In a solid column, Columbus [Ohio] Dispatch sports reporter Michael Arace covers the recent events in pro sports. We'll just quote this paragraph:
"Traditionally, there is a lot of homophobia in sports," said Karla Rothan, executive director of Stonewall Columbus, which serves the local LGBT community.
"The Suns executive we applaud because we need more people of prominence to be open and honest to foster a better understanding," she said. "Those fines (for Bryant and Noah) were very fitting because we need awareness to change behavior. We don't want young people to think it's OK to bully people, or verbally harass, no matter what it is about."
Like Elvis Costello sang, what's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? We live in a city that hosts the largest annual gay pride event in the Midwest, a town where the NHL and the MLS franchises welcome gay ticket buyers for special events. Such is the smart percentage play, no matter what team you're on.
A great article from the Associated Press's national writer Paul Newberry slams the "insult-apologize-forgive" cycle that now seems to be the rule for pro sports:
Enough with the excuses.
Let's no longer cut any slack to an athlete who blurts out hateful, hurtful words about gays, even if they are really just upset with the refs or egged on by some moronic fan. Let's no longer tolerate those who think it's OK to throw around homophobic banter in a testosterone-fueled locker room, that no harm is intended when male athletes jokingly call out someone's sexual preference.
It's not acceptable anywhere, at any time, under any circumstances.
Got it?
It's time to deliver a stronger edict to every basketball, baseball, football and hockey player: If you insist on using the "f" word, no matter the provocation, you'll be assured of watching at least a game or two from the comfort of your hopefully soundproof living room. That way, at least, you can scream whatever you want and the rest of us don't have to hear it.
The NBA has taken strong steps to stamp out anti-gay attitudes, but it dropped the ball twice on Monday. Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls was fined $50,000 for spitting out that most hateful of gay slurs while going at it with a heckler during a playoff game in Miami.
Not enough, and the league looked even worse when it said Kobe Bryant was fined twice as much last month for a similar offense because he used it during a dispute with a referee.
Huh? That word is offensive, no matter the company.
Read in full HERE.
And the SF Gates Mark Morford has a good time with the theme in this column:
I'm going to lay it all on the line and bet you a dollar -- all right, make it $10, hell, make it $100 and a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a mani-pedi in the Castro -- that there is, right this minute, a gay NASCAR driver. Oh my God! Heathen! Blaspheme! Shut up!
Whatever. He might not know it yet, he might be utterly horrified by every little twitch and gurgle in his heart and loins as he whips around the track, fervently wishing he'd been born anywhere but Kentucky or Kansas or Tennessee, but gay he is. Ain't it grand?
Here is the amazing thing: Word is getting out -- slowly, strangely, awkwardly, but it's getting out nonetheless -- that gaydom abounds in pro sports.
Read in full HERE.
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