In 2015, a group of youth hockey players in Sudbury, Ontario experienced a pivotal moment that sparked a cultural shift within their team and beyond. After an exhausting workout, a younger player made a homophobic remark. An older teammate intervened by demanding the player do 50 pushups as a consequence for his words. This practice of holding teammates accountable spread across teams in the region.
Brock McGillis, the first openly gay professional hockey player and advocate for inclusivity, commented on this event’s significance: “In that moment, I knew that we could create a shift in this culture.” He emphasized that shifts can be created around various issues like racism, misogyny, and mental health.
McGillis has since embarked on a speaking tour called Shiftmakers across North America to promote inclusivity and acceptance. He shares his experiences as a closeted gay man in the hockey world to humanize marginalized communities and teach others how to create cultural shifts.
He identifies three methods to achieve these changes: humanizing issues by putting faces and stories behind them; creating open environments where people feel safe; and breaking conformity by encouraging individuals to embrace their uniqueness.
“When you put a face to an issue it becomes more real,” McGillis stated. He stressed the importance of bravery in fostering safe spaces: “The easiest way to make sure people don’t feel bad is through your words.”
McGillis also categorizes harmful language into five types: direct slurs, indirect slurs, laughter at inappropriate jokes, non-verbal cues like dirty looks, and silence or complicity when witnessing prejudice.
His advocacy work includes encouraging players to share personal experiences they would typically hide due to locker room culture. This openness often leads to greater empathy among teammates.
“You have the ability to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome,” McGillis said. His message emphasizes authenticity: “Be unapologetic about it…you’re going to perform better.”
The Sudbury incident inspired McGillis’ advocacy journey and led him to assist thousands struggling with identity-related challenges. It demonstrates how small gestures against prejudice can have far-reaching impacts.
“You all have the ability to do that,” McGillis concluded. “You all have the ability to create those small little shifts.”
