by Rachel Barter ’27 on March 19, 2026

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Letters to the Editor

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Dear Editors of The Cowl,

The Feb. 27 edition of The Cowl included a letter to the editor objecting to the Heated Rivalry portfolio section insert cover that appeared in the Feb. 12 issue. 

Foremost, I disagree with the author’s sweeping statements that, “…the Church is not okay with same-sex relations,” and therefore that the insert cover is in opposition to Providence College’s Catholic tradition. I want to recognize that the Catholic Church does not condone gay marriage or same-sex sexual acts (neither of which were depicted on the insert cover). However, the very existence of SHEPARD as a club on PC’s campus, a group for all members of the LGBTQQIAA* community whose name stands for Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudice and Restoring Dignity, contradicts the statement that the Heated Rivalry insert cover, as well as any other “explicit[ly] homosexual” representation, is in opposition to PC’s Catholic tradition. Objecting to and attempting to suppress a representation of two gay men in The Cowl is an example of homophobia, prejudice, and alienation, which PC recognizes, through the existence of SHEPARD, is unacceptable. The language of the letter to the editor and its assertions are extremely harmful and hateful which is, in itself, arguably contrary to Catholic teachings.

Moreover, I found it contradictory to believe in the freedom of the press and a student’s ability to openly share opinions “even if they happen to oppose Catholic teaching,” while objecting to the inclusion of two gay characters in our student newspaper. In fact, this letter silences the voices and representations of people who have opinions that “oppose Catholic teaching” and are using their voices to “express counter-cultural media, content that is overlooked and even reviled by the majority,” as demonstrated by this letter in response to the insert cover.

Lastly, I want to address the letter’s assertion that the insert cover as well as any other “explicit[ly] homosexual” representations have “no business being published in a Catholic school’s newspaper” because the “prominence of [insert cover] represents the student-body views as a whole.” First, as a student-run newspaper, The Cowl includes opinions and material for all students who choose to participate rather than pieces deemed to “represent[] the student-body views as a whole.” Second, the entire student body is not Catholic nor is the entire student-body “not okay with same-sex relations,” so using the logic of the letter, it would be representative for The Cowl to include a singular representation of gay love, accompanied by numerous heterosexual representations of love in the Valentine’s Day edition.

Here at PC, we should welcome everyone. But we should never welcome homophobia.

Sincerely, 

Rachel Barter ’27

Vice President of SHEPARD

by Greg Scimeca ’26  on February 27, 2026

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Letters to the Editor

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Dear Editors of The Cowl,  

This year’s Valentine’s publication featured a large page on the back side of the Portfolio Section of two gay men having an intimate moment. From what I am told, this was taken from the “largest pop culture reference to love,” which is from the show Heated Rivalry, a highly explicit homosexual TV show. I write this as someone who cherishes the Catholic Faith, and the values we hold at Providence College, namely truth and human dignity. First, I would like to speak to how strongly I believe in freedom of speech and of the press. For 250 years, our country has uniquely cherished freedom of speech. It is such a privilege to be able to use our voices to express counter-cultural media, content that is overlooked and even reviled by the majority. I also think that students should share their opinions, even if they happen to oppose Catholic teaching. Additionally, I would like to highlight PCs Catholic tradition. Rather than attempt to explain Catholic morality, I would like to simply say that the Church is not okay with same-sex relations. This is not to the exclusion of love. Instead, as St. Augustine teaches, we must love the person and hate the sin. Whether the editors intended to or not, this back cover page misrepresents the Catholic view of love. The article with the image was published on Valentine’s Day, a day that society perceives as a day to observe romantic love. At a Catholic school, this should be a day reserved for admiring the complementarity of the sexes as is discussed in Genesis and offering a perspective of virtue. 

Writing this on Feb. 24, I was struck by Christ’s teaching in the daily Gospel readings. He teaches to avoid praying like the pagans, saying, “Do not be like them.” This quote encapsulates what I would like to encourage by writing this letter. As a Catholic school, we should of course model Christ’s message in everything we do, from our speech, to our writing, and even to our policies. Thus, we should “not be like” modern society, which has become increasingly pagan. Hence, it would be an incorrect approach for our newspaper to portray simply whatever is popular at the time. Let me offer a few counterpoints. First, this article is not an Opinion piece. On the contrary, it takes up the entire center insert page of the Portfolio Section, as much as the five student articles on the opposite side. In my belief, this prominence of selection represents the student-body views as a whole. However, many students whom I have talked with feel as though this does not represent their deeply held Catholic beliefs, and has no business being published in a Catholic school’s newspaper. 

I want to offer a better, counter-cultural answer to this dilemma. Christ’s ministry, from its outset, was counter-cultural, fighting against the Pharisees, who set all the standards. He welcomed the outcasts, the scorned, and the unwanted. He rebuked sin of every kind, such as driving out the irreverent merchants in the temple. Most radically, he taught a harsh, violent world to turn the other cheek. By publishing this image, The Cowl, the student newspaper, becomes a spokesperson for the culture of sin which Christ came to annihilate.  

Here at Providence College, we should welcome everyone. But we should never welcome sin. 

Sincerely, 

Greg Scimeca ’26 

by Reese Cassidy ’28 on February 5, 2026

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A&E - Film & TV

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On the ice, they are rivals. Off the ice, they are something the sport rarely shows, at least
until now. Heated Rivalry follows two professional hockey players whose fierce
competition on the ice contrasts with a secret queer relationship off it. Set in a sport
known for its physicality and tradition, the series explores the cost of hiding a core part of
yourself just to fit in. Since its release, the show has drawn attention not just for its
drama, but for the way it places LGBTQ+ characters front and center in a genre where
they’ve often been absent. In just a few months, Heated Rivalry has sparked
conversations about representation in sports media and shown what inclusion can look
like both on screen and in real life.

What makes Heated Rivalry stand out is that it doesn’t just include LGBTQ+ characters,
but makes them the heart of a high-stakes, complex sports story. Rather than pushing
their identities to the background or only framing them through struggle, the show
presents its leads as talented, driven athletes juggling a relationship alongside the
pressures of professional hockey. That mix of ambition, vulnerability, and romance has
struck a chord with many viewers, especially younger audiences who rarely see queer
characters portrayed as both respected and successful in sports. As the show’s popularity
has grown, so has its reach, spilling over from streaming screens into broader discussions
about belonging and representation in athletics.

The impact has been visible in the hockey world itself. Since the show premiered,
conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion in the National Hockey League have gained
more attention, both online and at arenas. Pride Nights, themed warm-ups, and public
statements of support from teams have drawn fans in ways some link directly to Heated
Rivalry. For some, the series opened the door to a sport they had never followed, but for
others, it finally reflected experiences that had long been ignored. These responses
suggest the show is not just reflecting changing attitudes, it’s helping push them forward.

The influence of Heated Rivalry has even appeared in arenas. At the Philadelphia Flyers’
recent Pride Night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, some fans said they came to their first NHL
game because of the show, wearing Heated Rivalry jerseys and cheering alongside the
crowd as the LGBTQ+ theme was celebrated. In Boston, the Bruins marked “Hockey Is
For Everyone” night by wrapping players’ sticks with rainbow tape and inviting both
LGBTQ+ athletes and players from inclusive hockey programs onto the ice for opening
ceremonies. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames incorporated references to the show into
their Pride Night, playing music from the series and highlighting donations to LGBTQ+
advocacy efforts. Across arenas, these events show how a fictional story can inspire real-
world action, making hockey feel more welcoming and accessible to fans who might
never have followed the sport before.

The impact extends beyond the ice to the show’s stars. Hudson Williams and Connor
Storrie have stepped into roles as public representatives for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports
and media. Most notably, they were chosen as torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Olympic
Torch Relay in Feltre, Italy, a symbolic honor reflecting their influence on fans and the
larger conversation around inclusion. They’ve also appeared in interviews, panels, and
public events discussing representation in sports, using their platforms to encourage
young athletes to embrace who they truly are. In this way, Williams and Storrie have
turned their roles into a platform and have become real-world examples of how
storytelling can inspire change in communities that have long been underrepresented.
Together, the show, the actors, and NHL initiatives have created a ripple across hockey
culture. Fans post videos and messages celebrating Heated Rivalry during games, often
highlighting Pride Nights or moments when teams spotlighted inclusion efforts. Social
media discussions and community events show audiences connecting the show’s themes
to real hockey experiences. By inspiring both fan engagement and league recognition, the
series demonstrates that on-screen representation can influence who feels welcome in the
sport—and how organizations signal that inclusivity matters.

Heated Rivalry shows that a TV show can do more than entertain; it can start a
conversation. By centering LGBTQ+ athletes in a high-pressure hockey story, it has
inspired fans, shaped NHL initiatives, and given real-life role models in Williams and
Storrie. Its impact proves that representation matters not just on screens but in arenas,
locker rooms, and communities where young athletes are searching for someone to reflect
their experiences. In just a few months, a story about rivals on the ice has become a story
about inclusion, visibility, and the power of seeing yourself represented.