Brad Ratgen: Anti-Gay Doesn't Play for NHL, "You Can Play" and Yours Truly "You Can Play" Foundation Changing Hearts, Minds and Attitudes at Home and Abroad; This Blogger's Personal Story About His Openly Gay Teenage Son.

Powerful.


Thank you for sharing this!

This was a great read. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

Your son is lucky to have a caring and Aristotelian father. Putin is repeating Hitler at the 1936 games. Shame on the IOC.

This is probably the best blog I have ever read on this site.

This is probably the best blog I have ever read on this site.
- jaumiller

I was going to say the same thing. Thank you for this. I look forward to the day when there are openly gay professional athletes across all sports. And also to the day where being gay is simply just another non-entity, like having green eyes or brown hair. Nobody should ever have to feel shame about who they are.

Wonderful blog, Brad.

Not to rehash the same comment but this is one of the most powerful blogs I have read , not only here on hockey buzz, but on any other site I have been to. I only hope that if my own son comes to me one-day and "comes out" that I handle it with as much love and understating as Brian Burke and your self ..very inspirational and iApplaud you.. thank you for this insight

Great blog Brad. Powerful message and one that needs to and should resinate with each person to create and foster more tolerance.

Excellent work.

not meant in a hateful manner, but no doubt received as hurtful.

Absolutely profound statement here. How often do we say things, oblivious to how they are taken.

Thanks Brad, I have two little girls and I will definitely be squeezing them a little tighter when I get home from work.

Easily one of the best articles I have read on this or any site...

Major props to you Brad and to your family.

-Go Hawks

Great article.

Very nice, Brad. All the best to your son. It's very courageous of him to come out in middle school. You should be very proud.

Brad what a great article, you must be some kind of father that your son would come to you at such a young age. I didn't come out to my father until I was in my 20s and living on my own to ensure I didn't get thrown out of the house and into the streets being my father was a man of God. As it turned out it my own fears that drove me a little crazy. My father told me that I was his son and he loved me no matter what. Best of luck to you and your son!

Let's go Rangers


Mark

This by far is the best piece ever written on this site. All the best to you and your family.

Excellent

This is probably the best blog I have ever read on this site.
- jaumiller

Agreed

Fantastic.

Great Article

As others have said, this is the best piece on this site.

Very well done, good sir.

I applaud you for being so open.
This should not be the only site this is seen on.

Good article Brad...you should be proud of who you are, and of your son! Life is too short to worry about who one loves, worry about yourself...it is incredible how the phrases we use can be so hurtful to others...makes you think twice.

Brad Ratgen: Anti-Gay Doesn't Play for NHL, "You Can Play" and Yours Truly
"You Can Play" Foundation Changing Hearts, Minds and Attitudes at Home and Abroad; This Blogger's Personal Story About His Openly Gay Teenage Son.
- Brad Ratgen

nice read

Waaaay too much information! You could have kept this between yourself and your loved ones.