""The language, behaviours, and attitudes that you get in locker rooms are homophobic which starts at a very young age and progresses through your whole life. You're programmed to feel that everyone will hate you and you'll lose your career," he says. McGillis adds: "Sometimes I don't think people recognise what they're saying or the impact it has. But if you're hearing that daily, it's death by 1,000 paper cuts.""
"In response to comments by former hockey pro Sean Avery that Heated Rivalry could help players come out, McGillis disagrees "wholeheartedly". He also says: "That's just [Avery] trying to get press." He tells PinkNews: "It might help the people around [players] understand a little more if they're dating somebody; hopefully." But he points to his own coming out as well as Luke Prokop's with both men doing "every press" and laments more "[players] didn't jump out of the closet"."
Brock McGillis, the first out gay professional hockey player, rejects the notion that the drama Heated Rivalry will drive closeted players to come out. He recalls hiding a three-year relationship, using an alias for his partner, and experiencing intense fear about discovery. He characterises locker-room language, behaviours, and attitudes as homophobic from a young age, programming players to expect hatred and career loss. He describes daily remarks as cumulative damage. He disputes Sean Avery's optimism as press-seeking, notes his and Luke Prokop's public visibility, and hopes the series might at least increase understanding for those close to players.
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