Teams, (Russian) players, and their families are now being threatened by Russia for wearing the NHLs Pride Night warm-up jerseys.

Sportsnet: The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country.

The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the move.

The Blackhawks have worn Pride warmup jerseys previously and donned special warmup jerseys on some other themed nights this season. There had been ongoing conversations about a Pride jersey with the players, according to the person who talked to the AP, but the organization made the decision to hold Pride Night without the jerseys this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in December that significantly expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country. Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russia or other connections to the country.

The decision by the Blackhawks comes after San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer, and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to take part in warmups with Pride-themed jerseys. The New York Rangers opted not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride stick tape as part of their night in January despite previously advertising that plan.

I feel the same way about Pride night that I do about the Anthem. I like it, but I hate what it comes with.

Militant thinking. From everywhere. Pride nights are about an opportunity to politicize and crush people as much as they are about acceptance and inclusion.

Russian-born players in the NHL have lived under the constant threat of Familial attacks since they started playing in the NHL. The Russian PR game is as solid as the Russian “We’ll murder your family if you step out of line game.”

They kidnapped Oleg Teverdosky’s mother holding her for 200k ransom.

Artmei Panarin had to take a month off to get his family out of Russia, last year.

Alex Ovechkin took a sudden “personal” leave this year to return to a “Family Matter” in Russia.

Russia is a gay-hating terrorist state that has no problem killing family members of dissidents/ex-pats who embarrass Mother Russia and Pedo Putin’s clear projection of hatred. Putin has organized Gay Death Squads who go door to door, rooting out LGTBQ+Russians. They are sent to Prison and, now, to the front lines in Ukraine along with anyone who dares to promote inclusion or a homosexual lifestyle.

The new Anti-Gay Propaganda law, coupled with Putin’s new Foreign “Agent” law, puts any family member of any Russian in the NHL who wears a pride jersey in Jeopardy.

The Threat is unfortunately there, and I think the NHL is doing its best to manage the threat, which is very real here and in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill that expands a ban on so-called LGBTQ “propaganda” in Russia, making it illegal for anyone to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are “normal.”

The ban was rubber-stamped by Putin just days after a harsh new “foreign agents” law came into effect, as the Kremlin cracks down on free speech and human rights as its military operation in Ukraine falters.

The new laws make it illegal to promote or “praise” LGBTQ relationships, publicly express non-heterosexual orientations or suggest that they are “normal.”

The package of amendments signed by Putin include heavier penalties for anyone promoting “non-traditional sexual relations and/or preferences,” as well as pedophilia and gender transition. Under the new law, it will be banned across the internet, media, books, audiovisual services, cinema, and advertising.

Under the new law, individuals can be fined up to 400,000 rubles ($6,370) for “LGBT propaganda” and up to 200,000 rubles ($3,185) for “demonstrations of LGBT and information that encourages a change of gender among teenagers.”