[highflyer0Participant]

When Michael Sam came out as gay, there were thousands of comments on ESPN posts saying things like "who cares?".  Now I see the same thing on the posts about Derrick Gordon.  I get that people say "who cares" in an attempt to show that sexual orientation is no big deal.  However, I think it’s actually a good thing, at least for now, that it is news when a high profile player comes out.  I have a friend who just came as gay a few months ago and I know it was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do in his entire life.  It took him 15 minutes of deep breathing and sweating before he could even tell me why he had wanted to talk to me.  

Hopefully one day it won’t matter whether an athlete is gay, but for now I think it’s great for all of those who are still dealing with the fear of coming out as gay to see athletes that they admire acknowledging the fact that it’s okay to be yourself.  It shows them that they are not alone and that they don’t have to pretend to be something they are not just because of the profession or hobbies that they may have.  It may not seem like relevant news to most of us, but I would be shocked if Michael Sam and Derrick Gordon haven’t inspired others to come out as well  and finally live the life that they want to live.  

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 3 years talking about whether Brett Farve is going to retire

1 year on A Rod Roiding

3 months on Kurt Shillings bloody sock

Then why can we take some time to actually talk about a topic of national importance? It’s not supposed to matter, but it does. Personally, I rather hear about gay athletes coming out and being role models then checking out ESPN’s "Heat Index" dedicated to only one NBA team…

[ChewyParticipant]

 3 years talking about whether Brett Farve is going to retire

1 year on A Rod Roiding

3 months on Kurt Shillings bloody sock

Then why can we take some time to actually talk about a topic of national importance? It’s not supposed to matter, but it does. Personally, I rather hear about gay athletes coming out and being role models then checking out ESPN’s "Heat Index" dedicated to only one NBA team…

[highflyer0Participant]

 I completely agree.  I think people are understating the importance of these announcements just because they don’t understand how hard it is to live a lie for so many years.  Eventually it will become redundant but we only have 1 openly gay college basketball player and 1 NFL prospect, so it’s not like it’s commonplace.

[highflyer0Participant]

 I completely agree.  I think people are understating the importance of these announcements just because they don’t understand how hard it is to live a lie for so many years.  Eventually it will become redundant but we only have 1 openly gay college basketball player and 1 NFL prospect, so it’s not like it’s commonplace.

[Ghost01Participant]

 Here is your answer: The stupid and ignorant white people realized "But the bible says this is wrong" was a terrible excuse, and that they had no other excuse to diminish something that made them feel uncomfortable.

So now they are all playing the "who cares" card, acting like they don’t understand why its a big deal, when their judgmental mentality and bigotry is the precise reason it is a big deal.

Do yourself a favor, and ignore those comments, they are coming from worthless losers that are all mostly virgin rednecks who think its the 1800s. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 It’s not only ignorant white people, in fact that was a completely ignorant statement.  There are ignorant religious people and non religious people, black, white, asian, muslim, islamic…. all races and all religions.  Chris Broussard is the only reporter that comes to mind when spewing bigotry and I sure as hell am not claiming him to be white.  Think about what you say before spitting further ignorance.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 It’s not only ignorant white people, in fact that was a completely ignorant statement.  There are ignorant religious people and non religious people, black, white, asian, muslim, islamic…. all races and all religions.  Chris Broussard is the only reporter that comes to mind when spewing bigotry and I sure as hell am not claiming him to be white.  Think about what you say before spitting further ignorance.

[The QParticipant]

 Frankly your comments only prove you’re just as big a bigot as anyone. 

Just on the religion side. Not the sexualty side. 

So….congrats on your hypocrisy? 

 

 

 

 

[Ghost01Participant]

I really don’t care.

I believe that anyone, religious or not, saying that someone shouldn’t be gay because the bible says so is stupid.

Call me a bigot. 

If you honestly believe that 2000+ years ago the world was anything like how it is now, you are just stupid.

If God is the person all Christian followers believe him to be, do you really think he would disapprove of people for being born a certain way that has lead to certain feelings that are far from a choice? That is what is ignorant. There are plenty – PLENTY of faithful people who have supported Jason Collins, or Michael Sam, or any other player that wishes to come out, because they aren’t uncomfortable about it. That is what the bible thing is, it has nothing to do with God or church, it has to do with them looking for a reason to hate someone because they are uncomfortable with gay people.

There is a complete difference between (a) People telling a gay athlete he is wrong because the Bible said so (That’s bigotry) and (b) Me saying people are stupid for saying this (Not bigotry – those people can believe in whatever they want to, its judging another individual for his interests that bothers me).

Sorry if some took too much offense to the "white" comment. I’m white. It wasn’t meant that seriously. Lots of commenters with their fishing FB photos are culprits to some of the ignorant comments I have seen. Sorry. 

[Ghost01Participant]

I really don’t care.

I believe that anyone, religious or not, saying that someone shouldn’t be gay because the bible says so is stupid.

Call me a bigot. 

If you honestly believe that 2000+ years ago the world was anything like how it is now, you are just stupid.

If God is the person all Christian followers believe him to be, do you really think he would disapprove of people for being born a certain way that has lead to certain feelings that are far from a choice? That is what is ignorant. There are plenty – PLENTY of faithful people who have supported Jason Collins, or Michael Sam, or any other player that wishes to come out, because they aren’t uncomfortable about it. That is what the bible thing is, it has nothing to do with God or church, it has to do with them looking for a reason to hate someone because they are uncomfortable with gay people.

There is a complete difference between (a) People telling a gay athlete he is wrong because the Bible said so (That’s bigotry) and (b) Me saying people are stupid for saying this (Not bigotry – those people can believe in whatever they want to, its judging another individual for his interests that bothers me).

Sorry if some took too much offense to the "white" comment. I’m white. It wasn’t meant that seriously. Lots of commenters with their fishing FB photos are culprits to some of the ignorant comments I have seen. Sorry. 

[The QParticipant]

 Frankly your comments only prove you’re just as big a bigot as anyone. 

Just on the religion side. Not the sexualty side. 

So….congrats on your hypocrisy? 

 

 

 

 

[Ghost01Participant]

 Here is your answer: The stupid and ignorant white people realized "But the bible says this is wrong" was a terrible excuse, and that they had no other excuse to diminish something that made them feel uncomfortable.

So now they are all playing the "who cares" card, acting like they don’t understand why its a big deal, when their judgmental mentality and bigotry is the precise reason it is a big deal.

Do yourself a favor, and ignore those comments, they are coming from worthless losers that are all mostly virgin rednecks who think its the 1800s. 

[HitsterParticipant]

 A person’s race, religion or sexuality should have no impact on any sporting career or other career they reasonably choose to follow.

[HitsterParticipant]

 A person’s race, religion or sexuality should have no impact on any sporting career or other career they reasonably choose to follow.

[butidonthavemoney]

You don’t have to celebrate openly gay athletes if you disagree with their sexuality, but I think ignoring the strength it takes for athletes to come out in the hyper-masculine culture that surrounds them makes you look foolish.

This shouldn’t matter, but it certainly does (at least for now). Respect to Derrick Gordon, Michael Sam, and Jason Collins.

[butidonthavemoney]

You don’t have to celebrate openly gay athletes if you disagree with their sexuality, but I think ignoring the strength it takes for athletes to come out in the hyper-masculine culture that surrounds them makes you look foolish.

This shouldn’t matter, but it certainly does (at least for now). Respect to Derrick Gordon, Michael Sam, and Jason Collins.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

I understand that it’s big deal for other gay people that high level athletes are coming out, but me personally it isn’t. It must be hard for them to do something like this and it’s a great thing they are but it doesn’t have that much effect on me.

I’d rather play with a gay hard worker that does what it takes to win, instead of a guy that thinks he is Kobe and takes fadeaway jump shots every time they touch the ball.

[MopgrassParticipant]

People who say, “I just don’t want the whole issue put in my face,” don’t understand oppression or what he human spirit needs to overcome that oppression.

[MopgrassParticipant]

People who say, “I just don’t want the whole issue put in my face,” don’t understand oppression or what he human spirit needs to overcome that oppression.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

I understand that it’s big deal for other gay people that high level athletes are coming out, but me personally it isn’t. It must be hard for them to do something like this and it’s a great thing they are but it doesn’t have that much effect on me.

I’d rather play with a gay hard worker that does what it takes to win, instead of a guy that thinks he is Kobe and takes fadeaway jump shots every time they touch the ball.

[GrandmamaParticipant]

 You’ll know we’ve made progress as a society when a pro athlete’s sexual orientation isn’t news.  I don’t care who’s gay or who’s straight, and neither should anyone else.  Really doesn’t make a difference to me,  I’ll judge them the same way.

[GrandmamaParticipant]

 You’ll know we’ve made progress as a society when a pro athlete’s sexual orientation isn’t news.  I don’t care who’s gay or who’s straight, and neither should anyone else.  Really doesn’t make a difference to me,  I’ll judge them the same way.

[tuck243Participant]

 I think everyone is taking this approach and I think it’s a wrong thing to do.  You might not have a problem with someone that is openly gay, but other people do.  For that reason alone it’s going to be and should be big news.

 That’s the same for racism…  I hear this often from white friends "I don’t see color"…  That’s BS.  You might not be a racist or a bigot but don’t ignore the fact that racism exits.  Far too many statistics show that "white privilege" is a thing and by choosing to ignore our differences is completely wrong.  

So yes, it’s ok to not have an issue with homosexuals but please do acknowledge who they are and how big this is.  A total of 2 active players came out and now everyone is tired of it? 2!! Although gay rights isn’t the same as the civil rights movement, some things are parallel.  

[tuck243Participant]

 I think everyone is taking this approach and I think it’s a wrong thing to do.  You might not have a problem with someone that is openly gay, but other people do.  For that reason alone it’s going to be and should be big news.

 That’s the same for racism…  I hear this often from white friends "I don’t see color"…  That’s BS.  You might not be a racist or a bigot but don’t ignore the fact that racism exits.  Far too many statistics show that "white privilege" is a thing and by choosing to ignore our differences is completely wrong.  

So yes, it’s ok to not have an issue with homosexuals but please do acknowledge who they are and how big this is.  A total of 2 active players came out and now everyone is tired of it? 2!! Although gay rights isn’t the same as the civil rights movement, some things are parallel.  

[The QParticipant]

 This is actually true, particularly on the legal level. 

It’s why gays aren’t, and should not, be treated the same way as race issues by the courts. 

You can’t just look at someone and see they are gay, and gays haven’t faced anything remotely close to what blacks or even asians faced (go look up a case called Yick Wo). 

The whole point of how they are treated by the courts is based on historical issues. 

Blacks were not treated as people (well 3/5 i guess, but not a full person) and didn’t have access to the legislature. And that’s without getting into the whole slavery, humans bonded in chains thing…

Gays have never come close to facing either of these issues. Which is why I really dislike when people try to make the race comparision. It’s like apples and sheet metal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The QParticipant]

 This is actually true, particularly on the legal level. 

It’s why gays aren’t, and should not, be treated the same way as race issues by the courts. 

You can’t just look at someone and see they are gay, and gays haven’t faced anything remotely close to what blacks or even asians faced (go look up a case called Yick Wo). 

The whole point of how they are treated by the courts is based on historical issues. 

Blacks were not treated as people (well 3/5 i guess, but not a full person) and didn’t have access to the legislature. And that’s without getting into the whole slavery, humans bonded in chains thing…

Gays have never come close to facing either of these issues. Which is why I really dislike when people try to make the race comparision. It’s like apples and sheet metal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 now that we’ve officially crossed the gay athlete border, next step is the gay superstar athlete border. Someone who is an mvp candidate and will be marketed heavily. 

[llperez]

 now that we’ve officially crossed the gay athlete border, next step is the gay superstar athlete border. Someone who is an mvp candidate and will be marketed heavily. 

[HaleParticipant]

 Not a superstar but I think Derrick Gordon will be the most successful of the three who have come out so far. I mean Collins is a career backup who came out well into his career and Sam is a fringe draft prospect. Gordon has two more years of college on a pretty good U-Mass team who just lost their best guard and he’s already been a good contributor so far.

[HaleParticipant]

 Not a superstar but I think Derrick Gordon will be the most successful of the three who have come out so far. I mean Collins is a career backup who came out well into his career and Sam is a fringe draft prospect. Gordon has two more years of college on a pretty good U-Mass team who just lost their best guard and he’s already been a good contributor so far.

[Author]

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