Carly Jackson lets her personality shine on the ice as a gay athlete, all the way to a championship
Jackson played hockey with the boys growing up, and she’s blossomed on the ice with the women.
By Cyd Zeigler for Outsports –
Carly Jackson grew up in hockey playing with boys.
That’s simply how the young woman in Nova Scotia found her way through the ice hockey ranks, often the only girl playing against boys.
And, many times, beating them.
At the end of high school, Jackson found herself in the enviable position of recruitment to play NCAA women’s ice hockey.
Nearby Maine beckoned.
“I got a scholarship from the University of Maine to play on their women’s team, and I had the most amazing time.”
As she could now immerse herself in women’s hockey, she saw a whole different culture where she could blossom as a person and a player.
“If people could see a peek inside the locker room, on the women’s side, it’s amazing how accepting we can be with each other. There’s a good chunk in women’s hockey where queer people are everywhere.
“I don’t think there’s been a women’s professional hockey team where there hasn’t been somebody who’s gay.”
READ MORE HERE
https://www.outsports.com/2023/10/12/23911630/carly-jackson-women-ice-hockey-toronto-six-gay-athlete
photo: Carly Jackson embraces the Isobel Cup after winning the Premier Hockey Federation championship earlier this year. Lori Bolliger
