Lawyers For Civil Rights, a Boston-based group, has called on Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell to look into an uptick in LGBTQ bullying in school sports, especially Hockey. In a letter written on Tuesday, the group stated:
“We are concerned that this rise is a backlash to the growing visibility and popularity of the television series Heated Rivalry — and the resulting attention, commentary, and social media discourse it has generated around gay hockey players.”
According to the group, public high school athletes have been making an ever-increasing number of complaints in recent weeks regarding anti-queer bullying. The reports include increased usage in anti-LGBTQ slurs, homophobic comments, and locker room intimidation. The organization also sent a letter to Attorney General Campbell:
“LCR is also receiving reports that students who are gay — or perceived as gay — are being intentionally benched during games, denied meaningful playing time without legitimate athletic justification, and otherwise isolated from team events and bonding activities.”
The Lawyers For Civil Rights have called for Campbell to take immediate action to investigate these identity-based attacks on students.
