This former NHL player entered and won a drag competition for Pride

Former NHL player Georges Laraque created a stir over the weekend with his drag performance and victory.

Taking the title at a Montreal Pride drag competition, Laraque sent a clear message about LGBTQ inclusion in and around the National Hockey League.

Laraque tweeted after his big victory (translated from the original French tweet):

Here is my “Drag Queen” look at last night’s @FierteMTLPride contest that I won thanks to the beautiful work of Miss Butterfly! In 2018, it is inconceivable that we still have to fight against homophobia. And personally it is with pleasure that I join this cause!

It’s a powerful message Laraque is sending. This isn’t your typical “ally” issuing a press release and hoping everyone notices. This is a black former NHL player dressing in drag and participating in an LGBTQ “Pride” event. That is what a true ally looks like as he breaks down powerful barriers of gender and homophobia.

Laraque played in the NHL for 15 seasons, skating for four clubs: the Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens. As one of the few black current or former NHL players, Laraque knows a thing or two about being a minority of minorities, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he empathizes with the plight of LGBTQ athletes in the NHL.