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In November of 2016, Brock McGillis became the first openly gay men’s professional hockey player. Now retired, he has spent years advocating for inclusivity in sports, and now, through his U.S. Shiftmakers Tour, he continues. He’s challenging homophobia, fostering inclusion, and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Last year, The Advocate wrote about McGillis’ tour across Canada, where he proved that real change is possible. The Canadian tour was so successful that now, backed by sponsors including the NHL, NHLPA, Seattle Kraken, Chicago Blackhawks, and Warner Bros, he has expanded his efforts into the United States.
Now, McGillis has been touring the country and going to cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boston, with stops in the Midwest as well, reaching out to youth hockey teams and organizations, emphasizing that fostering inclusive environments is not just a moral imperative, it’s essential for the future of the sport.
“It’s a lot of work,” McGillis said. “There was one stretch where I worked 72 hours and was up for 64 of them. I’m putting in 12-plus-hour days on the road, minimum. But it’s been so worth it.”
McGillis’ approach is both deeply personal and highly practical. He shares his own journey not as an endpoint, but as a means to start conversations about being a “shift maker.” His goal is to empower young athletes to stand up against discrimination, to rethink their language, and to create a safer, more inclusive hockey culture.
“I challenge them to be brave,” McGillis explains. “To not laugh when someone’s being bullied, to stand up when someone gets picked on, to intervene when their teammates or friends do something harmful. It’s about being courageous in everyday situations.”
One of his key teaching methods involves three ways to create change, humanizing issues, shaping the environment, and focusing on language. Through team discussions, McGillis encourages players to open up in ways they often don’t.
“I ask them to tell me something about themselves,” he stated. “They always have two answers in their head, the surface-level one, and the one they’re afraid to share. I accept either, but they know which one they gave me, and we go from there.”
Since implementing this approach, McGillis has witnessed powerful moments of vulnerability that are transforming locker rooms.
“I’ve had players talk about self-harm. Others have admitted they hate pretending to laugh along at racist jokes. One player stood up and said, ‘I have a stutter. You guys make fun of me to the point where I don’t want to speak in public.’ These are things they’ve never said out loud before. And when they do, it changes everything,” McGillis pointed out.
The impact of the Shiftmakers Tour has been overwhelmingly positive. “We do surveys everywhere we go. The feedback is resoundingly good. I never expected the level of engagement I’ve gotten,” McGillis said. “It’s fueling me.”
What’s perhaps most surprising is that his message is resonating across political and cultural divides. “I’ve been in conservative areas, and I’ve had staunch Republicans in tears,” he noted. “It transcends politics. People are seeing the human impact of bullying and excluding someone.”
McGillis credits this success to his approach. “A friend of mine pointed out that we need more advocates who work from the inside to shift hearts and minds. Social media has created an environment where whoever yells the loudest gets the most influence. My approach is different. Even when people completely disagree with me, I don’t argue. I advocate.”
And it’s working. The NHL and NHLPA have supported McGillis for two years in a row. Teams in both the U.S. and Canada are on board. Coaches are seeing the change firsthand.
“We can’t create a safe space for LGBTQ+ players, BIPOC players, women, or disabled athletes if straight white kids are tearing each other down,” McGillis said. “This has to be a holistic approach. And once players recognize their privilege and understand how their behavior impacts others, it builds empathy. It creates a movement.”
The movement is growing beyond individual teams. Players who have participated in McGillis’ sessions are staying in touch, sending messages of gratitude, and sharing their experiences.
“There was a kid whose family is in Ukraine. He’s here playing hockey alone. At first, he shared something lighthearted: ‘I sing in the shower,’ he said.’ But after hearing his teammates open up, he went again: ‘I don’t know if my family is in a shelter or not. When I talk to them, I feel like I can’t be a kid. I can’t complain about hockey or school or friends because they’re dealing with so much worse.’”
McGillis paused for a moment, and reflected on that. “How does a kid go and bully someone like that after they share something that vulnerable? And how do his teammates ever mistreat him after hearing that?”
These moments are what drive McGillis forward. With each city he visits, each locker room conversation he sparks, the culture of hockey shifts. And as the Shiftmakers Tour continues to expand, he hopes to reach even more players, coaches, and communities.
“This isn’t just about hockey,” McGillis explained. “It’s about creating a world where everyone belongs.”
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