{"id":663932,"date":"2026-05-25T10:50:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T10:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/663932\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T10:50:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T10:50:18","slug":"carolina-hurricanes-nc-gayniacs-build-community-for-all-canes-hockey-fans-in-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/663932\/","title":{"rendered":"Carolina Hurricanes NC | ‘Gayniacs’ build community for all Canes hockey fans in North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A growing group of Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> fans is working to create a more inclusive space for LGBTQ hockey supporters who say they have often felt excluded from the sport’s community.<\/p>\n

Organizers of the Carolina Gayniacs<\/a> say their goal is to bring fans together and provide a welcoming environment to cheer on the Hurricanes while building connections beyond the rink.<\/p>\n

“The NHL really likes to say that hockey is for everybody. I personally don’t believe that, but I think it should be,” said Matt Parr, a co-founder of the Carolina Gayniacs<\/a>. “I grew up playing hockey in a non hockey market and played all through childhood and never really felt like the rink or the locker room was a safe place for me.”<\/p>\n

Some LGBTQ<\/a> fans say attending games or participating in hockey culture has not always felt safe.<\/p>\n

“People are screaming slurs in the stadium in the parking lot,” said Dana Salmon-Skjellum, another co-founder.<\/p>\n

The group began with a simple online post from a gay Canes fan seeking others in the LGBTQ community to watch Hurricanes games together. That post quickly gained traction.<\/p>\n

“We set up a discord with some other folks and just got going, had our first meet up two months ago and it’s really just exploded,” Salmon-Skjellum said.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Gayniacs<\/a> now host weekly events, including watch parties like one held at Raleigh Brewing on Saturday night, where fans gather to cheer on the team in an inclusive, supportive atmosphere.<\/p>\n

“In just two months, I mean, we saw hundreds of people flow in,” co-founder Mel Lennon said.<\/p>\n

Organizers say the recent success of the TV show Heated Rivalry is drawing new fans to the sport, and they want those fans to know there is a place for them.<\/p>\n

“Whether it’s about the sport or not, just to know that there’s people out there for you. It’s really special. It’s really important,” Lennon said.<\/p>\n

The group plans to continue hosting events even after the hockey season ends, with hopes of organizing a large outing at the Lenovo Center in the future.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2026 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n