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Post by bluepride on Dec 12, 2012 13:15:09 GMT -5
Former NY Rangers agitator Sean Avery the unlikely leader in the fight for gay rights in sports Sean Avery figures there is one matter that hasn’t been addressed at the NHL labor negotiations: gay slurs by players. “He’s the worst,” Avery said of Gary Bettman, on this issue. “My belief is the responsibility lies with the leagues, the way they discipline players, the position they take and use it in every-day incidents. One guy’ll get slapped with a fine, the next day nothing will happen. There needs to be consistency.” Avery can attest firsthand to the erratic standards employed by the NHL. In 2010, James Wisniewski was suspended for his use of a lewd, anti-gay gesture toward Avery. But a year later, Bettman did not punish Wayne Simmonds after Avery reported to the league that Simmonds had dropped the homophobic “F” bomb. “They said there wasn’t sufficient evidence, but it’s on YouTube as clear as day,” Avery said. Avery has been an unexpected advocate for gay rights in recent years, a board member of Athlete Ally, a group of straight athletes devoted to eradicating homophobia in sports. While the former Ranger player was once suspended himself for using derogatory language toward a woman, nobody can now question his dedication to this issue. Avery has lent his backing to the musical, “Bare,” playing at New World Stages, which features the story of a gay jock in a bullying society. Avery even traveled to Albany to lobby Republican state officials on gay marriage rights. “Maybe it’s because when I was such a bully when I had my uniform on, that when I took it off I felt the need to stand up against the bully,” Avery said. Read article: Former NY Rangers agitator Sean Avery the unlikely leader in the fight for gay rights in sports
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Post by bluepride on Mar 25, 2013 14:32:06 GMT -5
Gay NFL player ready to come out in ‘next few months A football player is preparing to come out as gay, according to reports. According to CBS Sports Mike Freeman, a gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly in the next few months, and after doing so attempt to continue his career. He said: ‘I'm told this player feels the time is now for someone to take this step -- despite homophobic remarks from San Francisco 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver and the controversy arising recently at the Indianapolis Scouting combine, when prospects were asked questions about their sexuality ‘This player's true concern, I'm told, is not the reaction inside an NFL locker room but outside of it. ‘The player fears he will suffer serious harm from homophobic fans, and that is the only thing preventing him from coming out. My sources will not say who this alleged player is.’ There has never been an openly gay male sportsman in any of the major American team sports, but the information is coming from several current and former players. Read article: Gay NFL player ready to come out in ‘next few monthsI heard about this a few hours ago on a sports radio station. What I liked was how naturally the host was using the correct terminology and didn't sound uncomfortable about the subject at all. In fact, he thought it was a great idea and was 100% supportive. He intimated that anyone who would have a problem with this, whether player or fan, should grow the hell up. Personally, if it does happen, it should happen closer to football season to make the most impact. And as the radio guy said, once the guy comes out he's going to be a household name. Let's see what happens. I'm wondering who it is. It might not be a big star but I'm pretty sure he'll be a big name when and if it happens!
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Post by edmontongreg on Apr 23, 2013 12:56:50 GMT -5
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Post by bluepride on Apr 29, 2013 14:48:19 GMT -5
It Has Happened! An active professional sports player has come out, surprising everyone when we thought it would be a group of football players! While I personally think it is AWESOME, I don't think of it as a "Jackie Robinson Moment" because Jackie did what he did so long ago and he remains "Groundbreaker #1" in my book!! But I'm extremely happy about Collins coming out! One more box checked off on our checklist of things yet to be accomplished.
Now I want to see his colleagues on and off the court put their money where their mouths are. So many have said they's be "supportive". Let's sit back and see just how supportive they actually will be. Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now This story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated. I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay. I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand. My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons. I've played for six pro teams and have appeared in two NBA Finals. Ever heard of a parlor game called Three Degrees of Jason Collins? If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates. Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates. Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful. Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided. The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. "I've known you were gay for years," she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin. In her presence I ignored my censor button for the first time. She gave me support. The relief I felt was a sweet release. Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know -- I baked for 33 years. When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue. I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too." READ ARTICLE: Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now
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Post by bluepride on Apr 29, 2013 20:02:54 GMT -5
I'm a little verklempt! I'm watching baseball. The Mets vs Miami. The subject of Jason Collins coming out comes up. I've never in my life heard the word "GAY" used so much during a professional ball game. Nothing but major kudos and praise. Saying it's about time and quoting tweets from professional sports figures from all over the country. In interviews with some of the Mets players it was revealed that one of the pitcher's uncles is gay and the guy loves his uncle so much. Also I may have heard that one of the other players has a sister who is a lesbian. NOTHING BUT SUPPORT! The announcers agreed about how it's past time for this to have happened and started talking about Glenn Burke who was a player about 30 years ago who passed away about 17 years or so ago. He was gay. Everyone knew it but he didn't officially come out till after his playing days. All in all, it was a great 5 or more minutes where the affirmation was coming at me from all directions! It was great!!!!
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Post by TheBear on Apr 29, 2013 20:13:49 GMT -5
I had to Google it because I wasn't sure just what year it was that Jackie Robinson was hired by a major league. Wikipedia is such an unreliable source but it is quick. I recalled the event in 1947 but, at that time, I was busy learning to ride my bicycle with training wheels. One line in Wikipedia I found seems to tie the significance between Robinson being hired by a team and Collins coming out on his own... As the first major league team to play a black man since the 1880s, the Dodgers ended racial segregation that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues for six decades.
As an old ursine on the cusp of starting his eighth decade on Terra Firma, I watch as we shall now witness the progression of viewpoint and which progresses more/faster... the support of teammates and players, or support of fans and the public. Which, if either, is a Lagging Indicator and which is a Leading Indicator?
To validate the "news" of and from Jason Collins, and to celebrate Allies, the BluePride break room is featuring Chocolate/Vanilla marble cupcakes with Rainbow Sprinkles!
Ursus Eternalus
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2013 11:18:49 GMT -5
This is a great day in professional sports. He is standing on the shoulders of the countless gay activists that came before him. I wish him luck.
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Post by edmontongreg on Apr 30, 2013 13:49:42 GMT -5
Some guy in the NYT is making a big thing out of gays making a big thing about coming out. Well until we have the same rights to walk down the street hand in hand, without people being audible or protecting their kids. Until some boss some place refer to it directly or indirectly as to it being a performance or team issue. Then I think that they should be publicized. When everyone feels comfortable enough to do it or to quote Texans 'It ain't no thing'. Then maybe the publicity came stop. But as long as teens are still offing themselves due to not fitting in and sexuality is the reason. Announce away.
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Post by edmontongreg on Apr 30, 2013 22:09:08 GMT -5
Some people have been all over the Collins thing, comparing him to Tebow. They are upset that people were made him being so demonstrative on his love of Jesus. They state it is unAmerican, unChristian to chastise Tebow for PDA. The critics are all over Collins, well I am sure that he is not going to do anything resembling this when he gets a one, two or three pointer Attachments:
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Post by edmontongreg on Feb 10, 2014 15:39:21 GMT -5
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Post by hcsodale on Feb 10, 2014 19:40:03 GMT -5
He's 6'2", 250 lbs, built, College graduate, well spoken, not asking for anything but to be judged on his ability to play football. What's not to like? I wish him the best.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 10, 2014 20:59:42 GMT -5
You summed it up perfectly, Dale. I hope for only the best for him.
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Post by edmontongreg on Feb 12, 2014 19:12:54 GMT -5
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Post by bluepride on Feb 12, 2014 20:09:00 GMT -5
Fantastic! Now.....this news video clip is good because it shows that things are changing from what some people would think are places that are filled with knuckle draggers. In other words, gay people think that everyone who isn't some ultra liberal, politically correct tree hugger has no capacity for common sense. I know, especially being in the world of law enforcement, that there are a lot of straight-laced non-liberal types who have absolutely no problem with gays and the issues that come up in the gay world. Things are changing as time goes on and that is good. People shouldn't be surprised by this anymore. I know I'm not. There will always be those who'd make negative, ignorant statements. Hell....we have people like that in our own community. Don't we?......DON'T WE? You know we do. But there are so so many people who have come a long way in their thinking. Sometimes things take time to get better. But as time goes on, I've seen people come to terms with past opinions and drop those old opinions like a hot potato.
Assuming Sam gets signed by an NFL team, I hope he's allowed to concentrate on his job and career and not appear at every parade or awards dinner. Let him become the best professional football player he can be and make his community proud. He doesn't have to be another poster boy. I hope he doesn't get sidetracked by publicity and glamor. Let him deal with any possible non-acceptance or locker room jibes by showing how good he is on the field. That would be the best way to shut any detractors up.
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Post by edmontongreg on Feb 15, 2014 12:12:15 GMT -5
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