Who knew that New York Rangers hockey-goon and serial dater Sean Avery had such a soft spot for relationships? The abrasive and controversial NHL winger appeared in an ad this week endorsing same-sex marriage for the Human Rights Campaign's New Yorkers for Marriage Equality drive. Now Avery is garnering criticism for standing up for the group's message.
Avery might seem like an odd choice to appear in the video, along with former-President Bill Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and actors Julianne Moore and Sam Waterston, which advocates gay marriage.
The polarizing Avery--who once interned a summer at Vogue magazine, got suspended for making nasty remarks about his ex-girlfriend actress Elisha Cuthbert and got bum-rushed from Dallas to New York for his dirty play and filthier mouth--has never fit squarely into any mold. Supporting same-sex marriage in the macho world of professional sports is another twist in his colorful image.
"I treat everyone the way that I expect to be treated, and that includes marriage," said Avery.
It would have been easier for Avery to stump for other popular, cut-and-dry social issues like safe-sex or drug use, but he took a position that even the most ardent Avery fans might not accept.
