For any NBA players out there who were considering the sound financial move of revealing their homosexuality to the world, here's one reason to reconsider: someone might kill you.At least, someone might threaten to kill you. I tend to think that threats of this nature are usually from cowardly homophobes. But real or not, John Amaechi, the former NBA player who recently told the world he was gay, received these death threats.
It's just odd because two weeks ago, no one gave a damn about John Amaechi. Even hardcore NBA fans ... if anyone ever thought of John Amaechi, it was just something like, "Oh yeah, John Amaechi ... boy, I really could care less about this guy." And now, people feel strongly enough about him to want to put a bullet in him. Fantastic.
I'm still really rooting for an active gay athlete to come out ... I truly hope it happens, because it's the only way that the small-minded out there, like Shavlik Randolph, for example, are going to get over the juvenile "this guy will stare at my package and try to rape me in the shower!" mentality.
The death threats sort of bring back into focus the reality of the situation, though. It wouldn't be easy for a guy to do.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ok, we always knew there are some very ignorant and vile people out there who still are captive to irrational bigotry. However, the message should be to be clear: homophobic discrimination will not be tolerated in society nor sports. We must make a united front against those who would intimidate, harass people for who they are. Bigots have always tried to stop in the way of inevitable progress, but real men stand up and say you will not intimidate me or others from a more just, equitable society. Professional athletes are adults. Don't let cowardly bigots keep you from being open and honest about who you are. We should push back against these ignorant bigots.
I hate to hear that someone, anyone, would threaten John Amaechi's life. However, I am one of those 'Christians' that Mr. Amaechi mentioned in a recent comment, when he claimed that 'we would be tearing pages out of the Bible and throwing at people like him, while we would eagerly watch two lesbians kissing'. Interesting thought. Since I am pretty sure that 'all' Christians are included in his idea of what 'we' would prefer. I do not think that adhering to the Biblical standard of sexual conduct makes me a 'homophobe', since I do not go about attacking or otherwise infringing on the rights of gay people -- however, I do believe that I have the right not to express approval of homosexuality. It seems more the case these days that if you, as a straight person are not exuberant over someones' revelation that they are gay, and everything about that revelation to follow, you are a 'homophobe'. You have the right to insist that I do not interfere with your life -- but you do NOT have the right to label me because I don't feel about your life as you see fit.
If straight guy's do not want to play sports(or whatever) with homosexuals, that is their right. If homosexuals want to play basketball(or whatever) then thats their right. Every one has their own rights. So there should be a league of all straights, a league with homos, and a league with both. This way the market(public) is truly served and all people now have an option. Nothing should be shoved down anyones throat(unless they want it).
I'm liberal and consider myself to be open-minded, but America is not ready for a homosexual athlete who's playing currently to come out in the open in a major team sport such MLB, the NBA, NHL, and especially football. We all might think we are ready to hear it, but the thought of a gay athlete coming out is a terrifying notion to a lot of people.
I will take a thick skinned person to do it, and they might have to pay a huge price, but the world will be better or it.
I wrote this on this topic in my blog - http://oriolepost.blogspot.com/2007/02/thoughts-on-john-amaechi-and-american.html
This is awful. 1st of all, do people know that he was born in Britain?
So maybe he’s not really gay. Maybe everyone just assumed that because he’s a huge basketball player that enjoys to stick his pinky in the air while sipping tea with crumpets.
Okay, fine. He's gay.
What's really tragic here is that Amaechi's career was hampered because he suffered from repeated groin pull injuries. Who knew they were caused by his boyfriend?!
People who actually want to hurt another person because of their sexual orientation are pathetic and are usually in-the-closet themselves. They are scared to admit to themselves that they would enjoy Broadway musicals and hairy man ass.
It is terrifying. Shaking your head sorrowfully saying that it's a wicked world with many ignorant people, while obviously well-meaning, is ineffectual. There are violent psychotics who'll kill people on impulse because they see that this society seems to give them licence to do so with impunity. I'm a single guy and I've been attacked by strangers five times simply because they thought I was gay. Even the suspicion of being gay because I was never seen shagging a bird in public makes someone like me a target.
Im not shocked at all to here of death threats. I feel he did do the right thing by comming out. Gays who chose to stay in the closet for work/family/church truly are hurting themselves. Its going to be hard Amaechi for sometime. But he will soon have a true life without lies and fears of unknown. I would rather know who are friends or foes. As for, Hardaway remarks. I heard it all befor. These so called butch straight men who cant be anywhere near gays. Its because they fear what they are. Hardaway is as queer as an OZ episoid. The more a guy says he hate gays and they make him sick the more he wishes he could be them.
Wow, i am amazed at some of the homophobic comments here, the only difference between a Homosexual man and a Heterosexual man is who he finds attractive and shares his bed with, physical effectiveness in a sport is not an aspect to be looked at, and the chap who thinks us brits sit here with our small fingers up drinking tea and eating crumpets is quite incorrect, we still eat burgers and fries like you guys (just not as big or as many)and even better to decide Johns groin injuries are as a result of lovemaking with his boyfriend?!? i wonder if you realise quite how ridiculous you sound. I always think people who have issues with race, sexuality or religion have a very empty life and a very empty brain, and whats better you are teaching children to be narrow minded when in reality they need preparing for the big world and all the different people in it - not just the box you live in.
i agree with everything tim harway said. gay people are an abomination to this earth and should not be. its not ignorant what he is saying he is just following the word of the lord which is right. if gay people want to play a sport then let them form there own league somewhere else. and i hate when people call us homophobs, i dont fear gay people i just dont like them period.