Blackhawks' Brent Sopel To March In Chicago Gay Pride

BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF 
PUBLISHED: JUNE 25, 2010

Sunday's Chicago gay pride parade will include a Chicago Cubs float and
NHL player Brent Sopel, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Previously, only retired sports figures have marched in the parade, which
 runs down North Halsted Street in Chicago's north side gay neighborhood
 known as Boystown.

Riding on the Chicago Cubs float will be “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks.

The Cubs are the first Major League Baseball team to have an openly gay
owner. Laura Ricketts, a member of the Ricketts family, whose members completed their purchase of the sports landmark last year, is a prominent
gay rights advocate.

And carrying the Stanley Cup for the Chicago Blackhawks will be
defenseman Brent Sopel. Sopel will be marching in honor of Brendan Burke,
the son of
Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke. Brendan Burke,
who died in a car accident in February, announced last year he's gay.

“Everyone has feelings and everyone is a person,” Sopel, who'll march
in the parade with his wife and children, told the paper. “That's what we
continue to promote to our kids. I hope [the gay community] gets
 equality and what they're looking for.”

Chicago's annual parade is now in its 40^th year