Things were far from chilly during a recent hockey game in Minnesota where two separate engagements took place — both celebrating queer love.
The Minnesota Frost played one of their Pride Unity Games on Sunday, March 30, and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Facing off against the Toronto Sceptres, the home team scored with a 5-2 win, breaking out of the losing streak that had plagued them for the prior three matches.
While that in and of itself would have given attendees plenty to cheer about, there were other reasons to celebrate.
"We felt the love yesterday at Xcel with not one, but TWO proposals!" reads a post from the team’s official Instagram. "Congratulations to the happy couples!"
Jumbotrons at sporting events have a long history of turning the spotlight on couples, whether for kissing or for these (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime moments. They have an equally long history of heteronormativity, and sometimes outright homophobia, so scrolling to the last slide in the carousel and seeing a queer couple’s engagement broadcast to the crowd like that feels pretty special.
And that’s something that was clearly felt by spectators, both online and in person.
"This was SO cool to see in person!" wrote @cammie12357. "Big props to the Frost for being a part of these couples’ big moments."
"We were sitting next to the second couple. They were just darling, and so, so happy!" @donnit14 chimed in.
"ON PRIDE NIGHT," @katiejohnson_mpls added. "i’m crying! So sweet!"
Proposing in such a public way is definitely a major swing to take, but in the current political climate, it’s as important as ever for LGBTQ+ people to live loud and proud. And considering how happy these couples look, it was a power play that paid off.
