Rogers’s bravery in sharing his story as an openly gay support staff member serves as an inspiration, particularly to young athletes who may still be in the closet. His journey offers hope and demonstrates that it is possible to thrive in the hockey world while living authentically. As the NHL continues to navigate its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, individuals like Justin Rogers play a vital role in fostering inclusion, understanding, and acceptance within the sport.
