The former Blackhawks defenseman, Brent Sopel escorted the Stanley Cup in today's Gay Pride parade in Chicago to honor Maple Leafs General Manager, Brian Burke's son, Brendan. He got killed in a car accident in February. Sopel was ecstatic in delivering this gesture to the Burke family.

Usually homosexuality in sports is a banned subject, about which either a player or a management member never openly express who they are. Brendan Burke, being the son of such a well known figure in hockey figures, did so exclusively.

When he died, the expression of emotion and recognition by people indicate that the bad feelings which people had about him were less apparent in a more progressive era like this.

Wright said before the parade, “I've yet to fully metabolize the impact this may or may not have on my career. But I've been amazed by the emotional breadth of the experience. It's been wonderful”.

According to a recent CBS News poll, nearly eight in 10 Americans know someone who is gay or lesbian, which is more than 35 percentage points since 1992. People had come to attend the parade in order to show an acceptance of gays and lesbians. Politicians marched and they were followed by dancers from gay nightclubs.

Hughes agreed that times have changed.