LGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues play on amid challenges and fresh interest due to 'Heated Rivalry'

NewsWorldAmericasLGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues play on amid challenges and fresh interest due to 'Heated Rivalry'In the United States, there are a handful of LGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues that provide welcoming havens for members of these more marginalized communities to play the sport they loveAndrew Destin Tuesday 28 April 2026 17:38 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"3f1eeb5688d060f69a19a4080b44172b","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/lgbtq-seattle-pride-donald-trump-pittsburgh-b2966626.html","title":"LGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues play on amid challenges and fresh interest due to 'Heated Rivalry'"}}LGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues play on amid challenges and fresh interest due to 'Heated Rivalry'Show all 4{"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","className":"","title":"LGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues play on amid challenges and fresh interest due to 'Heated Rivalry'","gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Heated Rivalry LGBTQ Leagues Hockey","description":"Steven Thompson, co-founder of the Seattle Pride Hockey Association (SPHA), sifts through some of his hockey memorabilia at his home in Des Moines, Wash., Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Destin)","caption":"Heated Rivalry LGBTQ Leagues Hockey","copyright":"Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","credit":"ASSOCIATED PRESS","alt":null,"url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/04/28/17/Heated_Rivalry_LGBTQ_Leagues_Hockey_52744.jpg","id":"aa6163801fb74dd5b36381c656d8cf01","mid":6646443,"uid":0,"smartframe":null,"extra":{"imageSize":{"width":5000,"height":3333}}},"type":"image"},{"data":{"title":"Heated Rivalry LGBTQ Leagues Hockey","description":"Steven Thompson, co-founder of the Seattle Pride Hockey Association (SPHA), sif...