Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player

[Hog1]

Wow?
Hardaway is not alone. As I said, he probably represents ahtheletes as a whole in this country. How many openly gay atheletes are active in their sport? So..........there are no gay atheletes? They do not want to deal with that stigma and the associated BS from all who would rain it on them. Not talking about it won't fix it. painful for some or not

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Hog1

Wow?
Hardaway is not alone. As I said, he probably represents ahtheletes as a whole in this country. How many openly gay atheletes are active in their sport? So..........there are no gay atheletes? They do not want to deal with that stigma and the associated BS from all who would rain it on them. Not talking about it won't fix it. painful for some or not

I said wow because it sounds like you are letting him off the hook by saying hate the message and not the messenger.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I said wow because it sounds like you are letting him off the hook by saying hate the message and not the messenger.

That's a hard call. I DO respect his standing up (later to break like a wuss under media scrutiny). I don't agree with the hate message, but he has the right to say so. I think having it out in the open will do more good than harm
Like I say, it's not my place to judge him, or the gay world in general. I do not agree with the gay lifestyle in general, but it does no harm to me. Live and let live. I try not hold on to a bunch of hate and a sundry of other useless emotions. Not always successful at this either

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by Hog1

That's a hard call. I DO respect his standing up (later to break like a wuss under media scrutiny). I don't agree with the hate message, but he has the right to say so. I think having it out in the open will do more good than harm
Like I say, it's not my place to judge him, or the gay world in general. I do not agree with the gay lifestyle in general, but it does no harm to me. Live and let live. I try not hold on to a bunch of hate and a sundry of other useless emotions. Not always successful at this either

So do you applaud someone that stands up and says they hate the blacks just because they "stood up"?

If you don't believe in the homosexual lifestyle that's one thing, but applauding the abuse of the first amendment because it's not politically correct? That's totally off base.

Yeah, you're not given the right to free speech for hate comments. Yeah, he does have the right to say that, but yeah, he's also a douchebag for saying it.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

So do you applaud someone that stands up and says they hate the blacks just because they "stood up"?

If you don't believe in the homosexual lifestyle that's one thing, but applauding the abuse of the first amendment because it's not politically correct? That's totally off base.

Yeah, you're not given the right to free speech for hate comments. Yeah, he does have the right to say that, but yeah, he's also a douchebag for saying it.

I cannot say that I would (as I personally don't want to listen to that) enjoy anyone parading around stating they hate blacks, etc.
As far as I know, they have the right to say it under the first amendment. The same way the KKK gets to march for all kinds of distastful things. Moreover, the issue is not really about what I like, or do not.
Hardaway did society a favor by shooting off his mouth, and bringing another human rights issue to the surface. Hiding our heads in the sand and hoping something will go away does not work.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by Hog1

Hardaway did society a favor by shooting off his mouth, and bringing another human rights issue to the surface. Hiding our heads in the sand and hoping something will go away does not work.

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".

[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?"

[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.