Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

The only favor Hardaway did to society was expose the ignorance that exists on the subject. I guess to say something so hatefull will atleast encourage others to roll their eyes at anyone who maintain prejudice against them.

Once again, if your not about the lifestyle, thats cool... But to say you hate the person.... not cool.

I don't mean to be a dick, but I've got several openly gay friends and they've got some shit to deal with. An interesting point that Amaechi made was when someone said that being gay was a choice. He simply said "why would I want to choose a lifestyle like this.... who would possibly want to choose this". I think people need to gain perspective on the issue before going all ape-shit and saying they "hate".

Good post. I totally agree that comments like these will only further the gay rights movement. I tend to think the gay marriage bans will have the same effect - they make gay rights a legitimate national issue and gay marriage something that is so plausible and contested that it has to be legislated against.

As for gays "choosing to be gay," my brother is gay and believe me, I knew from day 1. I was out playing football with my brothers and he was always interested in playing with dolls or watchign "My Little Pony' (no joke). Obviously, not all homosexual males are like that and I don't mean to stereotype, but he definately did not choose to be gay. Why would anyone choose to be gay? To be persecuted or have family members possibly ostracize you? When someone says to me that gays choose to be gay, I always wonder to myself, "Do you think that because you find other males' asses attractive?" or "Could you ever choose to have sex with a man?"

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Good post. I totally agree that comments like these will only further the gay rights movement. I tend to think the gay marriage bans will have the same effect - they make gay rights a legitimate national issue and gay marriage something that is so plausible and contested that it has to be legislated against.

As for gays "choosing to be gay," my brother is gay and believe me, I knew from day 1. I was out playing football with my brothers and he was always interested in playing with dolls or watchign "My Little Pony' (no joke). Obviously, not all homosexual males are like that and I don't mean to stereotype, but he definately did not choose to be gay. Why would anyone choose to be gay? To be persecuted or have family members possibly ostracize you? When someone says to me that gays choose to be gay, I always wonder to myself, "Do you think that because you find other males' asses attractive?" or "Could you ever choose to have sex with a man?"

I gotta agree with you here. One of my best friends since childhood is gay. I've asked him about and he's told me that he always knew he was different, he just didn't have a word to put to it for a long time. Once he learned the word "gay" he realized that was the label that was going to be assigned to him. I've never had any issues with him or his sexual orientation. I can't understand people who do. Tim Hardaway is way outta line on this one and he deserved to get dropped as a representative of the NBA.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

What I don't understand is how so many minorities have such homophobic tendencies. As a minority myself, I am simply dumbfounded when my relatives make semi-bigoted comments about other minority groups (incl. homosexuals).

Yeah I find that to be quite strange too.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

The only favor Hardaway did to society was expose the ignorance that exists on the subject. I guess to say something so hatefull will atleast encourage others to roll their eyes at anyone who maintain prejudice against them.

Once again, if your not about the lifestyle, thats cool... But to say you hate the person.... not cool.

I don't mean to be a dick, but I've got several openly gay friends and they've got some shit to deal with. An interesting point that Amaechi made was when someone said that being gay was a choice. He simply said "why would I want to choose a lifestyle like this.... who would possibly want to choose this". I think people need to gain perspective on the issue before going all ape-shit and saying they "hate".

YOU TO, have the right to express your own opinion as well.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

What I don't understand is how so many minorities have such homophobic tendencies. As a minority myself, I am simply dumbfounded when my relatives make semi-bigoted comments about other minority groups (incl. homosexuals).

I have yet to meet the person that is completely without predjudice.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by Hog1

I have yet to meet the person that is completely without predjudice.

This is true, we all have prejudice. There really is no way to eliminate them, but we can put forth an effort to be conscious of our thoughts and try to hold ourselves to a higher standard than the culture around us.

[That Guy]

i really don't see why it even matters if someone is gay (unless, you know, you want to date them). hate is just another waste of time.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by Hog1

I have yet to meet the person that is completely without predjudice.

Yes, I agree, but predjuice and hate are two completley different things. I have predjuice, I wish I didnt, but I know I do,but I dont have hate.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I'm all for freedom of speech and I recognize that all people harbor prejudices, but there's world of a difference between harboring minor prejudices and saying that you "hate" X group or that you are _____phobic.

And, with regard to freedom of speech, I think a lot of people tend to forget that freedom of speech simply means that the government cannot stop people from speaking their minds. The freedom of speech does not immunize you from attacks from other people after you let crap flow from your lips. If someone wants to say something ignorant, then the government cannot stop them, but the public has every right to exercise ITS freedom of speech and bash someone for being an idiot.

Finally, there's a difference between not being PC (which is fine) and being an idiotic bigot. Hardaway was being an idiotic bigot.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

Yes, I agree, but predjuice and hate are two completley different things. I have predjuice, I wish I didnt, but I know I do,but I dont have hate.

That's a good point and a very important distinction to make. Just because he judges gay people, doesn't mean he should hate gay people.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

They were just talking about Hardaway's verbal diarrhea again on Sports Center and it got me thinking of something: does the media ask former/current players about their thoughts on subjects like the Amechi (sp?) thing because they really want insider opinions or because they're hoping someone will say something controversial and add fuel to the fire? Maybe I'm a cynic but I really think it's the latter.

[Big C]

you have the right to free speech, meaning you wont get prosecuted and put in prison for saying stuff like this. it doesnt mean society condones it and it certainly doesnt make it right.

[PFunk26]

i would certainly be weird if an active player came out, just think would they have a seperate locker room time or what? Hard to imagine how that would all pan out