The idea for this Pride House, organized in collaboration with South Korean activists, is based on the tradition of Olympic delegations opening hospitality houses to showcase their home nations' culture and history and welcome fans. Rather than focusing on a particular nationality or team, the Pride House welcomes all.
"The mission of Pride House," says Keph Senett, a trustee with Scottish-based Pride House International, is to create a "place where people can go and watch games, and hang out and eat food and all that ‐ sort of experience the games in a safe and welcoming way."
As for Team Canada, Senett said, "They are saying very clearly, 'We support this mission.' "
Canada's hospitality house ‐ created out of a gateball clubhouse (a game similar to cricket) ‐ has a ski-lodge vibe. It offers lounge chairs, fire pits and table hockey games outside. When we visited, a capacity crowd had gathered in a pub-like area inside to watch Team Canada play (and defeat) the U.S. women's hockey team.