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this is a fantastic article about an amazing man and his amazing family
there is something in my eye

Every single time I read something concerning Brendan and Brian Burke, I feel my eyes well up with tears. Every child should be lucky to have a loving father like Brian, and every parent should be lucky to have such a strong and amazing child.

Thanks for this article Curl.

Is there a better sports writer in Toronto, or even Canada, than Bruce Arthur right now?

Such a sad topic, handled so well…

A sad story about a strong man and family. What a tough time for Burke and he still managed to sign Versteeg, Armstrong, Kulemin and JFM.

A good friend of mine is staying in Toronto this summer and his apartment is right in the middle of all the Pride celebrations that have been going on. Last night a group of us went out and felt what an overwhelmingly positive and inclusive environment that has been created around the whole Pride weekend and this just tops it all for me. I am sad that I didn’t stay for the parade now, as I knew a few people marching and after having read this I just wish that I was there to show my support.

I am sorry if I get a little personal here, but this is something near and dear to my heart. I am happy to say that I am now an active member of the GLBT community both at home and school in various ways and this story both greatly saddens me and makes me happy to know that every day we continue to break down barriers and stigmas. I just hope that Brendan is in the next life and he knows that he was an inspiration for so many people, including myself. So for that I can’t thank Brendan and of course Brian for keeping the hope alive.

A wonderful article. Brian Burke and the rest of his family are carrying on Brendan’s legacy and spreading a fantastic message to everyone. They are a great family, all of them.

Stellar piece by Arthur. Incredibly moving.

Things seem to happen for a reason, whether fate, or act of God, or by the natural order of the universe, believe what you will. So many twists of fate later, from Burke being signed here, to Brendan coming out when he did, the Buccigross piece, the accident…

This tragedy has brought the attention of the sporting world upon the issue of gay athletes, and homosexuality in general. While it’s of little solace to those mourning Brendan this day, I believe that that particular young man would consider the price paid good value.

There is no greater primordial soup than this city, this hockey club, this date in time, and this family in which to give new life to this movement. Toronto hosts the largest Pride parade of it’s kind in North America, in a country renown throughout the world as a bastion of human rights and freedoms. The Maple Leafs are arguably the most successful franchise in North America, with the most ardently loyal fan base.

This millenium, short tenured as it has yet been, has shown time and again that the public at large is ready to accept LGBT people in all ways, even as unfamiliarity makes then uncomfortable. It had furloughed it’s brow disapprovingly at those whose sensitivities have not yet matured accordingly.

Is there a more prominent family in all of sport than the Burke’s? More affable? More loyal? More respected? Is there a more outspoken and bombastic figure than Brian Burke? You’d be hard-pressed to find a family comparable in these aspects.

This moment, captured and fostered properly, can grant Brendan the calalyst ever-lasting life, and the family a legacy that no bevy of Stanley Cups could rival.

This movement already had wings, now it has a very prominent public figurehead, and a compelling narrative. I’ve witnessed progress first-hand. I work in a Toronto-area high school, and for the first time ever I’ve witnessed an openly gay teenage boy attend, no small feat in the image and hormone driven microcosm that is high school. Good friends of mine have informed me of their sexuality, and been accepted as readily as they were before. In fact, this year I was in attendance with them at Pride festivities, my first time ever.

I sincerely hope that the fuse is lit, that teams and organizations will begin to support LGBT activism, by donating to the cause, being visible at events, and most importantly, by fostering environments of individuality, acceptance and inclusion.

I hope that gay athletes find the courage to be the people they are, and completely unapologetic. I also hope straight athletes find the courage to realize that acceptance begins by acting on the strength of their convictions, and standing side by side with their gay teammates. It’s long past due.

Sorry to wax, but this issue has moved me.

Brian Burke is just a wonderful human being. Despite whatever his reputation as a GM is or will become, I’ll always be proud to say, “Hey, Brian Burke was the GM of my team.”

Great story. Brian is doing a great job instilling Brendan’s legacy, which in turn will help a lot of people. Good to see him do it, and hopefully it leads to some progression to how gays are seen in the sport.

It’s slightly depressing to read this article way down in the heart of the midwest and realize how incredibly far this neck of the woods still has to go. There are people walking around here for whom out and out homophobia is completely natural and unabashed. Makes me incredibly proud of TO, but… Yeah.

On a more optimistic note, I don’t know how many of you follow it, but fivethirtyeight.com is a web site run by a guy who was big into baseball advanced stats who has now turned those skills onto political analysis, and according to his estimates, the US public is moving towards a pro-gay marriage stance at about 2% per year, and is due to cross the 50% threshhold in not very long. Of course this is somewhat heterogenous by region – it’s going to take a lot longer before Alabama comes fully to its senses on the issue – but it is cause for hope that the forces of intolerance on this issue are starting to slowly run out of time down here.

This little addition to the ongoing Brian/Brendan Burke story solidifies what I consider to be a pretty groundbreaking situation in professional sports. I feel more proud to be a sports fan in general after reading stuff like this. All hail the tearing down of ancient stereotypes. Keep paving the way Brian, and RIP Brendan.

I’m seriously considering getting a Leaf’s jersey with “Burke” on the back.

He seriously has given me a whole new outlook on life.

I am so proud of this whole family.

I knew I was going to cry before I started reading.

Life can be so incredibly unfair sometimes.

Brendan is a big reason why I came out during last season. While I cannot come out to some family members at this time it’s stories like these that make me hopeful for the future.

We are lucky to have Burkie as a GM and as a person and father figure. A great guy.

I admire Brian and Brendan for all that they’ve done. Hopefully, their brave actions can pave the way for openly gay athletes.

Thanks for keeping your word, Burkie.

Here’s hoping you never have to pay for a drink in this town ever again.

Through a twist of fate, I came into contact and made friends with members of the LGBTQ community in Ohio, of all places, through a web forum for a graphic novel (read comic, heh).

Anyway, long story short but one of the friends had to get a male date for the prom because the girl she was in love with and her would have been outed if they’d gone as they wanted to. Her parents still hope that it’s a phase, her brother hasn’t talked to her in 7 years…but she’s found solace in a great person over there.

The fact is, even in Canada that’sa mostly inclusive, being gay can be hard. Not “I’ve got a nagging toothache” hard and not “My sneakers are killing me” hard and not “Should I take the Big Mac or the McChicken” hard but “Wow, my family might disown me, I might get beaten up at school and I can’t tell that guy/that girl I like them” hard.

We do take for granted that we’re a freer, more respectable country and we are, but we have a long way to go. I feel terrible that Burkie had to lose his son so early in his life; it must be gut-wrenching and world-changing for our GM. That said, that Burke can take a step and be in the Pride Parade and even talk openly about, is great.

Burke isn’t only reaching out to his son’s memory but he’s helping every gay, lesbian, transgendered and bi person out there get a little more faith in themselves and take the steps to be free, if not ever safe.

Props Burkie, you’ve earned them off and on the ice.