Educating ESPN.com Readers on the Dangers of Homophobia in Sports
November 23, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
Recently, our president, Jarrett Barrios, wrote an article for ESPN.com outlining the dangers of homophobia in sports. The piece began with a condensed version of the Larry Johnson saga, and then shifted into a detailed description of GLAAD’s Sports Media Program.
Barrios explains GLAAD’s zero-tolerance approach to Larry Johnson’s use of anti-gay slurs and his subsequent suspension from the Chiefs. Despite his personal punishment, we are disappointed that the NFL is not using this as an important educational tool on the dangers of anti-gay attitudes and words. The sports world remains a very hostile environment for LGBT players, coaches, fans and allies “because when anti-gay epithets go uncorrected, it sends a message that it’s OK to denigrate gay people and their families.”
GLAAD’s Sports Media Program will continue to address the needs of amateur and professional athletes, until “openly gay athletes will be cheered, booed and treated just the same as their teammates.”
The accessible and prominent article will reach a wide audience of readers and offers and hopefully spark conversations. The article demonstrates to LGBT readers that they have a voice within sports culture, but it also serves to change the hearts and minds of many avid fans.
Related Posts:UPDATE: Castor Semenya to Keep Gold Medal
November 19, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
This past August, Castor Semenya ran her 800-meter race in 1:55.45, faster than any other woman in the world this year. Her dramatic win and personal improvement elicited people to question her sex, which eventually led to an investigation. Reports of her gender-verification testing were leaked to the press saying that Semenya is intersex.
Today, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced that they will allow Semenya to keep the gold medal and prize money she won at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. The IAAF also made it clear that her official gender-verification testing results will remain confidential.
In a statement on their website, the South African Sports Ministry said “We have agreed with the IAAF that whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor. As such there will be no public announcement of what the panel of scientists has found. We urge all South Africans and other people to respect this professional ethical and moral way of doing things.”
Now Semenya can be recognized as simply an amazing competitor and running superstar.
Related Posts:“Language Expert” Frank Luntz Uses Anti-Gay Humor on CBS
November 17, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
Sunday, Dr. Frank Luntz appeared on NFL Today on CBS to discuss the communication skills of football players and coaches. Luntz is the author of several business books, including Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear. He also owns a company called “The Word Doctors”, which specializes in “message creation and image management”.
NFL Today invited Luntz to the program as a self-professed “language expert”, to determine which players communicated well, and which did not. One player that fell into the “bad” category was Terrell Owens. A short news clip of Owens shows him wearing sunglasses, a hat, and earrings in both ears.
Luntz expressed his disapproval of Owen’s appearance by saying that “millions of young people look to these football players as role models…lose the sunglasses, lose the hat, take it seriously.”
Another commentator asked Luntz what he thought of Owen’s earrings. Luntz’s snarky reply was “that may work in San Francisco.”
In one breath, Luntz speaks of being a good communicator and role model, and in the next, utters a slightly-veiled gay joke. It’s time that Luntz and CBS realize that men of all orientations wear earrings, that the LGBT community does not exist solely in San Francisco, and that the LGBT community can no longer be used as a punchline for tired old jokes.
GLAAD is reaching out to CBS Sports for an apology and to educate them on how words and images matter.
You can view the video here:
Chris Jericho Gives Insincere Apology After Using Anti-Gay Slur
November 5, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
WWE Wrestler, Chris Jericho, made an appearance at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival two weeks ago to promote his new movie, Albino Farm. On stage at the screening, Jericho made several offensive comments against Middle Easterners and the LGBT community.
Jericho repeatedly referred to the MC of the event as “Hadji” which prompted him to check Jericho’s cup for alcohol. In response, Jericho said “it’s apple juice, f*g.” Also, at the end of his stint on stage, Jericho announced the headline that he expected to see on T
MZ the following day: “Jericho Says Albinos are Gay.”
Just a few short months ago Jericho’s boss, Vince McMahon, apologized for his offensive language and agreed “that people should be more cognizant about their usage of the word ‘gay’”.
After being shown the video documenting his offensive language, Jericho said “I realize some inappropriate comments were made and I apologize if I offended anybody. Just know that everyone on stage was having a blast and we all shared a drink and a laugh after! The good news is I got my wish of being posted on TMZ.”
In response to Jericho’s behavior and apology, Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said, ”Just three months ago Chris Jericho’s boss and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon acknowledged to GLAAD that words matter. There is no time, context or occasion in which it is acceptable to utter racist and anti-gay slurs. Jericho’s hollow apology ‘if (he) offended anyone’ is a template used by many and is insincere and worn.”
Related Posts:Media Paying Attention to LGBT Sport Issues
November 4, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
The media is starting to pay close attention to stories surrounding LGBT athletes, fans and coaches. Within the past few days, there have been several reports drawing attention to anti-gay comments made in the sports world.
This is a big change from just a few years ago when, in 2006, Jay Mariotti was called a f***ing f*g by Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Many members of the press heard Guillen’s hateful words, but only one reported on it. Today, reports of homophobic behavior are more visible and abundant and journalists are paying close attention.
France
Louis Nicollin, the president of French soccer team, Montpellier, faces a possible two month suspension after using an anti-gay slur to insult another player. This past weekend, Montpellier lost 2-1 to Auxerre. After his team’s loss, Nicollin used an anti-gay term to describe Auxerre midfielder Benoit Pedretti. He also threatened Pedretti and told him that his athletes would “take care of him” when the teams play each other again early next year.
He has since apologized for the comment, but will still appear in front of the French Football Federation’s ethics commission on Nov. 16.
Denmark
A Danish soccer team, FC Midtjylland, has fired its star goalie, Arek Onyszko, for homophobic remarks published in his new autobiography. The book, F**king Polack, was released yesterday. In a detailed passage, Onyszko wrote “I hate gays, I really do. I think it’s f***ing disgusting to hear them talk to each other as if they are girls. I can’t be in the same room as someone who’s gay. Look at them kissing each other – it’s sickening.” He also likened gays to “vomit” and criticized female sports r
eporters.
Last year, Onyszko was fired from his former soccer team after being convicted of assaulting his ex-wife. He served three months in prison before signing with FC Midtjylland.
The team asked Onyszko to stop writing his memoir and focus on soccer, but the writing continued. FC Midtjylland’s Jens Ørgaard explained “We felt we did the right thing in the summer when we offered Arek Onyszko a new chance after his conviction. He was punished and like everyone else needed help to get back on his feet again. But lately he has abused our trust… despite warnings, he continued to work on the book project.”
Ørgaard had no idea the book was being published, and as a result, has released Onyszko.
Dallas
Outsports.com is reporting that Drew Gooden, a player for the Dallas Mavericks, used an anti-gay slur in referring to two Los Angeles Clippers fans after Saturday night’s game. Clippers fan, Chris Wylde, was sitting courtside with a friend and vocally enjoying the game. Afterwards, the two were souvenir shopping when Gooden walked by, pointed to Wylde and apparently said “there’s that fa**ot.” Next, he pointed to Wylde’s friend and said “there’s that other fa**ot.”
Wylde quickly e-mailed Mavericks’ coach Mark Cuban from his Blackberry to alert him to his player’s poor behavior. Cuban responded within minutes and replied “I appreciate you telling me. I will deal w drew.” On Sunday, Cuban told Outsports.com that he would like to confirm the comment before taking further action.
Kansas City
The Kansas City Chiefs reached a settlement with running back Larry Johnson, with regard to his recent use of several anti-gay slurs. After Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, filed an appeal, the Chiefs cut his suspension in half. As a result, Johnson will be docked one week’s pay, losing $315,000. He will still miss the game against Jacksonville this weekend.
Schaffer commented to the New York Times that “Larry apologized. He learned from it and hopefully other people learned from it. My hope is that people learn that something positive can come out of this and that there are words that should not be used because they demean people.”
Chicago
Along with a rise in the reporting of homophobic language and behavior, the media is also contributing to the positive representation of LGBT stories and people in sports.
In a deal that was finaliz
ed on Oct. 27, the Rickett’s family purchased the Chicago Cubs for $845 million. Laura Ricketts made history as the first openly LGBT Major League Baseball team owner. She also serves on the board of Lambda Legal, a legal organization that works for LGBT civil rights.
Ricketts spoke with The Windy City Times about her coming out experience: “I came out to my family I would say early to mid 30’s. I think for a long time I wasn’t really out to myself growing up in Omaha, Nebraska to a Catholic conservative family. It took me a while to come out to myself and not long after that I came out to them…they were all immediately supportive… I have been really really fortunate in that regard.”
The Ricketts will now begin their quest to lead the Cubs into a World Series for the first time since 1908.
USA
Finally, in an editorial, former professional hockey player Justin Bourne joined the ranks of Brendan Ayanbadejo and Scott Fujita in speaking out for LGBT equality. Bourne voiced his concerns about the treatment of LGBT people to USA Today in his article “It’s Time to End the use of Gay Slurs in Hockey.”
Bourne admits to using anti-gay slurs many times himself during his hockey career. In retrospect, he says that the prevalent anti-gay locker room atmosphere may cause many young, gay, talented players to “h[a]ng up their skates in favor of some lesser talent, strictly to find acceptance and peace of mind.”
Instead, Bourne hopes that soon these young players will have an openly gay, hockey-playing role model. He acknowledges that this player will need to be strong because “the first openly gay NHL star will elicit stereotypical responses but hopefully the 100th is just a guy who will show up in my columns for being ‘a completely overrated, third-line defensive specialist at best.’”
At the end of his article, Bourne is hopeful about positive changes and an LGBT-friendly locker room. “It’s time to acknowledge we’ve been unfair to the gay community, that the culture of our sport can be misogynistic, homophobic and cruel. More important, it’s time to make a stand that we want it to change. “
Hopefully other straight allies join Bourne’s call to arms. It’s a good first step, and the first of many that need to be taken in order to make locker rooms, playing fields and sporting venues a safe environment for LGBT athletes, coaches and fans.
Related Posts:UPDATE: Chiefs Suspend Larry Johnson
October 29, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
The Kansas City Chiefs released a statement yesterday announcing Larry Johnson had been issued a two-weeks suspension for “Conduct Detrimental to the Club”. He can return to practice and other team activities on November 9, the day after the Chiefs play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
.jpg)
Since this is a bye week for the Chiefs, Johnson will only sit out one game. In addition, he will not be paid for the duration of his suspension. The two week hiatus amounts to a loss in compensation for the running back, equivalent to about $660,000.
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, told the Kansas City Star that “we respectfully disagree this punishment doesn’t fit the action.” He plans to file an appeal with the Chiefs on behalf of Johnson.
The National Football League has not weighed in on Johnson’s status yet and may or may not discipline him separately.
GLAAD will continue to follow this story and provide updates.
Related Posts:UPDATE: Larry Johnson Apologizes for Use of Gay Slur
October 28, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
Kansas City Chiefs running back, Larry Johnson, issued a statement yesterday apologizing for his use of anti-gay epithets:
“First of all, I want to apologize to the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL, Commissioner Goodell, the Chiefs organization, Coa
ch Todd Haley, his staff, and my teammates for the words I used yesterday. I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.”
“I also want to apologize to all the kids who view athletes as role models. I was not a good role model yesterday and hopefully I can become a better role model. We all make mistakes, and the challenge is to learn from them. I will do my best to learn from this one as I move toward becoming a better person, teammate, and member of the Kansas City Chiefs team and community.”
Currently, the NFL is reviewing the situation while Johnson has been asked to refrain from participating in practice and other team activities.
In response, Jarrett Barrios, GLAAD’s president, explained that “Larry Johnson’s apology sends an important message that there is no excuse for using anti-gay epithets. We are continuing to call on the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs to use this unfortunate incident as a way to educate and start a dialogue with players and fans regarding the dangers of homophobia in sports.”
Related Posts:GLAAD Demands Action Against NFL Player Larry Johnson’s Use of Homophobic Slurs
October 27, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
Larry Johnson, a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, has uttered several anti-gay slurs within the past couple of days. GLAAD is demanding that the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League take disciplinary action.
Johnson’s tirade began with a Twitter post about his head coach, following a loss to San Diego. According to the Kansas City Star when reporters approached Johnson about his comment, he uttered a gay slur under his breath while telling them to “get out of here.”
Soon after, Johnson was at it again on Twitter, fighting with a fan. Yahoo Sports monitored the conversation and caught Johnson using the anti-gay slur again.
Additionally, Outsports.com explains that Johnson’s use of the phrase “Christopher Street boy” to describe the fan is yet another anti-gay slur.
Several other media outlets are covering Johnson’s hateful words. ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown described Johnson’s comment as insensitive, and NBC Action News Kansas City reported that his inflammatory remark crossed the line. Local CBS and ABC news channels are also following this story.
“All too often this is the word that is used to ridicule and harass young gay and transgender athletes on local sports fields across America” said Jarrett Barrios, President of GLAAD. “Professional athletes who use this word need to be held accountable for giving a license to youth to bully their peers. NFL officials and the Kansas City Chiefs need to take disciplinary action to condemn this and future uses of all anti-gay epithets.”
We are reaching out to the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL and will keep you updated.
Related Posts:“Training Rules” Screening in Seattle
October 22, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
Jennifer Harris on the court
On Saturday, October 24th, GLAAD and the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival brought to you by Three Dollar Bill Cinema are sponsoring a special screening of the film “Training Rules.” The film looks at how anti-LGBT attitudes and actions within women’s collegiate sports destroy the lives and dreams of many gifted athletes.
“Training Rules” chronicles women’s basketball coach, Rene Portland and her 27-year tenure at Pennsylvania State University, as well as several players who suffered under her deeply homophobic reign.
During her time as head coach, Portland had three rules: no drinking, no drugs, and no lesbians. Players were routinely threatened, and sometimes stripped of their college scholarships if they identified as lesbian, were suspected of being a lesbian, or even spoke to a lesbian.
In 2003, Jennifer Harris graduated from high school with the distinction of being the most decorated basketball player in her school’s history. More than 250 universities recruited her. Following her graduation, she accepted an athletic scholarship from PSU and became a Lady Lion. In March 2005, Harris was suddenly kicked off her beloved basketball team on suspicion she was a lesbian.
The following year, after dealing with bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide, Harris teamed up with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and filed charges against PSU and Coach Portland for discrimination based on sexual orientation, racism and gender stereotyping. Soon, six other talented female athletes stepped forward to validate Harris’ discrimination claim. The film ties together the lives of each of these women through the heart-breaking tale of how Portland and her homophobia destroyed their dreams of playing basketball.
The lawsuit lasted nearly two years and was eventually settled; Portland resigned from her position as Head Coach. Despite losing her chance to play in the WNBA, Harris is given the chance to inspire and motivate other colleges and athletes to stand up against discrimination and homophobia.
Immediately following the film, there will be a GLAAD-sponsored panel aimed at discussing homophobia in sports. Moderated by CR Douglas, panelists include film director Dee Morbacher, Karen Bryant, CEO of the Seattle Storm, and GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. Come listen and chat about how homophobia impacts athletes, sports and the spirit of competition.
Additionally, Jarrett Barrios will speak about how GLAAD has been helping with the fight to pass Referendum 71 to ensure the rights of same-sex couples stay intact in Washington State.
Related Posts:Another NFL Player is Stepping up for LGBT Equality
October 7, 2009 by Emily Witko, Sports Media Intern @ GLAAD
Scott Fujita, a linebacker for the currently undefeated New Orleans Saints, spoke candidly in an interview for the Huffington Post about why he is supporting the October 11th National Equality March for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights in Washington DC.
Fujita is not the first NFL player to speak out for the LGBT community. On September 2, 2009, GLAAD wrote that Brendon Ayanbadejo, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, expressed his support for marriage equality. Ayanbadejo predicts that “we will look back in 10, 20, 30 years and be amazed that gays and lesbians did not have the same rights as everyone else.”
Fujita says that he agrees with Ayanbadejo’s prediction, and explained to the Huffington Post that this is a cause he truly believes in, for several reasons.
Fujita was adopted as a child, and recently, he remembers being angered by legislation that was being proposed in Arkansas, which would make it impossible for single parents to adopt. He reasoned that this initiative was also aimed at denying adoption to same-sex couples, thus reducing the number of possible safe, loving homes for children. Fujita is shocked by the idea that “the concern with one’s sexual orientation…outweighs what’s really important, and that’s finding safe homes for children, for our children.”
Also, Fujita was asked if he was concerned that his support for marriage equality would lead to rumors regarding his own sexuality. With confidence, Fujita responded that he has “no concern about that whatsoever. I know who I am.”
Finally, Fujita expresses hope for the future by remaining optimistic about his quieter colleagues: “I know for the most part, guys are a lot more tolerant than they get credit for but they’re not comfortable yet speaking out about it. It’s going to come in time. By in large, it’s an opinion that’s shared by more people than are realized.”
Here’s hoping the courageous efforts of Fujita and Ayanbadejo will soon allow for more players to lend their voices in support of marriage equality.
Related Posts:
